這類定語從句只能由which或as引導。兩者之間的區別在于:
1. which引導的定語從句只能位于主句后,但as引導的從句可位于主句前、中、后。如:
David, as you know, is a photograopher. 戴維是個攝影師,你是知道的。(不可用which)
Li Ming is late, as is often the case. 李明遲到了,這事是經常發生的。(不可用which)
2. as在定語從句中作主語時,從句謂語通常要有be或別的系動詞,但which不受此限制。如:
Li Ming was late, which (=and this) made Mr. Zhang very angry. 李明遲到了,這件事使張先生非常生氣。(不可用as)
3. as引導的定語從句只表示一個眾所周知或意料之中的事,但which不受此限制。如: He married her, which was unexpected. 他和她結婚了,這是出乎意料的。(不可用as)
4. as有“正如”之意,而which則意為“這(件事,一點)”,可用and this/that/it來代替。
5. as多用于固定搭配中:as is often the case(這是常有的事),as was expected(不出所料),as often happens(正如經常發生的那樣),as is known to all(眾所周知),as has been said before(如上所述),as is mentioned above(正如上面所提到的)等。
注:which代表整個句子,還可用于in which case, at which point, on which occasion等。如:
I may have to work late, in which case I’ll telephone you. 我可能得晚點下班,那樣我會給你打電話的。