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Eipjoo Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Why which, not who?

In the example:

"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve -- back to Johnson and -- no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes -- Flint flying like an eagle up there -- he's going to sc- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and -- OUCH -- that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger -- Quaffle taken by the Slytherins -- that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger -- sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which -- nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes -- she's really flying -- dodges a speeding Bludger -- the goal posts are ahead -- come on, now, Angelina -- Keeper Bletchley dives -- misses - GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"

I’ve heard relative pronoun whose antecedent is person is supposed to be who or that. Then why does the commentator say ‘which’ in his commentary?
(The sentence means, I can’t tell who did (for they’re twins) )
  

Top answer

'Person' is simply elided: 'by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which [person]'.

  • 'Person' is simply elided: 'by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which [person]'.
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2 Answers
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'Person' is simply elided: 'by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which [person]'.
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Hi

Others may have a different view, but I would say that "which" is used when it could only be one of a few people and we know who they are. "Who" is used when we do not have a definite idea who it might be...

- The goal was scored by Fred or George - I can't tell which
- All the players were in a crowd when the goal was scored - I couldn't tell who scored it

.. or

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