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RIP Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Which does the non-restrictive "which" refer to?

0 I have a question about the use of the word "which." Does it necessarily refer to the word that comes right before it? 02br
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00"Jack was wearing a hat, which he had bought at a local store." --> so "which" used here obviously refers to "hat." But what about.... 02br
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00"Jill decided to pursue her college education in Paris, which was a long-time dream for her. " --> is it grammatically correct to assume that this "which" refers back not to Paris, but to "to pursue her college education in Paris?" 02br
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00I know there are ways to rephrase this sentence without changing the meaning, but I'm referring specifically to the way "which" is used in the sentence above. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. 0-
  

Top answer

0 Hello, RIP, welcome to the Forums! 02br 00Yes, I agree with your interpretation of "which". 0-

— Pieanne

  • 0 Hello, RIP, welcome to the Forums!
  • 02br 00Yes, I agree with your interpretation of "which".
  • 0-
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4 Answers
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0 Hello, RIP, welcome to the Forums! 02br
00Yes, I agree with your interpretation of "which". 0-
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0 Hi RIP, 02br
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00yes in the first sentence "which" refers to "hat" in a n o n-r e s t r i c t i v e way, giving the meaning that Jack has only one hat. 02br
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00If it were r e s t r i c t i v e one, it would give the meaning that Jack has many hats but I especially refer to the one he bought at a local store 02br
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0 Dear RIP, 02br
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00No, "which" does not necessarily refer to the word that comes right before it. 02br
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00Kind regards, 05002br
00Goldmund 010id1
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0 Thank you all for the clarification! 0-
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