SC - the use of 'agree'

[Jack78]

Hi team, this is my very first post in Manhattan forum.
On P145 of 5th SC, a sample Wrong sentence of 'Agree' is

Electrons are particles physicists AGREE THAT EXIST.

Why is this sentence wrong? My take is, this sentence is essentially
Electrons are particles that exist.

"Physicists agree" is the modifier to 'particles'. So the sentence looks good to my eyes and sounds well to my ears. :-)

Would you please shed some light on this?

[tim]

Welcome to the forums!

If "physicists agree" is to modify "particles", we need a "that" between them. This is where the "that" belongs. The point of the sentence is "physicists agree that electrons exist", not "electrons exist".

[Jack78]

Hi Tim,
Thanks.
To clarify on the correct use of 'that' in this sentence.

Option A:
Electrons are particles that physicists agree exist.

Option B:
Electrons are particles that physicists agree THAT exist.

Option A is a correct sentence, which is displayed on P145 of SC, in the 'agree' 'right' section.

Firstly,
Can I shorten Option A to: "Electrons are particles that exist" ? So, In Option A, the 'physicists agree' is modifying the 'that' in the sentence. Is my understanding correct?
Secondly,
Would you consider option B correct as well? My understanding is, in option B, 'that physicists agree' and 'that exist' both are modifying directly the object 'particles'.

Thanks.

[tim]

Option B is incorrect, because you cannot use the second "that". Your shortened version of option A is correct, but it does convey a totally different meaning from that of option A itself.

[Jack78]

Tim,
Thanks for your reply.
"Option B is incorrect, because you cannot use the second "that". "

Can you elaborate why the second THAT cannot be there?

[tim]

Can you explain to me why why this sentence is incorrect?

Sure, you will tell me it's because there are two "why"s, but can you explain to me why I can't use two "why"s without telling me it's just not right to do it that way?

[Jack78]

lol
Cool, thanks for making up this example. It clarifies. cheers

[tim]

Glad to hear it helped. I was worried that my example might cause more confusion than it resolved. :)