This really is the headline of Jonathan Martin's Politico piece, in which

[uktous]

Hi,

Question:
What does the sentence imply?
Imply1 or Imply2?

Sentence:
This really is the headline of Jonathan Martin's Politico piece, in which he investigates the "whispers" that the Texas governor is "lightweight, incurious, instinctual.

Imply1:
he investigates the "whispers"... in the headline.
Imply2:
he investigates the "whispers"... in the Politico piece.

Thanks

[Bennevis]

"whispers" here must mean "rumors".

This really is the headline of Jonathan Martin's Politico piece, in which he investigates the "whispers" that the Texas governor is "lightweight, incurious, instinctual".

In Politico, Martin investigates the whispers that the Texas governor is ...

[uktous]

"whispers" here must mean "rumors".

This really is the headline of Jonathan Martin's Politico piece, in which he investigates the "whispers" that the Texas governor is "lightweight, incurious, instinctual".

In Politico, Martin investigates the whispers that the Texas governor is ...

Why does the editor write a
"comma" before in which?

Since there is a "comma", I think that the which is refer to headline not Politico.

[Bennevis]

I got it now! Personally, I'd go with the "piece". A headline is usually too short to "investigate" something in. Don't you think?

[BobK]

And besides, 'headline' - in that context - doesn't mean headline; it means the general import or gist.

b

[TheParser]

Why does the editor write a
"comma" before in which?

Since there is a "comma", I think that the which is refer to headline not Politico.

ATTENTION: NOT A TEACHER


(1) You have asked a great question. I do not claim to have the answer, but I wish
to share some thoughts:

(a) Kindly remember that commas are not "grammar." Over the years, native speakers

have decided to punctuate sentences a certain way. One "rule" is:

Do not set off restrictive clauses with a comma (clauses that are vital to the

meaning of a sentence); use commas to set off non-restrictive clauses (those

with interesting -- but not vital -- information).

(2) I most respectfully suggest that the adjective clause in your sentence is

non-restrictive (grammatically speaking). The main idea is simply:

This really is the headline of Jonathan Martin's Politico piece.

(a) IMHO, the words "in which he investigates ...." are strictly non-restrictive.

They have been added to assist people who may not have heard about Mr. Martin's

piece in Politico.

(3) Now look at this sentence that I have made up: I want you to read Jonathan

Martin's Politico piece in which he investigates ....

(a) You notice that there is no comma. Why? Because the adjective clause contains

vital information for identification. Presumably, Mr. Martin has written more than one piece for

Politico:

Teacher: I want you to read Jonathan Martin's Politico piece.

Student: Excuse me, sir. Which piece by Mr. Martin? He has written ten.

Teacher: Oh, excuse me. I'm referring to the piece in which he investigates ....

Student: Thank you, sir, for identifying which piece.

(4) I agree with Teacher Bennevis that this non-restrictive clause modifies the word

"piece." (That is, the article in the newspaper and website called Politico.).

(5) Furthermore, as Teacher Bennevis told us, sometimes (often?) we have to forget

"rules" and use commion sense. How can the rumors about that gentleman be

investigated in a headline?

UPDATE:

I have just noticed that Teacher Bob has pointed out that the word "headline" in that

sentence really means the "gist." That is, the main point (of the article).

In other words, that article said certain things. The article's main point will be the

the headline in many newspapers that decide to report what was said in the article.

[uktous]

I got it now! Personally, I'd go with the "piece". A headline is usually too short to "investigate" something in. Don't you think?

so, I think the sentence should not have a comma.

With comma: the which refers to headline.
Without comma: the which refers to piece.

Not a teacher.

[BobK]

so, I think the sentence should not have a comma.

With comma: the which refers to headline.
Without comma: the which refers to piece.

Not a teacher.

Sez who Read this thread again, trying to suspend your beliefs in prescriptive grammar. The clause can't reasonably refer to 'headline', so it doesn't.

b