Ambiguity Relative Clauses

Question

Hey there!I have a question about ambiguity of defining and non-defining relative clauses. The question is taken from an exercise:In which example sentence are Confirmed Orders unambiguously not subject to Section 4.7?The sentences are:1) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders which are subject to Section 4.3.2) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders that are subject to Section 4.3.3) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders, which are subject to Section 4.3.I know that sentence 3) is right but why? I would be very thankful if anyone of you could help me.Cheers!

Bee paint · Accepted Answer

Hey there!

I have a question about ambiguity in defining and non-defining relative clauses. The question is taken from an exercise:

In which example sentences are Confirmed Orders unambiguously not subject to Section 4.7?

The sentences are:

1) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders which are subject to Section 4.3.

2) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders that are subject to Section 4.3.

3) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders, which are subject to Section 4.3.

I know that sentence 3) is right but why? I would be thankful if anyone of you could help me.

Cheers!

AlpheccaStars · Answer

bee paint1) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders which are subject to Section 4.3.

In American English, "which" is used for non-defining relative clauses, so a comma is required.

The sentence requires either a comma, or substitution of "that" for "which."

bee paint2) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders that are subject to Section 4.3.

This implies that there are two types (Say Type A and Type B) of "Confirmed Orders." Type A Confirmed Orders (the ones subject to Section 4.3) are not subject to Section 4.7.

Type B Confirmed Orders (the ones not subject to Section 4.3) are subject to Section 4.7.

Removing the defining clause changes the meaning of the sentence.

bee paint3) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders, which are subject to Section 4.3.

All confirmed orders are subject to Section 4.3. They are not subject to Section 4.7.

The non-defining clause can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.

3) This Section 4.7 applies to all Orders other than Confirmed Orders. (Incidentally, Confirmed Orders are subject to Section 4.3.)

Ambiguity Relative Clauses

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