OG 12 SC # 107

[rockeyb]

Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X - ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it , is finding uses in medicine , archeology , and criminology .

As per OG this sentence is correct . What I dont understand is as per the rule the word WHICH should refer to the noun immediately preceding it .

If we are to follow this rule then how is this sentence correct ?

IF WHICH is referring to emission then the meaning of the sentence changes.

Can any one explain please ?

[fibbonnaci]

what the rule states is that 'which' must refer to the nearest complete part of the sentence.
here the complete part of the sentence is the noun- proton induced x ray emmision.. therefore it is correct.

Hope i have cleared your doubt!

[rockeyb]

what the rule states is that 'which' must refer to the nearest complete part of the sentence.
here the complete part of the sentence is the noun- proton induced x ray emmision.. therefore it is correct.

Hope i have cleared your doubt!

Can you please explain what do you mean by "nearest complete part of the sentence" can you please take another example and explain.

[fibbonnaci]

complete part of the setence means the part of speech that completes the meaning.
'which' is used to refer to a noun, so it means we need to take the complete noun in case the word is made up of 2-3 elements. In our example- proton x-ray emmission is one instrument that we are referring to. noun- photo x ray emmission.[ emmission, i would agree, is a noun too but that is not complete in itself. it is a part of a larger complete noun- proton x ray emmission. so in effect 'which' refers to the complete noun.

Hope your doubt is cleared.

[thephoenix]

Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X - ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it , is finding uses in medicine , archeology , and criminology .

IMO
comma which always refers to the nearest eligible noun of the previous clause here that noun is technique
proton-induced X - ray emission is the sub in preposition called

[sumanr84]

Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X - ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it , is finding uses in medicine , archeology , and criminology .

IMO
comma which always refers to the nearest eligible noun of the previous clause here that noun is technique
proton-induced X - ray emission is the sub in preposition called

good explanation

[rockeyb]

complete part of the setence means the part of speech that completes the meaning.
'which' is used to refer to a noun, so it means we need to take the complete noun in case the word is made up of 2-3 elements. In our example- proton x-ray emmission is one instrument that we are referring to. noun- photo x ray emmission.[ emmission, i would agree, is a noun too but that is not complete in itself. it is a part of a larger complete noun- proton x ray emmission. so in effect 'which' refers to the complete noun.

Hope your doubt is cleared.

Good explanation , thanks for replying.

[rockeyb]

Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X - ray emission, which can quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it , is finding uses in medicine , archeology , and criminology .

IMO
comma which always refers to the nearest eligible noun of the previous clause here that noun is technique
proton-induced X - ray emission is the sub in preposition called

Hey thanks for your reply too what do you mean by SUB can you elaborate . I also agree with you that the noun that WHICH should refer must be the word TECHNIQUE .