Usage of "which"

[shipra25]

Hi Ron/Stacey,

I am actually confused in the usage of "which". In some sentences, which usually refer to the preceding noun, but I have seen that, usually when there is a modifying clause between the main noun ( the noun being modified) and which, which refers to that main noun even if the modifying clause has a noun to which "which" can refer to. For Example:-

1) Scientists have recently received permission to research embryonic stem cells, derived from blastocysts or early stage embryos, which they believe.....

What does which refer to, cells( main noun) or embryos ( the previous noun which is a valid candidate for which.


Also, in the sentence below:-

2) Out of the public's interest in the details of and conflict in othe people's lives have grown a market for "reality" television shows, which are bringing.....

"which refers to the market or the shows?? Do we have to go by the meaning of the sentence and see what should be the antecedent of "which" or do we have to go by the logic of "which" that it refers to the previous eligible candidate??

Could you please elaborate?

Thanks and Regards
Shipra

[RonPurewal]

hi -- i see that you are new here. welcome to the forum, but please take the time to read the forum rules (and to notice which folder you're posting in) before you post.
this is the gmat prep folder, which is exclusively for questions about problems from the gmat prep software.

please do three things:
* read the forum rules (posted at the top of every folder)
* search the forum for information on this topic (you will probably find several other threads dealing with it)
* if necessary, re-post this thread in the general verbal folder. if you do so, please follow the rules -- post the ENTIRE problem(s) from which these excerpts are taken, along with all answer choices, and cite the original source where you got them.

thanks.