Dear Roberto,
Your correction is fine, but the semi-colon needs to be replaced by a comma
indicating an introductory clause.
Anne Greer
Roberto Perez wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a problem with the grammar structure/puctuation of the sentence
> below, that one student used in an essay.
>
> "In those classes, which Constructivist teaching is not the primary
> approach; I have had some good encounters and some not so good encounters."
>
> My correction was to add "in" before "which", so that it reads:
>
> "In those classes in which Constructivist teaching is not the primary
> approach; I have had some good encounters and some not so good encounters."
>
> My opinion is that the "which" clause in its original version is not
> entirely grammatical, since the referent is not "classes which
> contructivist teaching", but we are talking about classes "in which"
> constructivism is not used. If you miss the "in", it looks like the classes
> themselves are attached a "constructivist teaching" condition, which makes
> for an awkard reading.
>
> Could you comment on the correctness (prescriptive or descriptive) and
> clarity of the original sentence?
>
> Also, what about the use of the semi-colon? Would that be something to
> change also?
>
> One of the problems is, this student says her mother is an English teacher,
> and she didn't see anything wrong with the version without the "in"
> particle. Can I make a case for the contrary? If I can't, I don't have any
> problem accepting an impartial, unbiased, professional opinion, even if it
> contradicts my intuitive opinion. That's why I'm asking in the forum :-)
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Roberto Perez
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>
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