Sentence Correction

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

Hi,

thanks for your reply!
But I still have some more questions:

• Is there a rule when one needs to use "which" and when not?

• Regarding my thoughts in the prior post - where is my mistake? Because so far I cannot see why the sentence is wrong..

Thanks a lot in advance.

Best,
nobody

123nobody321 wrote: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

Hi, for your question the answer is here:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/astronomers- ... 91529.html

You can go through the notes on Sc available on this forum.It will help. DO go through MGMAT SC once. It will help you.

"which cricle" is wrong i would prefer Circling