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The meaning is clear and identical, but the grammatical function of the "which" is different in the two examples. In the first one ("... which I didn't understa
by FabHK 3y ago
The meaning is clear and identical, but the grammatical function of the "which" is different in the two examples. In the first one ("... which I didn't understand"), "which" acts as a relative pronoun, referring and replacing the thing it refers to. In the second case, "which" acts as an adjective modifying the noun ("article"). That is the unusual usage.
Note, for example, that we definitely don't do it with "who":
"I saw a girl who was singing."
"I saw a girl, who girl was singing."
- jcranmer 3y ago> In the second case, "which" acts as an adjective modifying the noun ("article"). That is the unusual usage. "Which" as an adjective is still relatively common. Consider, e.g., "Which one did you say you replaced?" It's the fact that it's being used as an adjective instead of a pronoun in this case that is unusual.
- thaumasiotes 3y agoThat's not an adjective. It's a determiner. (In your usage and in your parent comment's usage - the difference between the two of you is that your use is interrogative.) (Determiner is the part of speech to which the articles belong, but it also includes things like each, this, some, etc.)
- bonzini 3y agoDeterminers can also be used as either adjectives or pronouns.
- thaumasiotes 3y agoDeterminers can't be used as adjectives, ever. When applied to a noun, they fit into the determiner spot. There is no way to change that. "Determiners can be used as pronouns" isn't true either, though many of them can. See whether you think you can do it with every or a(n).
- andyferris 3y agoI think you could use “who said girl” though (especially when the first phrase is really long).