[Grammar] Which +plural form of noun

Status
Not open for further replies.

LiuJing

Member
Joined
May 30, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
China
A lot of items are prohibited onto the plane.
Do you know which items are prohibited?

-----------------------------


That 'which' line does not sound right to me. But I need someone to help explain a little bit. Thank you.

By the way, can we use forbid to replace prohibit in this case?
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
A lot of items are prohibited onto the plane.
Do you know which items are prohibited?

-----------------------------


That 'which' line does not sound right to me. But I need someone to help explain a little bit. Thank you.

By the way, can we use forbid to replace prohibit in this case?

Why does it sound wrong to you?

Although forbidden and prohibited are very similar, the items which you cannot take on a plane are referred to as "prohibited items", so it's the right word in this context.
 

LiuJing

Member
Joined
May 30, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
China
Why does it sound wrong to you?

Although forbidden and prohibited are very similar, the items which you cannot take on a plane are referred to as "prohibited items", so it's the right word in this context.

I thought 'which' should be followed by a noun in its singular form. Was I not right?
 

stanislaw.masny

VIP Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Polish
Home Country
Poland
Current Location
Poland
I thought 'which' should be followed by a noun in its singular form. Was I not right?
Hi LiuJing
I don't think so. Take examples:
Which of these is yours?
Of the 12 paintings, which were sold?
I don't know the rules and I'm not sure.
S.M.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top