Grammar Question

Marisa   Thursday, March 06, 2003, 10:05 GMT
To native speakers

Does the following sentence sound right to you?

"I have to go back to the meeting which I don't know when it will be over."

If the sentence is incorrect, I would appreciate it if you would rewrite it for me.

Thanks in advance.
Simon   Thursday, March 06, 2003, 10:08 GMT
No, I don't think you can say that.

I have to go back to the meeting. I don't know when it will be over.
kurre   Thursday, March 06, 2003, 10:48 GMT
Simon is right. You can also say, "I have to go back to the meeting, but I don't know when it will be over."

there are also other ways to say it

I have to go back to the meeting which could last for a while.
.....which could go on for a while.
Jim   Friday, March 07, 2003, 03:49 GMT
"I have to go back to the meeting which I don't know when it will be over." is wrong. The words "which" and "it" refer to the same thing so it's wrong to use them both. You could get away with "I have to go back to the meeting which will be over I don't know when." this is grammatically correct but very convoluted. The suggestions above are more natural.
cmhiv   Friday, March 07, 2003, 04:44 GMT
"I have to go back to the meeting, and I don't know when it will be over."

I think this would be the best.
steve   Friday, March 07, 2003, 11:39 GMT
yes, cmhiv is correct!
you can pronounce like that
I have to go back to the meeting, and I don't know when it will be over

its a simple thing isn't it!