Dear Teachers, we know that an attributive clause usually modify the word right before it. For example,
He is a kind man who is always ready to help others.
The clause "who is always ready to help others" modify "man" which comes right before the clause. I can understand this kind of attributive clauses. My question is, can attributive clauses also modify a whole sentense before it instead of just a word? For example, is it OK to say:
He stole the book, which is a bad thing.
I am not saying that the book is a bad thing. I want to say that his stealing of the book is a bad thing. Is it OK? This kind of expression is quite rare, but I did see it somewhere several times. :wink:
He is a kind man who is always ready to help others.
The clause "who is always ready to help others" modify "man" which comes right before the clause. I can understand this kind of attributive clauses. My question is, can attributive clauses also modify a whole sentense before it instead of just a word? For example, is it OK to say:
He stole the book, which is a bad thing.
I am not saying that the book is a bad thing. I want to say that his stealing of the book is a bad thing. Is it OK? This kind of expression is quite rare, but I did see it somewhere several times. :wink: