BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Usage of "THAT" in OG question

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:20 am
Thanked: 7 times

Usage of "THAT" in OG question

by ankit0703 » Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:42 pm
As a result of a supernova explosion, every human being on Earth was bombarded on February 23, 1987, by about 100 billion neutrinos; fortunately, neutrinos are harmless elementary particles that are produced in nuclear reactions and that interact very weakly with matter.

As far as I understand "that" in the above sentence refer to particles, which is plural.

Isn't "that" is a singular pronoun?
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 254
Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:42 am
Thanked: 46 times
Followed by:13 members
GMAT Score:740

by ivyctor2010 » Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:16 pm
I think the dilemma here would have been to use "that" or "which" and "that" is right usage here as is limits the focus to neutrinos. Here author does not simply wish to add information about neutrinos but is giving focussed information about them.
Ivyctor Mobile App packed with school selection, scholarship, application management and alumni connect
Download https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .app&hl=en
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:20 am
Thanked: 7 times

by ankit0703 » Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:34 am
ivyctor2010 wrote:I think the dilemma here would have been to use "that" or "which" and "that" is right usage here as is limits the focus to neutrinos. Here author does not simply wish to add information about neutrinos but is giving focussed information about them.
Thanks for your valuable reply but my question is :

Isn't "that" is a singular pronoun?
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 279
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:56 pm
Thanked: 60 times
Followed by:10 members

by anuprajan5 » Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:36 am
Ankit,

that is not a singular or plural pronoun.

Example

I read an article that referred back to a particular controvery.
She read a number of articles that were controversial.

Regards
Anup
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 646
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 7:08 am
Thanked: 322 times
Followed by:143 members

by Kasia@EconomistGMAT » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:29 am
"That" has more than one meaning. The one that you are referring to is when it is used as an adjective:
e.g. Was it THAT man who was shooting?
You are right that it can be used to modify only singular nouns.

However, in the sentence "As a result of a supernova explosion, every human being on Earth was bombarded on February 23, 1987, by about 100 billion neutrinos; fortunately, neutrinos are harmless elementary particles that are produced in nuclear reactions and that interact very weakly with matter." "that" acts as a function word introducing a relative clause modifying "neutrinos." When used for such a purpose, "that" can modify both singular and plural nouns.
Kasia
Senior Instructor
Master GMAT - the #1 rated GMAT course

"¢ If you found my post helpful, please click the "thank" button and/or follow me.

"¢ Take a 7 day free trial and find out why Economist GMAT is the highest rated GMAT course - https://gmat.economist.com/

"¢ Read GMAT Economist reviews - https://reviews.beatthegmat.com/economis ... mat-course
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1