The area we designate as that of spiritual values

Question

"the area we designate as that of spiritual values -- J. B. Conant"The expression would have made perfect sense , at least for me, without 'that'. What is its function there?

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

I assume it means "the area we designate as the area of spiritual values". In other words, "that" stands for "the area".

CalifJim · Answer

Jackson6612What is its function there?

that repeats an already stated definite noun phrase in the combination that of. In other words, that of means the X of, where X is the previous noun to be repeated. In this case, that of = the area of.

Compare:

The budget of the government is vastly greater than that of our little company.
= ... greater than the budget of our little company.

If necessary, we can replace the lid of this pot with that of the frying pan.
= ... with the lid of the frying pan.

The title they gave to the movie was exactly that of the book on which it was based.
= ... was exactly the title of the book ...

CJ

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks a lot, Mr W, CJ.

The area we designate as that of spiritual values

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions