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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Pattern with relative clauses

I was writing the below sentence, when I had a revelation

1) All of the following are correct, aren't they? Which are best?

a) This is followed by an indicative verb, which we are unsure about the tense of.



b) This is followed by an indicative verb, of which we are unsure about the tense.



c) This is followed by an indicative verb, the tense of which we are unsure about.



d) This is followed by an indicative verb, about the tense of which we are unsure.



e) This is followed by an indicative verb, unsure about the tense of which we are.



f) This is followed by an indicative verb, we are unsure about the tense of which.

2) Can we do the same with other prepositions? Why, or why not?

This is the house, in which we live.



This is the house, we live in which.



OR





This is the story which I knew nothing about.



This is the story about which I knew nothing.



This is the story, I knew nothing about which.


It seems to me that words can be moved to the front of the relative clause only if they're objects of prepositions or verbs. Is this right?
  

Top answer

Hi, I was writing the below sentence, when I had a revelation 1) All of the following are correct, aren't they? No. Here's my take, based on what sounds correct to my ear.

  • Hi, I was writing the below sentence, when I had a revelation 1) All of the following are correct, aren't they?
  • No.
  • Here's my take, based on what sounds correct to my ear.
  • Which are best?
  • a) This is followed by an indicative verb, which we are unsure about the tense of.
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4 Answers
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Hi,

I was writing the below sentence, when I had a revelation

1) All of the follo
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Hi, Clive

Thanks for the reply.

What makes the ones you have labelled 'not correct' incorrect? Are you basing your answers simply on whether you have read or heard the utterance (because perhaps people just use what they hear and read more often, thus eradicating variations, which still may be grammatical sound)?

Or is there a grammar rule you are aware of that preven
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Hi,

That's a reasonable question.



As I said, based on what sounds right to my ear. And to my exposure to what is considered good English.



In matters such of order word a rule not know I.
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Haha, a lot I thank you

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