[General] What does the word 'which' modify in the following sentence?

[kyawwin]

Many electric flocks are combined with radios, which can sometimes be set to turn on automatically.

 

[tedmc]

In the sentence, which" modifies "electric flocks". What are electric flocks anyway?
Take away the comma and "which" modifies "radios".

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'radios' is the antecedent of 'which', but I am not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I agree with you, Matthew. The comma doesn't change that.

 

[Weaver67]

...What are electric flocks anyway?
.

I have the same question. What are "electric flocks"?
Electric clocks, maybe?

Indeed, this way, it would make more sense. It is often true that the clock on a radio can be used to switch the radio either on or off.

Not a teacher.

 

[tedmc]

Okay, the comma should not have been there then.

 

[MikeNewYork]

All the comma does is change the following clause from defining to non-defining.

 

[tedmc]

Do you mean the comma should be there? Please elaborate.

 

[MikeNewYork]

For me, it is optional.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Do you mean the comma should be there? Please elaborate.

I think it should be there because the relative clause adds only extra information and does not affect the main clause's meaning, but I am not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

It could be seen as defining the radios.

 

[Skrej]

I have the same question. What are "electric flocks"?
Electric clocks, maybe?

What are electric flocks anyway?

Electric flocks clearly come from electric sheep. You can count the electrons in your sleep.

Edit: In case this wasn't clear as sarcasm - it is. Yes, I'm aware (as I hope everyone else is) that 'flocks' was a typo for 'clocks'.

 

[Matthew Wai]

It could be seen as defining the radios.

If so, I would think that those electric clocks are not combined with radios which cannot be set to turn on automatically, but I am not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

What does that mean? It is already clear that "flocks" is a typo.

 

[kyawwin]

Sorry for my careless typing error. It must be 'electric clocks'.And there is a comma after 'radios ' I think 'which' refers to 'radios'.

 

[Raymott]

Do you mean the comma should be there? Please elaborate.

To me, the comma should not be there. It's not optional; it's wrong. We know that radios can be turned on manually. Therefore it must be a defining clause saying what kind of radios are meant.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think the following is the intended meaning, but I am not a teacher.
'Many electric clocks are combined with radios, which can thus sometimes be set to turn on automatically.'
Should it be a non-defining clause?

 

[MikeNewYork]

The clause can be either. It depends on the writer's intent.

 

[tzfujimino]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the radio cannot be set to turn on automatically without an electric clock, can it?

(I think I can understand what Matthew is trying to say.)

 

[MikeNewYork]

A radio can be automatically turned on with any stimulus. It does not have to be time.