Can some point me to all various usage of words - that and

Question

Can some point me to all various usage of words - that and it ?

I think, these words are used as -
1. Pronoun
2. restrictive cause(modifier)

Any thing else ?

euxeno · Answer

As far as I'm aware,  it  always functions as a pronoun.

That  can be a few different things:

1. Restrictive relative clause modifier (There's the goose  that  lays the golden egg).
2. Demonstrative adjective (Please grab me  that  watermelon).
3. Demonstrative pronoun (I didn't mean  that !).
4. Finite  that -clause, in which the  that  is usually optional (I believe  that  everyone should have a puppy; the data show  that  global temperatures are rising).

The last one really doesn't have a textbook name as far as I can find. Does anyone know?

esledge · Answer

I'm also not sure whether there's a name for #4, although it's likely one exists. The "that" serves to create a noun phrase, which itself is the object of the main verb. In other words, "I believe  something " and the something is "everyone should have a puppy." You'll know you're dealing with an example of this when "that" follows a verb immediately and another subject/verb pair follow.

I'll throw in one more:

#5 Subjunctive mood: Our boss suggested that Larry attend the meeting.

This usage is similar to #4--"that" follows a verb immediately, and "Our boss suggested  something ."

The difference is that "Larry attend" is not a normal subject/verb pair (note that, on its own, we'd say "Larry attend s  a meeting." The verb in this "that" clause is hypothetical (our boss just wants Larry to attend, but he hasn't yet, and in fact may not), so it gets a special form: the infinitive (to attend) minus the "to."

For #5, the GMAT requires the "that" even though many people omit it in speech.
For #4, the GMAT seems to prefer to include the "that," also.

ms · Answer

Thank you Guys ! 
SC is my weakest area and i'm trying to get a handle on such basic concepts. The explanations were very helpful.

ms · Answer

guys, i am slightly confused.

in the below example - 
 1. Restrictive relative clause modifier (There's the goose  that lays  the golden egg).

Can we change the above sentence to say -

There's the goose  laying  the golden egg

Basically, can we replace   that lays    with   laying   and maintain the same meaning ?

euxeno · Answer

Fair question...

It does not mean the same thing. There are two key differences between them.

1) by using  that  to introduce the relative clause, we make it clear that we're talking about the one-and-only goose with the ability to lay golden eggs. If we take  that  away, or replace it with  which , we're now only referring to one goose which happens to lay golden eggs, saying nothing of the fact that other geese can't lay golden eggs. That's the gist of the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive relative clauses.

2) by changing the verb from  lays  to  laying , it changes the timing of the egg laying.  That lays  communicates that the goose can lay golden eggs, but that sentence doesn't tell us when that goose will lay any of those golden eggs.  Laying  communicates a progressive action, one that is currently taking place, so the goose is laying the egg as we speak, right in front of our eyes!

ms · Answer

I have a question realted to # 2 -

I think  laying  is an participle. Since participle do not decide the actual time that event occurs, is i fair to say that the event(laying of eggs) is happeing right now in front of our eyes ?

Please correct me if i am wrong.

euxeno · Answer

On the contrary, participles are one of the principle ways to indicate timing.

Indeed,  laying  is a participle--a present progressive participle, which indicates a current action.

Can some point me to all various usage of words - that and

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