0
Endeavour Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Confused with "that"
I wish to know if the word "that" is used as a relative pronoun in the sentence below to refer to the whole previous clause:
He had been living there for such a long time that he didn't want to move to another.
If it is not, what syntax does it use to appear here? For example, I know "that" can be used to introduce a noun clause.
E.g. I like that he is an intelligent man.
The above sounds fine to me if I replace that-clause with a noun like flower - I like flower.
However, the first example doesn't sound right to me when I substitute its that-clause with a noun -
He had been living there for such a long timeflower.
Well, that's how I make sense of using "that" when I am sure it's not a relative clause.
Thank you.
He had been living there for such a long time that he didn't want to move to another.
If it is not, what syntax does it use to appear here? For example, I know "that" can be used to introduce a noun clause.
E.g. I like that he is an intelligent man.
The above sounds fine to me if I replace that-clause with a noun like flower - I like flower.
However, the first example doesn't sound right to me when I substitute its that-clause with a noun -
He had been living there for such a long time
Well, that's how I make sense of using "that" when I am sure it's not a relative clause.
Thank you.
Top answer
" The sentence is now correct. "That" is a conjunction, not a relatiev pronoun. If the antecedent of a relative is en entire clause, "which" must be used: He had been living there for such a long time, which was known by everybody.
- " The sentence is now correct.
- "That" is a conjunction, not a relatiev pronoun.
- If the antecedent of a relative is en entire clause, "which" must be used: He had been living there for such a long time, which was known by everybody.
- " Wrong.
- Say: I think that he is an intelligent man.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
"He had been living there for such a long time that he didn't want to move elsewhere."
The sentence is now correct. "That" is a conjunction, not a relatiev pronoun. If the antecedent of a relative is en entire clause, "which" must be used: He had been living there for such a long time, which was known by everybody.
" I like that he is an intelligent man."
The sentence is now correct. "That" is a conjunction, not a relatiev pronoun. If the antecedent of a relative is en entire clause, "which" must be used: He had been living there for such a long time, which was known by everybody.
" I like that he is an intelligent man."
00
Your instinct is correct; it's not a relative word introducing a relative clause.
In fact, "that" is a subordinator introducing the declarative content clause "that he didn't want to move to another". The syntax works like this: "such" modifies "a long time" and licenses (permits) the content clause that follows, which expresses the result of his living there for the length of time he ha
In fact, "that" is a subordinator introducing the declarative content clause "that he didn't want to move to another". The syntax works like this: "such" modifies "a long time" and licenses (permits) the content clause that follows, which expresses the result of his living there for the length of time he ha
0
Related Questions