jani
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Taiwan
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 Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:31 pm Post subject: which or where |
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Hi ,
I am not sure if following sentences are both ok,
1. The boy lives in that house WHICH is comfortable.
2. The boy lives in that house WHERE is comfortable.
If these two are not quite the same, please kindly specify the difference.
Thanks for your help.
Shirley |
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acadman
Joined: 27 Oct 2005
Posts: 8
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:07 am Post subject: |
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Hi Jani,
Your question raises some complex issues in English.
But, I can tell you that (1) is correct. It is more common to put a comma after the first clause: "The boy lives in that house, which is comfortable."
This sentence contains two clauses: "The boy lives in that house" and "which is comfortable." In the second clause, "which" is a relative pronoun = the subject of the sentence, and "is" = the verb, and "comfortable" = an adjective.
However, "where" is used differently in this situation. Even though it is also a relative pronoun, it isnot usually followed by a verb, but a subject (noun or pronoun) and a verb. For example: "The boy lives in that house, where a girl also lives." Thus we do not say "where is comfortable".
I know it puzzling, but this is the common useage.
_________________
Bruce Sommerville
English Tuition On-Line
http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/acadman/ |
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