Relative Clause and another question

[englishteacher79]

1) If I'm not wrong, we use relative clauses to modify nouns.

In this sentence:

"John arrived at the station at 9pm, which meant he was late."

Is the "which" above a relative clause? The "which" doesn't seem to modify any noun.

The separate sentences are probably: "John arrived at the station at 9pm. This meant he was late."

So the "which meant he was late" seems to comment on the fact that John arrived at the station at 9pm - this activity/fact meant that he was late. It thus seems to be commenting on an event/activity, not technically a noun.

Is that also one use of relative clauses?

2) In this sentence: "John's income reached $100,000, this amount being the highest in his company."

My question is how do you describe "this amount being the highest in his company."

It seems to be a noun phrase (this amount) + verb ing (being) + ....

Could someone help me to explain the formation of this sentence/clause especially the later part. Thanks.

 

[5jj]

The antecedent of 'which' can be a whole clause, which some basic grammars book do not mention.

There is another example.

 

[englishteacher79]

Thanks, would you like to take a stab at the second question?

 

[5jj]

Thanks, would you like to take a stab at the second question?

No. I am not very good at labelling.