Canada's flag contains a leaf. I want to ask what tree that leaf belongs to using preposition "of" instead of the verb "belong". Can I ask like this:
- What tree does Canada's flag contain a leaf of?
- What tree is it a leaf of on Canada's flag?
-
2"The leaf of which tree is shown on the flag of Canada?"– Kate BuntingCommented Oct 16, 2021 at 16:41
-
@KateBunting Please refrain from answering in the comments. It subverts the quality control mechanisms of the site, and the comments can be deleted without warning– nick012000Commented Oct 16, 2021 at 22:27
-
@nick012000 - It wasn't necessarily intended as an answer, just a suggestion. ,– Kate BuntingCommented Oct 17, 2021 at 11:55
Add a comment
|
3 Answers
The people who have answered using phrases like a leaf from which tree are giving you English. But as far as I'm concerned none of them is everyday English.
I would say, almost like your question
Which tree does the Canadian flag show a leaf from?
(Your "what" and "of" are both possible, but this is a more natural form, to my ear).
Your second sentence is grammatical, but confusing to read.
answered Oct 16, 2021 at 23:13
-
How about "What tree is the leaf on Canada's flag a leaf of?"? Is it grammatical?– VovaCommented Aug 3, 2023 at 3:37
-
@Vova: It's grammatical, but awkward and wordy, so I don't think many people would say it. Commented Aug 3, 2023 at 16:54
A more natural way to ask this: "What kind of leaf is on Canada's flag?" Or even: "What leaf is on Canada's flag?" People should understand this given that different kinds of leaves come from different kinds of trees.
Canada's flag contains a leaf of which tree?
However, I would probably say,
Canada's flag contains a leaf from which tree?
