logitech wrote:The acquaintances who we like most are those that flatter us best.

Please do comment on this sentence.

Cheers

sentence has two subordinate clauses

first clause : who we like most
second clause: those that flatter us best.

subject of the main sentence : we

object: acquaintances

first clause should begin with "whom" instead of "who" since it is referring to the object i.e. acquaintances

in the second clause : "that" is incorrectly used to refer people

that and which can be used only to refer to actions and things

in the second clause:
those i.e. acquaintances become the subject of that clause and "us" becomes the object
therefore we have to use "who" instead of "that"

The usage of superlative form of adverbs ( most and best) is correct.
when we use superlative form of adverb in comparative form definite article "the" is required.

The acquaintances whom we like the most are those who flatter us the best.

Pls do let me know if I am correct.

Hi parallel chase,

Good to see you back in action.

Just one doubt.

According to MGMAT SC,

that can refer people or things.

If this is correct than "that" is above sentence is correct., isnt it?

parallel_chase in DA HOUSE!!

You are right man!

Logitech,

Can you please clarify my doubt?

I would use THAT for only things.

The only human pronoun that can be used for things is WHOSE

- I read all of these from MGMAT SC guide. If I am wrong, shame on you MGMAT!

unfortunately logitech i had my mgmat class on monday and i brought up that exact point on 'whose' and they were ambiguous about it.

so, i'd probably veer away from using whose for non-humans unless that is the only option available.

schumi_gmat wrote:Hi parallel chase,

Good to see you back in action.

Just one doubt.

According to MGMAT SC,

that can refer people or things.

If this is correct than "that" is above sentence is correct., isnt it?

Schumi you are absolutely correct.

MGMAT, 2007 edition, pg 76, TOPIC: Modifiers with Relative Pronouns, Last paragraph.

Pronoun who introduces phrases that modify people or group of people.
Pronoun which introduce phrases that modify things.
Pronoun that can be used to modify either people or things.


Conclusion: "that" can be used in place of "who" in the second clause.

Comments.

niraj_a wrote:unfortunately logitech i had my mgmat class on monday and i brought up that exact point on 'whose' and they were ambiguous about it.

so, i'd probably veer away from using whose for non-humans unless that is the only option available.

Usage of Whose

Whose replaces the possessive form of a noun or a pronoun

Whose can refer to people, animal or things.

and new MGMAT 3rd Edition, Page 105 states that:

"According to the GMAT, clauses led by the pronoun that cannot modify people. Other grammatical authorities disagree, but what matters on test day is the GMAT's point of view"


So - I am not using that for humans! !

You are correct Logitech.

GMAT does says "who" should be used to refer to people rather than "that"

Check out OG10 explanation Q188 for better clarity.