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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > WHICH or WHAT
WHICH or WHAT
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marta_marta
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WHICH or WHAT
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Hello everybody,
I have a problem concerning grammar and I �ll be extremelly grateful if anyone could help.
Which sentence is correct?
A) I propose that we should provide group discounts, which would encourage people to (...)
B) I propose that we should provide group discounts, what would encourage people to (...)
I think A is correct but I �m not fully convinced. What do you think?
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Marta
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14 Feb 2010
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marta_marta
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Dear Silke,
Thank you so much for your immediate response! I really appreciate it :-)
Hugs,
Marta
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14 Feb 2010
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yanogator
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Marta,
Silke made a small change to your sentence by removing the comma.
Your original sentence had a comma, and only "which" is correct, as she said. In that sentence, "which" refers to the action of providing discounts.
Silke �s revisions are both correct, but in her sentences, "which" and "that" refer to the discounts themselves.
The difference is small, and now, thanks to Silke, you have three correct sentences to use.
Bruce |
14 Feb 2010
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marta_marta
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Thank you Bruce! To be honest I haven �t noticed that in Silke �s sentences there are no commas. Now, I see the difference :-)
By the way, can we use a comma before "what" in any sentence?
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14 Feb 2010
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yanogator
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Generally speaking, there won �t be a comma before "what". There are probably some specific instances where it could happen, though. |
14 Feb 2010
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Ayaniw
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Sentence A. is definitely correct.
I think you should NOT remove the comma because the clause �which would encourage people
to (...) � is NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE (Some would call it a connective clause.)
The comma is therefore necessary here. The relative clause is extra/supplementary information that can be omitted.
ALI
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19 Feb 2010
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mizutamari
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I also agree that you need the comma. |
23 Feb 2010
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