la qual cosa / cosa que
La Qual Cosa for Whole-Clause Reference
La qual cosa and cosa que refer back to a whole preceding statement.
How It Works
An ordinary relative modifies a noun: la decisió que va prendre. A sentential relative instead comments on the preceding situation as a whole: va dimitir, la qual cosa ens va sorprendre. The antecedent is the resignation event, not just the nearest noun.
When the previous clause contains several nouns, la qual cosa keeps the comment anchored to the whole event. Van tancar l'oficina, la qual cosa va obligar-nos a tornar does not say that the office itself obliged us; its closure did. Cosa que is a lighter equivalent in suitable contexts. For a genuinely nominal antecedent, use an agreeing ordinary relative instead of automatically turning every English which into this sentential expression.
Examples (3)
- Van tancar l’oficina, la qual cosa ens va obligar a tornar.
They closed the office, which forced us to return.
- Va acceptar la proposta, cosa que ningú no esperava.
She accepted the proposal, which nobody expected.
- Han ajornat la sessió, la qual cosa ens dona més temps.
They have postponed the session, which gives us more time.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Identify an entire statement as the antecedent of a sentential relative.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice la qual cosa / cosa que in Bubblegum
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