The title of which, which title

Posted by Tom on August 24, 2003

In Reply to: The title of which, which title posted by R. Berg on August 23, 2003

: : : : Hi!

: : : : A book says only the first sentence is acceptable. I don't know why the second sentence is not acceptable.

: : : : The movie The Wizard of Oz, _________ is taken from the book of the same name, has been a children's favorite for years.

: : : : a) the title of which
: : : : b) which title

: : : : Thanks for your help.

: : : : Tom

: : : I have to admit I don't either, except that b) is a little more formal and fussier-sounding--but maybe I'm missing some fine point of grammar.

: : Oh, I think I see--the subject of the sentence is the word "movie", not "The Wizard of Oz"; and "movie" isn't a title. That's why.

: I believe "which title" was acceptable in English two or three hundred years ago but isn't standard today.

: The sentence could also say (correctly) ". . . Oz, a title taken from the book of the same name," or ". . . Oz, whose title is taken from the book of the same name."

Thank you for your answers.

"Which" can be used as a relative determiner, but it need a preposition before that, right?

a) He called her by the wrong name, for which mistake he apologized immediately.

How about next sentence? I quote it from the same dictionary.

b) I said nothing, which fact made him angry.

Many English natives don't accept the last sentence, I guess. I am just wondering why a) sounds OK but b) sounds strange.

Thanks again.

Tom

PS. I was surprised to see another Tom had posted his question right after me.

• The title of which, which title GPP 24/August/03
• Tom tom Henry 24/August/03
• Tom tom Henry 24/August/03