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raewon
Joined: 16 Jun 2009
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 Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:01 pm Post subject: in which case / in that case (question) |
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Can someone help with the following:
Or it may show he doesn�t want to give in to peer pressure, in [that / which] case it may also display good judgment on his part.
I'd go with "which" but I can't back it up.
Any ideas out there?
Thanks a lot. |
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raewon
Joined: 16 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:10 am Post subject: |
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| Speed bump. |
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yellowdove
Joined: 19 Aug 2009
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yellowdove
Joined: 19 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:49 am Post subject: |
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I would just rewrite the sentence.
In a display of good judgment, he may be showing that he doesn't want to give in to peer pressure. |
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raewon
Joined: 16 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:06 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for your reply yellowdove.
Unfortunately, I don't have the option of rewriting it. I checked the site you suggested, but I don't think it answers my question. Maybe I need to check it again ^^. |
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jugbandjames
Joined: 15 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:41 am Post subject: |
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| I don't think it's a relative clause. I think it's being used as a pronominal. I think the prescriptive rule is that you use "that" to refer to a whole sentence or clause and "which" to refer to the noun at the end of the preceding clause. So, I think in your sentence the "correct" choice would be "that." |
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machinoman
Joined: 12 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: in which case / in that case (question) |
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| raewon wrote: |
| Or it may show he doesn�t want to give in to peer pressure, in [that / which] case it may also display good judgment on his part. |
This is just from my gut, but I am pretty sure it is which. It would be that if it were two sentences:
Or it may show he doesn't want to give in to peer pressure; in that case it may also display good judgment on his part.
Then again, my gut is not thrilled that this sentence begins with the word or. |
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Netz
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Location: a parallel universe where people and places seem to be the exact opposite of "normal"
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: in which case / in that case (question) |
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| machinoman wrote: |
Then again, my gut is not thrilled that this sentence begins with the word or. |
But starting a sentence with a conjunction is the new "hip".
And all the "cool kids" are doing it.
Or you can choose not to, but why? |
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raewon
Joined: 16 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the replies.
In this sentence I kind of interpreted "in which case" as "if that is the case"
and "in that case" as "since that is the case". For this reason, I'd go
with "which". But I could be wrong - we have supporters for both.
Where is the voice of reason?
Thanks! |
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The Cosmic Hum
Joined: 09 May 2003
Location: Sonic Space
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:57 am Post subject: reply |
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| raewon wrote: |
Thanks for all the replies.
In this sentence I kind of interpreted "in which case" as "if that is the case"
and "in that case" as "since that is the case". For this reason, I'd go
with "which". But I could be wrong - we have supporters for both.
Where is the voice of reason?
Thanks! |
Hello Raewon,
While I won't claim to be the voice of reason, I will suggest that you have once again giving a rather eloquent answer to your own question. 
You have a number of options for your answer.
As it stands, punctuated the way it is, the best choice is...in which case.
Machinoman is making a good point for the other option.
To use ...in that case...the punctuation should be changed.
If changing the punctuation is not as option...then...in which case.
Jugbandjames is also making a good point...though I believe it is a relative clause and it is sentential...however...context is not given for this sentence and arguments could be made either way.
In the case of a relative sentential clause...in which case...is the preferred choice.
Or it may show he doesn't want to give in to peer pressure, in which case it may also display good judgment on his part.
Or it may show he doesn't want to give in to peer pressure. In that case, it may also display good judgment on his part.
As always, best wishes Raewon. |
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raewon
Joined: 16 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 5:33 am Post subject: |
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Thanks VOR ... I mean Cosmic Hum.
Cosmic Hum replied
| Quote: |
| ...though I believe it is a relative clause and it is sentential... |
While M. Swam and other references I have disappointed me with their lack of info. on a sentential relative clause, I did stumble across the following on the net:
Random Source states:
| Quote: |
The sentential relative clause is just a relative clause which modifies the entire preceding clause, not just some noun phrase in it. Such clauses often comment on the statement they are attached to, rather like sentence adverbials. They are usually punctuated with a comma or dash in front of them. Because clauses aren't living creatures, these relatives are headed by which rather than who. The usual form is the simple which, as in The lark is on the wing, which is normal for larks. It can also be used in various combination forms: He may yet be elected president, in which case I am moving to Canada or even They lost badly, which result pleased me no end.
There are two good reasons we don't find sentential relative clauses beginning with that. The main one is that they are extra stuff and so can't begin with the restrictive that. Another rationale is to avoid confusion with the demonstrative pronoun that which can appear with very similar sentences: compare
She hates me, which bothers me.
with
She hates me; that bothers me. |
If I've understood that correctly, it does seem to support Cosmic Hum's reply ... and perhaps my gut feeling.
Kind regards,
Raewon |
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Hawkeye Pierce
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Location: Uijeongbu
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:46 am Post subject: Re: in which case / in that case (question) |
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| machinoman wrote: |
| raewon wrote: |
| Or it may show he doesn�t want to give in to peer pressure, in [that / which] case it may also display good judgment on his part. |
This is just from my gut, but I am pretty sure it is which. It would be that if it were two sentences:
Or it may show he doesn't want to give in to peer pressure; in that case it may also display good judgment on his part.
Then again, my gut is not thrilled that this sentence begins with the word or. |
Since it is a comma splice run-on sentence, it is two sentences, unless a conjunction is added between them:
| Quote: |
| (Or?) It may show he doesn't want to give in to peer pressure. It may also display good judgment on his part in that case. |
| Quote: |
| (Or?) It may show he doesn't want to give in to peer pressure, and, in that case, it may also display good judgment on his part . |
In my humble opinion, the sentences are too long to join with a semicolon.
I agree with you comment about not using a conjunction at the beginning of sentence.
"That" is correct since it is specific. |
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