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Subject:Re: reduced relative clause: -ing form vs. which From:Phil Snow Leopard <philstokes03 -at- googlemail -dot- com> To:Fred Ridder <docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com> Date:Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:40:00 +0700
Both 'that' and 'which' can be used in defining (restrictive) relative clauses for objects, and both 'that' and 'who' can be used for defining relative clauses for people (or people-like) things (e.g., 'aliens' and cartoon characters get the 'who' accolade).
You can also use 'whom' in a defining relative clause if it is the object of its own clause (or put another way, if it is followed by a noun).
However, 'that' cannot be used for non-defining clauses. The basic rule is don't use 'that' after a comma except when either
- it's a subject pronoun for a complete idea ("I don't like fruit. That is why I never eat it.")
or
-it is being mentioned rather than used (as in the beginning of this sentence after "However,..").
Phil
On 29 Mar 2012, at 21:28, Fred Ridder wrote:
>
> But most grammars and style guides say that a colon should only be used after a complete clause, while in your wording it separates the verb from its direct objects. To be a "proper" list, it should say something like this:
> A custom map is a ZIP file that contains the following items: <list contents>
>
> -Fred Ridder
>
>
>> Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:04:53 -0700
>> From: clarifiedmind -at- yahoo -dot- com
>> Subject: Re: reduced relative clause: -ing form vs. which
>> To: yves -dot- barbion -at- gmail -dot- com; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>>
>> I'd probably use "a custom map is a ZIP file that contains: <list contents>" because "that" is the restrictive clause, and because I like bulleted lists where possible.
>>
>>
>> Do good and be well,
>>
>>
>> -j
>>
>>
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: Yves Barbion <yves -dot- barbion -at- gmail -dot- com>
>>>
>>>
>>> Which do you prefer and why:
>>>
>>> [a] A custom map is a ZIP file containing the following...
>>>
>>> [b] A custom map is a ZIP file which contains the following...
>>>
>>> Try Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days.
>>>
>>>
>>
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