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Zuotengdazuo Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Preposition + which + infinitive?


The bank has purchased some property on which to construct a new building.
I was told that this sentence is correct.

But why is the antecedent "property" not followed by an attributive clause?

What grammar phenomenon is it?
And can you give some examples of this strcture so I can get a better understanding of it?

PS: Can we say "The bank has purchased some property to construct a new building on."?

Thank you in advance.
  

Top answer

zuotengdazuo I was told that this sentence is correct. It is. The bank has purchased some property.

— AlpheccaStars

  • zuotengdazuo I was told that this sentence is correct.
  • It is.
  • The bank has purchased some property.
  • They will construct a new building on that property.
  • The bank has purchased some property on which they will construct a new building .
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5 Answers
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zuotengdazuoI was told that this sentence is correct.
It is.
The bank has purchased some property. They will construct a new building on that property..
The bank has purchased some property on which they will construct a new building. (Full clause)
The bank has purchased some property on which to construct a new building
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AlpheccaStars Yes, but some strict grammarians frown upon sentences that end in a preposition when there are alternatives.
Thank you. So this structure is called non-finite clause, right? Could you give me some more examples?
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Here is a good resource with examples: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/about-words-clauses-and-sentences/clauses-finite-and-non-finite

And here's an article that is much more technical:
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zuotengdazuoCan we say "The bank has purchased some property to construct a new building on."?
Yes, and your quoted sentence (with on which) is a formal variant of the one immediately above.

Compare:

neutral / very formal

Douglas needs a bed to sleep in. / Douglas needs a bed in which to sleep.
I have three child
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Thank you both very much.
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