anveshr735 Wrote:Solutions to problems X, Y and Z that were difficult, are displayed on notice board.(Note: X,Y and Z are singular nouns)
Is the usage of "that" correct?
well... if 'x', 'y', and 'z' are
specific problems, this sentence wouldn't work. but the reason isn't something for which you'll be responsible on this exam.
––– YOU WILL NOT NEED TO KNOW THIS FOR THE EXAM –––', + who/which' DOES NOT qualify / narrow down the previous noun. rather, it just gives extra information about that noun.
e.g.,
Chicago, which lies downwind from Lake Michigan, receives a large amount of 'lake-effect' snow. --> there's only one city of chicago, so nothing is being narrowed/qualified here.
My sister, who works downtown, can buy the tickets in person.--> if i only have one sister, this sentence is correct (in that case the word 'sister' is not qualified/narrowed). if i have two or more sisters, the sentence is incorrect.
--
' + who/that' (NO comma) MUST qualify / narrow the previous noun in some way.
in other words, 'a NOUN that does xxxx'
should describe only some, NOT all, NOUNs. (this is what it means to 'qualify' or 'narrow' a concept.)
e.g.,
Cities that lie downwind from the Great Lakes receive a large amount of 'lake-effect' snow.--> not all cities lie downwind from these lakes, so this modifier is most certainly qualifying / narrowing down the word 'cities'.
My sister who works downtown can buy the tickets in person.--> if i have 2 or more sisters but only 1 works downtown, this sentence is correct.
if i have only 1 sister, it's incorrect. (if i have 2 or more sisters who work downtown, it's incorrect in a different way.)
––– YOU WILL NOT NEED TO KNOW THIS FOR THE EXAM –––