The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produce

that is one of the most versatile words in English grammar. It has 3 most prominent avatars:

i) As a relative pronoun, that relates to another noun preceding it in the sentence. Example: The car that is parked in the basement is mine.

ii) As a demonstrative pronoun, that stands for a person, place or thing that must be pointed to. Example: Peter's brother is taller than that of Jack.

iii) As a conjunction, that connects two clauses. Example: He said that he would work hard.

Based on which of the avatars the word that is used as, there are some key differences. One of the differences is: When used as a relative pronoun, that can refer to both singular and plural nouns. So, both the following are correct:

The car that is parked in the basement is mine.
– Relative pronoun that refers to singular noun car.

The cars that are parked in the basement are mine.
– Relative pronoun that refers to plural noun cars.

However, when used as a demonstrative pronoun, that can only refer to singular nouns. So, while the following are correct:

Peter's brother is taller than that of Jack.

Following is not correct (assuming Jack has multiple businesses):

Peter's businesses are doing better than that of Jack.
- Demonsrative pronoun that cannot refer to plural noun businesses

The correct sentence would be:

Peter's businesses are doing better than those of Jack.
- Demonsrative pronoun those will refer to plural noun businesses


p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana details the various avatars of that, their application and examples in significant detail. If you can PM you email-id, I can send you the corresponding section.

In this question the noun modifier "that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses" touches the noun individual. However it is modifying emotional reactions . I am aware that an "of prepositional phrase" is an exception to the touch rule of noun modifiers.
So as per this question ,can i deduce that in general a "the touch rule of noun modifiers" have all prepositional phrases ( as in this question "in an individual ") an exception ?

The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses.

(A) that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses

(B) that creates unconscious physiological responses in turn

(C) creating, in turn, unconscious physiological responses

(D) to create, in turn, physiological responses that are unconscious

(E) who creates unconscious physiological responses in turn

Could someone explain why the comma in A after "that" is correct? There is a rule, i belive before or after "that" there will never be a comma. Therefore it must be before "that" i guess. I trapped into it and chose B.

Here's (C) as it, without the comma.
The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual creating, in turn, unconscious physiological responses.
Here, without a comma between "individual" and "creating," the Modifier Touch Rule creates the strong expectation that the participle is acting as a noun modifier, modifying the noun it touches, "individual." The "in turn" after this is jarring, and makes this reading of the modification more ambiguous. The first reading is logically incorrect, and the the second interpretation is ambiguous. Either wrong or ambiguous---not a good choice either way. That's why (C) is wrong.


Mike

It's a very good idea in life to give real human people further chances when they mess up. With GMAT SC, we can't be so kindhearted and accepting: as soon as a sentence is not clear, we reject it outright. A correct answer doesn't need our charity.

Does all this make sense?

My friend, have a lovely day.

Mike

the structure {subject][verb][predicate][comma][participle], it is often the case that the participle refers back to the subject

I'm happy to respond, my friend.

Yes, the GMAT SC is about meaning because language and communication is about meaning. When you ask a question and I write a response, I am trying to address the meaning of your question with the meaning of my answer. When you read my response, you are concerned with understanding my meaning: you may also look at the grammar I use, but that's clearly of secondary important. Meaning is always the most important. It's important in life, so it's important on the GMAT.

See this blog:
Absolute Phrases on the GMAT
My friend, this doesn't fit into any of the previous patterns we have been discussing, because this is a completely different kind of pattern. The absolute phrase is a 100% valid grammar structure that often puzzles both non-native speakers and even some native English speakers, precisely because it's so rare and only appears in very formal writing. It does appears regularly on the GMAT SC, so it's a structure you have to know. That blog article will tell you a great deal about it.

I hope this helps you, my friend, and I hope you have an absolutely delightful day.

Mike

You can start a new thread in the Magoosh forum of GMAT Club if you like. You are always welcome to ask me about sentences you find in such sources. The more you practice, the more you will become familiar with recognizing the patterns in sophisticated English.

Have courage, my friend! You are very talented! You have my respect and admiration! You can do this!

Have a wonderful day!

Mike

thanks so much for your quick reply.

magoosh forums here is a good news for me.

BTY, am I authorized to post MAGOOSH questions @ Magoosh forum of GMAT Club

have a nice day
>_~

Dear zoezhuyan,

I'm happy to respond, my friend.

Yes, the GMAT SC is about meaning because language and communication is about meaning. When you ask a question and I write a response, I am trying to address the meaning of your question with the meaning of my answer. When you read my response, you are concerned with understanding my meaning: you may also look at the grammar I use, but that's clearly of secondary important. Meaning is always the most important. It's important in life, so it's important on the GMAT.

The sentence you quoted has two verbs "that suggests that has suggested." I am not sure why this is the case, but obviously, we only need on verb here: the simple present is better than the present perfect, so I will give the version of the sentence with the simple present. I will also add the word "that" after the verb "suggests."
Australian embryologists have found evidence that suggests that the elephant descended from an aquatic animal, its trunk originally evolving as a kind of snorkel.
Now, I will tell you something truly mind-boggling: this sentence is 100% correct. The structure that appears after the comma is what is known as an "absolute phrase." See this blog:
Absolute Phrases on the GMAT
My friend, this doesn't fit into any of the previous patterns we have been discussing, because this is a completely different kind of pattern. The absolute phrase is a 100% valid grammar structure that often puzzles both non-native speakers and even some native English speakers, precisely because it's so rare and only appears in very formal writing. It does appears regularly on the GMAT SC, so it's a structure you have to know. That blog article will tell you a great deal about it.

I hope this helps you, my friend, and I hope you have an absolutely delightful day.

Mike

Dear zoezhuyan,

I'm happy to respond. I hope life is treating you well, my friend.

Typically, when we have the structure {subject][verb][predicate][comma][participle], it is often the case that the participle refers back to the subject:
James Madison composed the Bill of Rights, enshrining these fundamental liberties as the law of the land.
Qin Shi Huang conquered all the warring states, uniting China into a single country.
Rain has a vast influence on the landscape, wearing away mountings over the course of eons.
In all three of these example sentences, the participle after the comma refers to the subject. Again, this is not always true, but it is a very typical structure.
Without the comma, this pattern could still be in effect, although it's less common. I can't think of an example at the moment.

Given that, look at (C):
The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual creating, in turn, unconscious physiological responses.
The BIG question this version opens concerns the target noun of "creating."
One common expectation is the Modifier Touch Rule, which would suggest that creating" modifies "individual."
Another common expectation, discussed in the OE, suggest the pattern I just discussed above: the participle modifies the subject of the clause: in that case, creating" would modify "lying."
Remarkably, neither one of these common expectations is correct. In fact, the word creating" is supposed to modify "emotional reactions. This correct target noun is clear from the prompt, but there is no way that the grammar of (C) makes clear the correct target noun. Choice (C) is profoundly ambiguous.

This OE, like many OEs in the GMAT OG, is brief and incomplete. It is not necessarily true that the sentence suggests that creating" modifies "lying:" that is one common interpretation, but not the only one. The Modifier Touch Rule might be in effect instead. That is an equally valid interpretation. The funny thing is: both of these interpretations are wrong! Not only does the sentence not give us a clear way to choose between the two most common choices---in fact, both of these common choices are wrong! That's how wrong version (C) is.

Here's the problem with your interpretation. You applied the Modifier Touch Rule: so far, so good. Then you said, it is illogical if people create responses, so "creating" modifies "reactions." Here's the problem. In a well-constructed sentence, the grammar has to follow the logic and make the logic clear: the job of a good sentence is to have everything working together seamlessly. If we have to step away from the grammatical constructions and think about logic in the abstract to find the right target noun, then the sentence has not done its job. That approach is far too forgiving: in that approach, the student does work outside the sentence and then gives the sentence credit for that work! We shouldn't have to do that. A well-constructed sentence doesn't need anybody's help: it is completely logical and clear exactly as it is.

It's a very good idea in life to give real human people further chances when they mess up. With GMAT SC, we can't be so kindhearted and accepting: as soon as a sentence is not clear, we reject it outright. A correct answer doesn't need our charity.

Does all this make sense?

My friend, have a lovely day.

Mike

Hi mike,
you mentioned two exception of modifier touch rule,

out of curiosity, whether V-ing can modify the noun in the structure[noun]+[prep phrase] +[ V-ing] ?

thanks a lot
have a nice day
>_~

2) A gerund, which takes the place of a noun: the subject of a clause, the direct object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.
Causing a violent public disturbance is a felony. [gerund as subject]
The parent didn't like causing her child to be late. [gerund as direct object]
The central bank lowered interest rates to prevent the bond crisis from causing a recession. [gerund as object of a preposition]

I don't know whether you meant [preposition] or [prepositional phrase] in your question.

My friend, I will get to some of those other links as I have time. My Magoosh job doesn't allow me to spend all day on GC.

Does all this make sense?

Take very good care of yourself, my friend.

Mike