We now have wireless computer networks, direct-broadcast

We know; "that without comma" or "comma+which" create relative sentences that refer to noun or noun-phrase immediately preceding it.

thus, C.D.E. are all out for there is no 'comma' before which. We are left with A & B, wherein 'that' clause modifies "global positioning systems'. . next, "pinpoint ...to" is idiomatic.

Answer: A

Hello Team,

Please explain why we have considered that over which [I have marked c option].

Thanks
Anand

Here the reason is pretty simple: Because there is no comma before which.

Having said that, I have not seen any current OG/GMATPrep question that tests you on solely this difference between which and that. This seems to be GMAT Paper based question and so, is perhaps not reflective of the current trend.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses which Vs that, its application and examples in significant detail. If someone is interested, PM me your email-id, I can mail the corresponding section.

Although I also chose A in the first go, still more explanation would be helpful here.

That and which difference.

A. that can pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches
to a few inches correct. THAT is correct.

B. that can pinpoint an individual’s location in a few inches
in a few inches is wrong

C. which can pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches
comma before which is necessary.

D. which can pinpoint an individual’s location of a few inches
comma before which is necessary.

E. which should pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches
comma before which is necessary.

Guys, imagine that option C had a comma before "which"

A. that can pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches

C. ,which can pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches

Would we have 2 correct answers? Or in this case, A would have to be eliminated because the main point of any GPS is to pinpoint your location! In this case the use of "that" would point to a specific type of GPS that pinpoints your location, but all GPS do that. Or would we be relying on external knowledge to be able to answer such question?..

GMAC would not expect a test-taker to base his / her answer on external knowledge. Moreover it is not expected that an answer choice would be required to be eliminated only because of punctuation error.

Ok, very useful info

thank you!

easy one
Comma is not given before that, so we need an essential modifier
So C,D and E are out.
only A or B is possible.
B is wrong because of use of preposition in
So A

We now have wireless computer networks, direct-broadcast satellite television, digital wireless cable television networks, global telephone service, and global positioning systems that can pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches.
A. that can pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches
B. that can pinpoint an individual’s location in a few inches
C. which can pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches
D. which can pinpoint an individual’s location of a few inches
E. which should pinpoint an individual’s location to a few inches

THAT Vs WHICH
THAT without comma should be used as essential modifier.
WHICH with commas should be used as non-essential modifier.

Here we can clearly see that modifier is essential to complete he sentence, also comma is not provided before which. So we have to use THAT
Eliminate option C,D,E

We are now left with 2 options A & B
to a few inches means the range of the devise is upto few inches.

Searching for better explanation for to a few inches vs in a few inches vs of a few inches.... Hope someone will post it.

Answer A

Hi ,

"which" should always followed by a comma( ,) . Is this an absolute rule?

Hi EtaCarnia,

Yes it is. "which" is used to introduce "non-restrictive modifiers", and "that" is used to introduce "restrictive modifiers". And the differentiator between the two is "comma". You won't see a comma before "that" (until and unless it is a comma pair setting off another modifier).

For more on this difference between "which" and "that" refer to this article and this article.

Hope it helps.

Hi PyjamaScientist

Perfectly makes sense . Thank you.

Hi,
I understand the which vs that concept.
However, I have a small doubt. Please correct me.
In this case "that" is a relative pronoun.
"That" is definitely not a conjunction.
My understanding is that "That" is a singular pronoun.
Plural of "that" is "those".

1. Although "that" is referring to plural nouns (GPSs), since the information is about any single GPS, we can use a singular pronoun. Is the explanation that I came up with right?
OR
the singular and plural nature don't matter?. For eg: "The sandalwood trees that cover an area of 3 sq. miles are deforested."

2. If singular and plural nature do not matter, does that mean singular and plural matter only if "That" is a determiner? "That bed" vs "Those beds".


Thanks in advance.
Srikanth Pilla.

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that the global positioning systems can pinpoint an individual’s location within a margin of error of a few inches.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers

• “that” is used to provide information needed to preserve the core meaning of the sentence, and the “comma + which” construction is used to provide extra information.
• “should” is used to convey a sense of obligation/desirability.

A: Correct.
1/ This answer choice uses the phrase "can pinpoint...to a few inches", conveying the intended meaning - that the global positioning systems are practically capable of pinpointing an individual’s location within a margin of error of a few inches.
2/ Option A correctly uses "that" to refer to information needed to preserve the core meaning of the sentence - the degree of accuracy to which the global positioning systems can pinpoint an individual's location.

B:
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "pinpoint...in a few inches"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that the global positioning systems can pinpoint an individual’s location within a margin of error of a few inches.

C:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses "which" to refer to information needed to preserve the core meaning of the sentence - the degree of accuracy to which the global positioning systems can pinpoint an individual's location; remember, “that” is used to provide information needed to preserve the core meaning of the sentence, and the “comma + which” construction is used to provide extra information.

D:
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "pinpoint...of a few inches"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that the global positioning systems can pinpoint an individual’s location within a margin of error of a few inches.
2/ Option D incorrectly uses "which" to refer to information needed to preserve the core meaning of the sentence - the degree of accuracy to which the global positioning systems can pinpoint an individual's location; remember, “that” is used to provide information needed to preserve the core meaning of the sentence, and the “comma + which” construction is used to provide extra information.

E:
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "should pinpoint"; the use of "should" incorrectly implies that it is necessary or desirable that the global positioning systems pinpoint an individual’s location within a margin of error of a few inches; the intended meaning is that the global positioning systems are practically capable of pinpointing an individual’s location within a margin of error of a few inches; remember, “should” is used to convey a sense of obligation/desirability.
2/ Option E incorrectly uses "which" to refer to information needed to preserve the core meaning of the sentence - the degree of accuracy to which the global positioning systems can pinpoint an individual's location; remember, “that” is used to provide information needed to preserve the core meaning of the sentence, and the “comma + which” construction is used to provide extra information.

Hence, A is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Which" versus "That" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team