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Holyduke Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Which

Hi,

On a practice book, I encountered this multiple choice.

I want to buy the book _____ cover is red.

a) that

b) whose

c) which

d) of which

The students were stuck with which. I don't know how to explain why whose is the right answer.

Is it because whose can be a possessive and which can't? (I am hazy on relative pronouns and that/which/there/blah blah blah)

Can someone take some time to explain it in detail?

Thx a load!!!
  

Top answer

Is it because whose can be a possessive and which can't? -- Yes. Some people do not like using 'whose' for inanimate objects, but it is common enough.

— Mister Micawber

  • Is it because whose can be a possessive and which can't?
  • -- Yes.
  • Some people do not like using 'whose' for inanimate objects, but it is common enough.
  • '
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2 Answers
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Is it because whose can be a possessive and which can't?-- Yes. Some people do not like using 'whose' for inanimate objects, but it is common enough. The alternative is rather clumsy: 'I want to buy the book the cover of which is red.'
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And yet another clumsy alternative

I want to buy the book of which the cover is red.
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