the antecedent of which

[TomTom]

Hello, teachers.

I have a trouble with the antecedent of the sentence below. Is the antecedent of WHICH "a cause?" Is there any possibility WHICH expresses "a cuase and a natural law?"

>Every movement in the market is the result of a natural law and of a cause which exists long before the effect takes place and can be determined years in advance

Thank you in advance.

[Fizi]

I have a trouble with the antecedent of the sentence below. Is the antecedent of WHICH "a cause?" Is there any possibility WHICH expresses "a cuase and a natural law?"
>Every movement in the market is the result of a natural law and of a cause which exists long before the effect takes place and can be determined years in advance

I agree that the antecedent of 'which' is 'a cause'.
The main reason is that 'exists' is singular, and if the antecedent were 'a natural law and of a cause', plural 'exist' would be called for.

Secondly "cause and effect" is a common English expression, and they are probably being matched up together in this sentence without 'a natural law'.

[Tdol]

I agree with Fizi- if the law and cause were regarded as a singular thing, then you wouldn't have 'of a' repeated, so it refers to the cause.

[TomTom]

Thank you, Fizi and tdol.

I understand. I haven't noticed I can determin it by "exists." Thanks a lot.