subject of a which clause

Question

these investigations contributed to give to the theory an authority which one might have been inclined to refuse in a matter still obscure and apparently subject to so many uncertainties

Question:
What's the subject of the which clause, 'authority' or 'theory'?

Philip · Accepted Answer

I think the sentence could be better expressed. My best guess is that the antecedent of which is authority.

Englishsz · Answer

Thanks, Philip!

So can I rewrite the sentence this way?

these investigations trying to establish an authority for the theory had actually weakened its credibility because the results of these investigations were obscure and apparently subject to many uncertainties

CalifJim · Answer

Englishszwhich one might have been inclined to refuse in a matter still obscure and apparently subject to so many uncertainties

In the quote box you'll find the which clause. Neither authority nor theory occur within this clause, so neither can be its subject. The subject is one. The antecedent, however, is authority.

CJ

Englishsz · Answer

Many thanks, CJ!
How's my rewrite? Actually I'm not sure whether I'm right or not.

Englishsz · Answer

up

CalifJim · Answer

Original
~~these~~ These investigations contributed ~~to give to~~ toward giving the theory an authority which one might have been inclined to refuse in a matter still obscure and apparently subject to so many uncertainties.
(Refusing an authority seems strange. What is it supposed to mean, I wonder.)
Rewrite
~~these~~ These investigations trying to establish an authority for the theory had actually weakened its credibility because the results of these investigations were obscure and apparently subject to many uncertainties.
Can investigations really try, I wonder. Other than that, the rewrite seems more understandable. But, in my opinion, the repetition of the same words these investigations is weak. I also wonder if you really mean uncertainties or interpretations. And were the results subject to uncertainties (or interpretations), or did they only seem so, hence apparently. And I don't know the context, so the past perfect seems unnecessary.
Here's another version to consider.
With their bias toward establishing an authority for the theory, these investigations actually weakened its credibility because the results were obscure and subject to multiple interpretations.
Don't just accept it reflexively. Think about it. See if it says what you want to say.

CJ

subject of a which clause

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