How do you use "Sentential Relative Clauses" in a sentence?

She won the lottery, which was unexpected. He never apologized, which annoyed me. They cancelled the meeting, which I found strange. She speaks five languages, which is impressive.

Sentential Relative Clauses

Q: What does "Sentential Relative Clauses" mean?

Relative clauses referring to entire sentences 'Which' can refer to an entire clause or sentence, not just a noun. Always non-defining (with comma). Example: 'He passed the exam, which surprised everyone.' The 'which' refers to 'He passed the exam,' not just 'exam.'

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Relative clauses referring to entire sentences

指代整个句子的关系从句

Cláusulas relativas que se refieren a oraciones enteras

文全体を指す関係節

문장 전체를 가리키는 관계절

'Which' can refer to an entire clause or sentence, not just a noun. Always non-defining (with comma). Example: 'He passed the exam, which surprised everyone.' The 'which' refers to 'He passed the exam,' not just 'exam.'

'Which'可以指代整个从句或句子，而不仅仅是一个名词。总是非限定性的（带逗号）。例如：'He passed the exam, which surprised everyone.'（他通过了考试，这让每个人都很惊讶。）'which'指的是'He passed the exam'，而不仅仅是'exam'。

'Which' puede referirse a una cláusula o oración entera, no solo a un sustantivo. Siempre es no-definida (con coma). Ejemplo: 'He passed the exam, which surprised everyone.' El 'which' se refiere a 'He passed the exam,' no solo a 'exam.'

「Which」は名詞だけでなく、節や文全体を指すことができます。常に非制限的（コンマ付き）です。例：「He passed the exam, which surprised everyone.」「which」は「exam」だけでなく「He passed the exam」全体を指します。

'Which'는 명사뿐만 아니라 절이나 문장 전체를 가리킬 수 있습니다. 항상 비제한적(쉼표 포함)으로 사용됩니다. 예: 'He passed the exam, which surprised everyone.' 여기서 'which'는 'exam'이 아니라 'He passed the exam' 전체를 가리킵니다.

Examples

She won the lottery, which was unexpected.
她中了彩票，这是意想不到的。
Ella ganó la lotería, lo cual fue inesperado.
彼女は宝くじに当たった。それは予想外でした。
그녀는 복권에 당첨되었는데, 그것은 예상 밖이었습니다.
He never apologized, which annoyed me.
他从不道歉，这让我很恼火。
Él nunca se disculpó, lo cual me molestó.
彼は一度も謝らなかった。それが私を苛立たせました。
그는 한 번도 사과하지 않았는데, 그것이 나를 짜증나게 했습니다.
They cancelled the meeting, which I found strange.
他们取消了会议，我觉得很奇怪。
Cancelaron la reunión, lo cual me pareció extraño.
彼らは会議をキャンセルした。私はそれを奇妙に思いました。
그들은 회의를 취소했는데, 나는 그것이 이상하다고 생각했습니다.
She speaks five languages, which is impressive.
她会说五种语言，这令人印象深刻。
Ella habla cinco idiomas, lo cual es impresionante.
彼女は5か国語を話します。それは印象的です。
그녀는 다섯 개 국어를 구사하는데, 그것은 인상적입니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: commenting

✓ Do Say

He resigned, which came as a shock.
他辞职了，这令人震惊。
Él renunció, lo cual fue un shock.
彼が辞職したのは衝撃だった。
그는 사임했는데, 그것은 충격이었습니다.
She arrived early, which was unusual.
她早到了，这很不寻常。
Ella llegó temprano, lo cual fue inusual.
彼女が早く来たのは珍しかった。
그녀는 일찍 도착했는데, 그것은 이례적이었습니다.
They agreed immediately, which surprised us.
他们立即同意了，这让我们很惊讶。
Aceptaron inmediatamente, lo cual nos sorprendió.
彼らがすぐに同意したのは驚きだった。
그들은 즉시 동의했는데, 그것은 우리를 놀라게 했습니다.
The price has doubled, which is worrying.
价格翻了一番，这令人担忧。
El precio se ha duplicado, lo cual es preocupante.
価格が倍になったのは心配だ。
가격이 두 배로 올랐는데, 그것은 걱정스럽습니다.
He won, which surprised me.
他赢了，这让我很惊讶。
Él ganó, lo cual me sorprendió.
彼が勝ちましたが、それは私を驚かせました。
그가 이겼는데, 그것은 나를 놀라게 했다.

✗ Don't Say

He won, that surprised me. (use 'which' for sentences)
He won, that surprised me.（指代句子时用'which'）
He won, that surprised me.（para referirse a una oración se usa 'which'）
He won, that surprised me.（文を指す場合は「which」を使う）
He won, that surprised me.（문장을 가리킬 때는 'which'를 사용）
He won which surprised me. (need comma)
He won which surprised me.（需要逗号）
He won which surprised me.（se necesita una coma）
He won which surprised me.（コンマが必要）
He won which surprised me.（쉼표가 필요）

Origin & History

Sentence-level relative reference

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal