Hi forum,
I am a bit unsure about when to use "which" and when not.
I have this example sentence and I do not know why if I can use "which" or not:
In the past several years, astronomers have detected more than 80 massive planets, most of them as large or larger than Jupiter, which circle other stars.
Here, I can see that the phrase "most of them as large or larger than Jupiter" is a non-essential modifier because it is surrounded by commas, thus can be left out.
If I leave the non-essential modifier out, I can see that the "which" modifies the noun "80 massive planets". I learned that "which" can only be used when it modifies the noun preceding it. It cannot modify a whole sentence.
In our case here, it just modifies the preceding noun, so where is my mistake?
Is somewhere a short summary of the rules when one can use "which" and when not?
Help is much appreciated.
Best,
nobody
I am a bit unsure about when to use "which" and when not.
I have this example sentence and I do not know why if I can use "which" or not:
In the past several years, astronomers have detected more than 80 massive planets, most of them as large or larger than Jupiter, which circle other stars.
Here, I can see that the phrase "most of them as large or larger than Jupiter" is a non-essential modifier because it is surrounded by commas, thus can be left out.
If I leave the non-essential modifier out, I can see that the "which" modifies the noun "80 massive planets". I learned that "which" can only be used when it modifies the noun preceding it. It cannot modify a whole sentence.
In our case here, it just modifies the preceding noun, so where is my mistake?
Is somewhere a short summary of the rules when one can use "which" and when not?
Help is much appreciated.
Best,
nobody
