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Proper uses of phrases including 'which'

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Proper uses of phrases including 'which'

by winniethepooh » Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:27 am
Each year, thousands of salmon swim to spawn up the rivers of Maine,only a few of which are genetically recognizable descendants of the salmon that swam up the same rivers centuries ago.

a. Same as underlined
b. spawn by swimming up the rivers of Maine, only a few of
which
c. swim up the rivers of Maine to spawn,but only a few of them
(Not giving all options as my query is between b & c)


I need an explanation on the correct use of which in this context. Is the choice with phrases like 'only a few of which' (In the particular example choice 3) ever correct? Also, why is it wrong? Giving a reason that it is 'awkward' is no explanation.
The question is from a Kaplan - Cat.

Also, when can a sentence with a phrase including 'which' be declared as correct?

Expert's help is greatly appreciated!
Ron, Mitch, Vivian, Testluv or any expert please help.
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by avik.ch » Sun Mar 04, 2012 11:56 am
Which is a relative pronoun and so it can create a new clause. But this is not the split here.

B -- only a few of which are...
C -- but only a few of them are - here but is doing the action of joining clause. But here "but" is better, as there is a contrast.

Refer this : https://www.beatthegmat.com/sub-group-mo ... 92858.html - for "of them" vs "of which"

The distinction between B and C is actually :

The most logical meaning : thousands of salmon swim up to the river in order to spawn.

So : Subject + verb --> thousands of salmon swim
add the adverb of place : salmon swim up to the river
add the adverb of purpose : salmon swim up to the river to spawn.

B has wrong structure :
thousands of salmon spawn by swimming .... - this is incorrect. "by swimming" cannot be the agent here. Moreover, for a passive voice the correct structure is "be + past participle"

A - I am not sure what the prepositional phrase "up the rivers .." is modifying - the action of "swimming" as an adverb or the noun "to spawn".
Consider this :
I wrote the book in our living room.

What is "in our living room" - an adverb of place or an adjective modifying the book. There are many SC on this concept in OG. You can refer some.



Hope this helps !!
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by winniethepooh » Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:56 pm
I know that 'which' is correctly used after a comma to modify a noun preceding comma OR after a noun + preposition + noun to modify the noun before preposition (or other uses as context suggests).

My question is:
When ( if ever) is 'which' correctly used within a phrase?
Such as, in option B 'which' is used in a phrase 'only a few of
which' rather than right after a comma. When is such a use of 'which' justified?
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by avik.ch » Sun Mar 04, 2012 10:44 pm
winniethepooh wrote: My question is:
When ( if ever) is 'which' correctly used within a phrase?
Such as, in option B 'which' is used in a phrase 'only a few of
which' rather than right after a comma. When is such a use of 'which' justified?
I am not able to get you. Can you please elaborate with some examples.

If you question is whether "only a few of which" is right or wrong - then refer my above link. It is correct - "some of which"

Only a few of which -- only a few : noun phrase, "of which ..." : relative clause modifying the noun phrase.

Hope this helps !!
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by winniethepooh » Mon Mar 05, 2012 5:21 am
Makes sense! Thanks man!
I Skipped the link while reading your previous post.
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