It is the author's choice which to use

Question

"which" is an the object of the relative clause, which is the subject of the relative clause 'which to use'?"It is the author's choice which to use, but if you would like a guideline..."

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Tara2"which" is an the object of the relative clause, which is the subject of the relative clause 'which to use'?
It is the author's choice which to use ...

No. There's no relative clause there. This is a case of extraposition.

Start with the following, in which an interrogative content clause (an indirect question) serves as subject. That clause comes from the question Which one should he use?

Which one he should use is the author's choice.

The pattern is Subject, Linking verb, Subject complement

Note: There is no "the choice which ...", as in a relative clause. Nothing is modifying "choice" here. "choice" is at the end of the sentence.

Substitute "it" for the subject and move the subject to the end. (This is the extraposition step.)

It is the author's choice which one he should use.

Abbreviate the indirect question with an infinitive. This also solves the problem of whether the author is a man or a woman by removing 'he'.

It is the author's choice which to use.

Done.

CJ

It is the author's choice which to use

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