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Snappy Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Double restrictive clause

1. Is there anything you need that you can't find? This sentence works.
2. Is there anything you can't find that you need? This sentence does not work.

I am wondering why the second one does not work.
This is my assumption: The sentence construction of "Is there anything + positive statement + negative statement" works.
The second one is not of this construction.

If my assumption is correct, "Is there anything you must eat that you don't like?" will work.
"Is there anything you don't like that you must eat?" will not work.

Is my assumption correct?

  

Top answer

1. Is there anything you need that you can't find? This sentence works.

— Clive

  • 1.
  • Is there anything you need that you can't find?
  • This sentence works.
  • 2.
  • Is there anything you can't find that you need?
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2 Answers
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1. Is there anything you need that you can't find? This sentence works.
2. Is there anything you can't find that you need? This sentence does not work.

These both seem OK to me, although I think #1 is more commonly said.

Clive

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Snappy"Is there anything you don't like that you must eat?"

That works for me.

Snappy"Is there anything you must eat that you don't like?"

That, too.

In fact, all four examples are reasonable English.

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