figure which

[Mr Linguaphile]

___ which was characterized by supreme selfconfidence and great achievement.

A) The bombing of Dresden was widel critized
B) Henry VII was a typical Renaissance figure
C) The Great Pyramids were built in an age
D) The moon-landing gave rise to strange, new emotions
E) This climbing expedition in the Taurus mountains was a complete failure


Hi, the answer is C, but I wonder whether B could be correct too. Is it possible to use "which" after "figure" with the meaning in this question? Thanks.

[Teia]

Originally Posted by Mr Linguaphile

___ which was characterized by supreme selfconfidence and great achievement.

A) The bombing of Dresden was widel critized - widely criticized
B) Henry VII was a typical Renaissance figure
C) The Great Pyramids were built in an age
D) The moon-landing gave rise to strange, new emotions
E) This climbing expedition in the Taurus mountains was a complete failure


Hi, the answer is C, but I wonder whether B could be correct too. Is it possible to use "which" after "figure" with the meaning in this question? Thanks.

Answer C is correct, indeed. Figure cannot be followed by which, but by who or that, because figure means a character or a person that symbolizes something.

[Casiopea]

Additionally, choice B) is a copular construct.

B) Henry VII = a typical Renaissance figure

Its subject complement a typical Renaissance figure functions adjectivally and refers back to the subject Henry VII. Like this,

Ex: Henry VII, a typical Renaissance figure, was characterized by supreme selfconfidence and great achievement.

The subject of was is Henry VII, not figure. Which is why this example doesn't work:

B) Henry VII was a typical Renaissance figure which was characterized by supreme selfconfidence and great achievement.

[Teia]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Additionally, choice B) is a copular construct.

B) Henry VII = a typical Renaissance figure

Its subject complement a typical Renaissance figure functions adjectivally and refers back to the subject Henry VII. Like this,

Ex: Henry VII, a typical Renaissance figure, was characterized by supreme selfconfidence and great achievement.

The subject of was is Henry VII, not figure. Which is why this example doesn't work:

B) Henry VII was a typical Renaissance figure which was characterized by supreme selfconfidence and great achievement.

Thank you for your thorough explanation on this subject.

[Casiopea]

You're most welcome.