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Which or that [restrictive clauses ]

 
 
Reply Sun 3 Sep, 2017 01:47 pm
Here is one of President Trump's latest tweets:

North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.

My question is the following:

Why is it "which has become" and not "that has become" since it's a restrictive clause?

Thank you.
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Type: Question • Score: 0 • Views: 399 • Replies: 3
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dalehileman
 
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Reply Sun 3 Sep, 2017 02:10 pm
@paok1970,
Paok alway read your q's 'cause they make me think
A rare occurrence

'Which' vaguely implies there might be only one such; but otherwise, let's hope we hear from Cen or the like

Otherwise 'which' seems a bit awkward, dounno why


Not that it matters, but I mighta writ,

North Korea as a rogue nation has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/north-korea-great-threat-and-embarrassment-to-china-donald-trump-117090300586_1.html

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/338622-trump-china-tried-to-help-with-n-korea-but-it-has-not-worked-out

North Korea as a rogue nation has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is nevertheless trying to help ease tensions arising from its recent nuclear test; but with little success
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centrox
 
  1  
Reply Sun 3 Sep, 2017 03:53 pm
@paok1970,
paok1970 wrote:
Why is it "which has become" and not "that has become" since it's a restrictive clause?

In British English, "which" is often used interchangeably with the restrictive "that". This common British construction is not strictly incorrect in American English, but it is generally avoided, especially in formal writing.



dalehileman
 
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Reply Sun 3 Sep, 2017 04:08 pm
@centrox,
Thanks Cen, I feel acquitted
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