Relative Pronoun (which) use when two nouns are present.

[wmomand]

I'm a bit confused about what the relative pronoun "which" refers to in a sentence like this:

They supervised the games (noun) on the basketball court (noun phrase), which were two days long.

Is this construction incorrect?

In class, I was taught that the relative pronoun would refer to the noun closest to the comma. In this case that wouldn't make any sense because the "court" can't be two days long, but the "games" can last two days long.

[RonPurewal]

In general, "which" can stand for (a) just a noun, or (b) noun + preposition (of, for, in, at, etc.) + other noun.
See #26 in the 12th edition OG (about Susan H. Dickinson) for an illustration.

In class, we teach a simpler version of the rule first. Because you have to learn to walk before you can learn to run.

[bishwajit.kumar09]

In general, "which" can stand for (a) just a noun, or (b) noun + preposition (of, for, in, at, etc.) + other noun.
See #26 in the 12th edition OG (about Susan H. Dickinson) for an illustration.

In class, we teach a simpler version of the rule first. Because you have to learn to walk before you can learn to run.

Hi Ron,

I have a doubt on uses of 'which'. It's mentioned below:

1) They supervised the games on the basketball court, which were two days long. - CORRECT as per you previous post
2) They supervised the games on the basketball court, which was perfectly placed in the heart of the city. In this case, can I use 'which was' giving explanation that 'which' is referring back to 'court'.

Thanks for your response!

Regards
BK

[RonPurewal]

1) They supervised the games on the basketball court, which were two days long. - CORRECT as per you previous post
2) They supervised the games on the basketball court, which was perfectly placed in the heart of the city. In this case, can I use 'which was' giving explanation that 'which' is referring back to 'court'.

Thanks for your response!

Regards
BK

Both sentences are fine.