Which was (something) unexpected

Question

Hi, Quesntion1:Which sentence is more grammatically correct and logical?Sentence1:One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview, which was something unexpected.Sentence2:One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because  she needed to prepare her job interview, which was unexpected.Question2:Based on the sentences, will you think "she needed to prepare her job interview" was unexpected or "One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because  she needed to prepare her job interview" was unexpected?Thanks

Avangi · Accepted Answer

<< One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview, which was [something] unexpected. >>

I think they're both grammatical, correct, and logical.

I think the addition of "something" in the first sentence is useful, because it helps reduce ambiguity. It's the situation which was unexpected (or the preparing), not just the interview.

Question 2:
It would never occur to me that you mean to convey that the telling was unexpecteded.

(Aside) Without a comma after "teammates," the understanding is that several of your teammates were named "Mary."
If you say, "A teammate named Mary told me", then the comma isn't necessary.

Janeleo · Answer

hi, clive. According to my knowledge in response to your second question,the whole sentence was unexpected.

your second thought is right.

One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview" was unexpected.

CalifJim · Answer

I would have omitted "something", and I take the sentence to mean that it was the job interview which was unexpected.

CJ

Avangi · Answer

janeleohi, clive. According to my knowledge in response to your second question,the whole sentence was unexpected.
your second thought is right. I agree that I might have been counting on Mary to be with the team on a particular occasion, and then she unexpectedly came up with this lame excuse; but in that case I would have found a different way to frame the sentence.
There's nothing in the sentence implying that she's skipping out on the big game.

I agree with Jim that if you wish to say the interview was unexpected, the "something" should be omitted.

Uktous · Answer

Hi,

Your opinion:

"if you wish to say the interview was unexpected, the "something" should be omitted."

My new question:

Based on your opinion, is my analysis below correct?

Sentence1:

One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview, which was something unexpected.
Idea conveyed:
"One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview" was unexpected.

Sentence2:

One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview, which was unexpected.
Idea conveyed:
"she needed to prepare her job interview" was unexpected.

Thanks

Avangi · Answer

Hi, uktous. I'm afraid I failed to make myself clear.
In the earlier exchange, the issue was, "what does "which" refer to, or in other words, "what exactly is unexpected?"
At the end, we discussed the effects of including and omitting the word "something."
Three different ideas were floated as to exactly what was unexpected, and by whom:
1. Mary didn't expect the job interview.
2. Mary didn't expect to have to do a lot of work preparing for the job interview.
3. I didn't expect Mary to tell me she couldn't make the big game, because she had to prepare for a job interview instead.
(I'll admit there's nothing about a big game in your sentence, but it's the only thing that makes sense if I'm the one who's surprised instead of Mary.)

<< Sentence1:

One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview, which was something unexpected.
Idea conveyed:
"One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview" was unexpected. >>

The part in brown stands alone as a compound sentence. But without the "which," the part in bold black has no subject.
It will make sense, however, if you place a period after "interview," and begin a new sentence, "This was unexpected." (by me)
This would be my third option above.

<< Sentence2:

One of the teammates named Mary told me she had too much work because she needed to prepare her job interview, which was unexpected.
Idea conveyed:
"she needed to prepare her job interview" was unexpected. >>
Okay, now I understand where you're going with this. This would be my second option above.
I have two problems with it:
(1) This is not the only thing the sentence conveys. (Perhaps you realize this.)
(2) We're asking "What was unexpected?"
My "opinion," as you put it, is that if you wish to emphasize that the sentence means "only the job interview was unexpected (as Jim suggests), which would be my third option above, then you should omit the word "something."

In your "sentence2," you say "she needed to prepare her job interview " was unexpected.
My recommendation in this case would be to keep the "something."

My position is, "She didn't expect to have to study hard for the job interview." Keep the "something."
"She didn't expect the job interview." Omit the "something."

(aside) It's more natural to say "prepare [my notes] for the interview."

"prepare [myself] for the interview."

("Prepare my speech" would be natural.)

Which was (something) unexpected

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