Is this sentence correct ?

Question

While going through MGMAT's SC guide I came across the following sentence,

"Frank's build, like that of his brother, is broad and muscular."

I had read on this forum in a few places that the word 'that' points to the complete noun and that we must substitute the whole noun and see if the sentence makes sense. In this case shouldn't 'that' stand in for 'Frank's build' ? In which case the sentence will not make any sense. MGMAT however calls this sentence as correct. Besides, if 'that' makes a copy of the same thing, in this case 'Frank's build', it doesn't make sense right ? What am I missing ?

Will appreciate if someone can point out the fallacy in my understanding.

Will appreciate expert reply.

yashikaaggarwal · Answer

That here is modifying build. Frank's is a possessive noun and any pronoun can't refer back to possessive. So the that in the later clause, referring to build. 
Sentence is correct.

Posted from my mobile device

altairahmad · Answer

As per my understanding, the noun here is not just 'build', its 'Frank's build'. I believe, you can't separate 'build' and 'Frank's'.

altairahmad · Answer

Looking for an expert to weigh in on this.

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  altairahmad . I agree with what  yashikaaggarwal  wrote above. What seems to be causing you discomfort is the pairing of a possessive with a non-possessive, but whatever is being possessed in either case serves as the center of comparison. Consider:

1) Frank's build, like his brother's, is broad and muscular.

2) The build of Frank, like the build of his brother, is broad and muscular.

The second spinoff sounds a little antiquated, but it could pass as a legitimate comparison. Mixing and matching one part of either comparison with its logical counterpart in the other sentence presents no issues in terms of meaning.

I have seen misprints before in Manhattan Prep books, but never a flat-out wrong teaching of a concept. Trust the book and carry this knowledge with you as you continue your studies.

Best of luck.

- Andrew

altairahmad · Answer

Spot on  yashikaaggarwal  and  AndrewN

I came across an OG question that verifies this.

Thanks for the help.

AndrewN · Answer

I had little doubt,  altairahmad , but I am glad that you discovered an official question to solidify the point. Thank you for following up and letting others who may come across this thread know what you found.

Good luck as you continue your preparation.

- Andrew

ArupRS · Answer

I would like to add one point. Only possessive pronouns can refer back to a possessive noun. 
Example : His, Its etc

Regards,
Arup

Is this sentence correct ?

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