Usage of "that"

Question

Hi

I have a question.

When do we use "that" and when can we avoid using "that" in a sentence?

eg. Of all the corporate "green" policies, this is the one I find most disingenuous.

Why did we avoid using "that" here?

Thanks

egmat · Answer

Hi there,

Before we get to the point of when to use and when to omit "that" is a sentence, first let's discuss HOW "that" is used in a sentence.

"That" is used in two roles in a sentence:
a. as a connector or to be more "grammatical" as a subordinating conjunction -> They connect a Dependent Clause (DC) to an Independent Clause (IC).
b. as a relative pronoun modifier that gives additional information about the preceding noun entity in a form of a clause. The thing to note here is that they either may be the Subject of the DC they start or may start a DC.

Let's now take the example of each type:

1. We all know that the Sun rises in the east. -> In this sentence, "that" acts as a connector and joins the IC (We all know) with the DC. |

2. I bought the umbrella that was blue in color. -> Here "that" is Relative Pronoun Modifier as it provides more information about"the umbrella", the preceding Noun Entity. Here, "that" acts as the Subject of the Dc that it starts.

3. The pizza that my brother yesterday was extremely delicious. -> Here again, "that" is Relative Pronoun Modifier as it provides more information about"The pizza", the preceding Noun Entity. Here, "that" DOES NOT act as the Subject of the DC that it starts.

Now "that" can be omitted from a sentence when it DOES NOT act as the Subject of the DC that is starts. This omission most certainly includes the usage of "that" as a connector because in this role, "that" NEVER acts as the Subject of the DC. This omission also includes the usage of "that" as a Relative Pronoun Modifier when it DOES NOT act as the Subject of the DC it starts.

So sentences 1 & 3. can actually be rewritten as:

1. We all know the Sun rises in the east.

3. The pizza my brother yesterday was extremely delicious.

However, we CANNOT omit "that" from sentence 2. because there "that" works as the Subject.

Now let's come to the sentence that you have cited: Of all the corporate "green" policies, this is the one (that) I find most disingenuous.

So here "that" is omitted after "one". Here it acts as a Relative Pronoun Modifier because it provides more information about the preceding noun "the one" that stands for one of the green policies. Now "that" can be omitted here because it DOES NOT act as the DC that it starts. The Subject of that DC is "I".

For more on this topic and analyses of some official examples, please read the following article:
learn-how-that-can-help-you-demystify-a-long-sentence-138358.html

Hope this helps. :-)

Thanks.
SJ

Thanks. SJ

aarushisingla · Answer

Can "That" refers to the preceding noun if the noun is in prepositional phrase ?

Katy101 · Answer

The loss of confidence among consumers that led to a sudden reduction in consumption and investment spending, causing both dramatic drops in demand and credit, and disruption of trade, ultimately resulting

Here, we can't use that because we don't know whether the subject is confidence or consumers, right?

Here, we can't use that because we don't know whether the subject is confidence or consumers, right?

EducationAisle · Answer

Yes  aarushisingla , of course! For example:

Mike is the owner of the car that was recently launched .

Here, "that" refers to the noun "car", even though "car" is in the prepositional phrase "of the car".

EducationAisle · Answer

Not correct. "that" is neither referring to  confidence  nor to  consumers ; "that" is referring to " loss  of confidence", because this is what  makes sense !

Also it is worthy to note that "that" cannot modify "consumers"; if the intent was to modify "consumers", the correct relative pronoun should have been "who".

Do remember that there is considerable  flexibility  in terms of what "that" can modify.

p.s. Our book    EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana    discusses  modifier issues of "that" , their application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.

aparnakiran · Answer

Hi, I have a doubt.
Here in the first example - We all know that the Sun rises in the east - Isn't "We all know" the dependent clause and "the Sun rises in the east" the independent clause logically? Then how is "We all know" the IC?
Could anyone please clear up this doubt?

Usage of "that"

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