Relative clauses referring to a whole sentence

Some relative clauses refer to a whole clause, a whole sentence, or a longer stretch of language. We always use which to introduce these clauses.

We often use these clauses in informal speaking to express an opinion or evaluation (In the examples, the relative clause is in bold, and the clause or person that is referred to is underlined.):

• I think the other thing that was really good about it as well was that everybody worked really hard and helped tidy up at the end*, which I hadn’t expected at all.*

Spoken English:

In speaking, a second speaker often uses a which-clause like this to evaluate or give an opinion on something the first speaker has said:

• [The speakers are talking about trains. Paddington is a train station in London.]
• A: So it leaves Paddington at 8.30 and it’ll get me into Gloucester at 10.15.
• B: Which is perfect because I can pick you up on my way home. (Speaker B is evaluating the fact that the train gets into Gloucester at 10.15.)

Sometimes the same speaker may add a which-clause after a response by a listener:

• A: I was already working with them doing a temporary job and I was asked if I would go on a permanent contract.
• B: Oh right.
• A: Which I did. (Speaker A was offered a permanent job contract and accepted the offer.)

In speaking we sometimes pause before these clauses:

• She just lives six doors away*, [pause] which is very handy.*