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Wed 29 Aug, 2007 11:00 am
The lady and her bike, that/which were at the beach, disappeared.
Which is the correct word that should be used? If I use 'which', it would refer to the bike but not the lady. But can 'that' be used for a non-restrictive clause?
Thanks.
The sentence is awkward--and wordy.
"The lady and her bicycle disappeared from the beach."
Or:
The lady was last seen riding her bicycle on the beach.
"That" is the appropriate word, and yes, it can be used for a non-restrictive clause.
The passengers and their luggage, that were in the boat, sank to the bottom of the sea.
The man and his dog, that were doused with petrol, burned fiercely.
The lady and her bike, which were at the beach, disappeared.
Just to confirm: Can 'which' be used since it is used for animals and inanimate things when 'lady' would require 'who' or 'that'?
Many thanks.
Using "which" for animals and inanimate objects is not a rigid rule. It can be used with a group of things and people.