In July, I visited the museum, which is built by a famous architect.

[neb090]

1. In July, I visited the museum, which is built by a famous architect.
2. In July, I visited the museum which is built by a famous architect.

In these two sentences, what's the difference between having a comma and not having a comma?

 

[teechar]

Note the questions I inserted.

A: What did you do in July?
B: In July, I visited the museum, which is built by a famous architect.
[ Here, we can leave out the bit after the comma. It's extra (non-identifying) information.]

A: Which museum did you go to in July?
B: In July, I visited the museum which is built by a famous architect.
[ Here, we cannot leave out the bit after "museum"; it's essential to the meaning of the sentence, as it identifies the particular museum.]

 

[neb090]

Note the questions I inserted.

A: What did you do in July?
B: In July, I visited the museum, which is built by a famous architect.
[ Here, we can leave out the bit after the comma. It's extra (non-identifying) information.]

A: Which museum did you go to in July?
B: In July, I visited the museum which is built by a famous architect.
[ Here, we cannot leave out the bit after "museum"; it's essential to the meaning of the sentence, as it identifies the particular museum.]

What does "bit" mean?

 

[teechar]

(small) part

 

[Tarheel]

@neb090 Why do you use "is" and not "was"?

 

[neb090]

@neb090 Why do you use "is" and not "was"?

Yes, that's one of my questions. I think "is" means the building still exists today, and "was" may mean the building no longer exists now.

Am I correct?

 

[emsr2d2]

No. Whether the building still exists or not, it was built by a famous architect. The building of the museum took place completely in the past.

 

[neb090]

No. Whether the building still exists or not, it was built by a famous architect. The building of the museum took place completely in the past.

Another question related to this is should I say the museum "is " or "was" named XX? (suppose that its name hasn't been changed since its completion of building)

 

[emsr2d2]

Another question: related to this is should I say the museum "is" or "was" named XX no question mark here (supposing that its name hasn't been changed since its completion)? of building)

If it has the same name it's always had, use "the museum is called ...". Note that using "called" is much more natural in this context than "named".

 

[neb090]

If it has the same name it's always had, use "the museum is called ...". Note that using "called" is much more natural in this context than "named".

Hi. emsr2d2,

I have a questio bout the word "suppose":

1. Why do I have to use gerund as a subject? Couldn't I use base form of suppose? "Suppose he passes the exam. " or "Suppose we stop for a lunch break now."

2. Why do I need to use interrogative instead of affirmative sentence? Should the word "suppose" be used as interrogative or affirmative sentence?

 

[neb090]

If it has the same name it's always had, use "the museum is called ...". Note that using "called" is much more natural in this context than "named".

1. The museum is called XX.
2. The museum has been called XX.

Do these two sentences imply the museum's name has been XX since its completion?

 

[Tarheel]

1. The museum is called XX.
2. The museum has been called XX.

The second one might make sense if it had a different name before.

 

[neb090]

The second one might make sense if it had a different name before.

And the first sentence implies its name has been always the same since its completion. Am I correct?

 

[Tarheel]

@neb090 No, it doesn't imply anything. (ESL learners tend to use the word "imply" quite a bit.) It simply says that's the name. We don't know how long it's had that name. Also, most of the time we wouldn't consider that important enough to worry about.

 

[neb090]

Is it correct if I say: "has been called" should be used with superlative."

For example: He has been called the most popular singer in history.

 

[teechar]

Is Would it be correct if I say: used "has been called" should be used with a superlative? ."

See above corrections.

For example: He has been called the most popular singer in history.

Yes, that is possible. There is nothing special/remarkable about using "has been called" with a superlative.

 

[neb090]

See above corrections.

Yes, that is possible. There is nothing special/remarkable about using "has been called" with a superlative.

So if I say, "He is called the most popular singer in history." it would sound like his name is "the most popular singer", which is weird.

Am I correct?

 

[Amigos4]

@neb090, please give us a one sentence example. We'll let you know if we think it is “weird”.

 

[teechar]

it would sound like his name is "the most popular singer", which is weird.

No. It does not mean that. It just means that people gave him such a title.

 

[neb090]

No. It does not mean that. It just means that people gave him such a title.

Aren't both "He is called the most popular singer in history." and "He has been called the most popular singer in history." titles that people gave him?

If they are, what's their difference?