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Bee paint Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Further Ambiguity in Relative Clauses

Hey there!

My comment does not appear in my original post, that's why I try it this way.

I would be gladful if anyone of you could correct me if I'm right. It's about ambiguity in defining and non-defining relative clauses (it's British English):


1) Seller is the parent company of the Parts group which is active in the business of machine components.

2) Seller is the parent company of the Parts group, which is active in the business of machine components.

3) Seller, which is active in the business of machine components, is the parent company of the Parts group .

4) Seller is the parent company of the Parts group that is active in the business of machine components.


In my opinion 1) and 4) "which is active in the business of machine components" could refers to Seller or Parts group --> ambiguous.

2) "which is active in the business of machine components" refers solely to Parts group.

3) "which is active in the business of machine components" refers solely to Seller.


By the way, is there a difference when I use which and if in a defining relative clause? I would be really gladful if anyone of you could help me!

  

Top answer

1) Seller is the parent company of the Parts group, (missing comma) which is active in the business of machine components. Seller is the parent company of the Parts group. The Parts group makes machine components.

— AlpheccaStars

  • 1) Seller is the parent company of the Parts group, (missing comma) which is active in the business of machine components.
  • Seller is the parent company of the Parts group.
  • The Parts group makes machine components.
  • Note: In American English, "which" is used for non-defining clauses.
  • The clause is set off with commas from the rest of the sentence.
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1 Answers
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1) Seller is the parent company of the Parts group, (missing comma) which is active in the business of machine components.

Seller is the parent company of the Parts group. 
The Parts group makes machine components.

Note: In American English, "which" is used for non-defining clauses.  The clause is set off with commas from the rest of the sentence.

2) Same as

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