Is the "which" needed in this example?

Question

I was warmed to read of your committed support for international programs, and I am assured the decade-long relationship Boston University is proud to share with your institution can only strengthen as a result.

I was warmed to read of your committed support for international programs. I am assured the decade-long relationship, which Boston University is proud to share with your institution, can only strengthen as a result.
Is the which necessary?Admitting my grammar skills are not the best, but the first example just seems to flow better to my ears

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

yes, it is needed but it makes it sound like you are writing on behalf of Boston University.

BillJ · Answer

No, it's not necessary - it's optional. In your example, the bracketed relative clause is of the integrated (defining/restrictive) kind:

I was warmed to read of your committed support for international programs. I am assured the decade-long relationship [which Boston University is proud to share ___ with your institution] can only strengthen as a result.

The rule with integrated relatives is that the relative word (which, who etc), is omissible unless it is the subject of the relative clause. In your example, it is the object, so it is optional. I've inserted a ____ gap notation to indicate the 'grammatically correct' position of "which" (i.e. the decade-long relationship) in the clause, which clearly shows that it is the object of the verb "share": proud to share the decade-long relationship.

By the way, in your second example (the one with which), you separated the relative clause with commas. Ditch them - commas are not permitted with integrated relatives.

BillJ

Is the "which" needed in this example?

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