vishwjeet wrote:Here is another old question,
Marconi's conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communication with a large, public audience.
(A) Marconi's conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is
(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become
(D) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a tool for private conversation, a substitute for the telephone, which has become
(E) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, other than what it is,
the answer is C
Does "that ..." acts as a modifier? If yes than what are the rules followed? What is the portion marked in bold in C modifying? Can anyone help? I always thought that "that ..." is a restrictive clause and should immediately follow the object which it describes, so as per me conversation is being described as a substitute for the telephone in C.
well ... the rules aren't *that* specific/restrictive.
basically, if you have NOUN1 + (other stuff) + "that ...", then the modifier can still modify NOUN,
as long as the context is clear.
also, if you have NOUN1 + (modifier that ends with NOUN2) + "that ...", then "that..." can modify either NOUN1 or NOUN2.
you need to use your understanding of the context, combined with a healthy dose of common sense, to figure out which one is the referent.
e.g.
Geologists have invented a new method of classifying rocks that are produced by volcanoes
--> correct; the underlined modifier modifies "rocks", as it is clear that rocks (and not a method) are produced by volcanoes.
Geologists have invented a new method of classifying rocks that is capable of classifying twice as many rocks as the previous system could
--> also correct; this time the underlying modifier modifies "method (of classifying rocks)".
see OG12 diagnostic test #50 for an example of this usage in a correct answer.
you can even have a verb in between:
A new method of classifying rocks has been devised that is capable of classifying twice as many rocks as the previous system could.
--> also correct.
--
the reason why modifier rules aren't as strict as you think is that a large number of ideas would become absolutely impossible to express in writing if they were.
for instance, if something is a tool for private conversation and that thing can substitute for the telephone, then you have to write "a tool for private conversation that can substitute for the telephone".
basically, modifiers should be placed
as close as possible to the words that they are intended to modify, but
no rule will ever nullify the necessity of using common-sense interpretation.
this is actually why these modifiers are tested so frequently -- because they are NOT strictly mechanical. the writers of the verbal section generally have very little interest in testing things that are based on black-and-white, methodical rules.
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