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Cherisharoma Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
the usage of that
One of the great causes that, while other creatures still remain where they are, man alone has made remarkable progress, is that he learned how to use fire.?
Is the first“that”necessary in the above sentence? If “yes”, what's the function of the “that”?
Many thanks!
Is the first“that”necessary in the above sentence? If “yes”, what's the function of the “that”?
Many thanks!
Top answer
I think it's saying One of the reasons that man alone has made progress (while other creatures have not) is that he learned how to use fire. I question the use of the word causes and the position of the parenthetical remark about other creatures. Omitting that is possible, but it would only make a murky sentence even less clear.
- I think it's saying One of the reasons that man alone has made progress (while other creatures have not) is that he learned how to use fire.
- I question the use of the word causes and the position of the parenthetical remark about other creatures.
- Omitting that is possible, but it would only make a murky sentence even less clear.
- CJ
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4 Answers
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I think it's saying
One of the reasons that man alone has made progress (while other creatures have not) is that he learned how to use fire.
I question the use of the word causes and the position of the parenthetical remark about other creatures.
Omitting that is possible, but it would only make a murky sentence even less clear.
CJ
One of the reasons that man alone has made progress (while other creatures have not) is that he learned how to use fire.
I question the use of the word causes and the position of the parenthetical remark about other creatures.
Omitting that is possible, but it would only make a murky sentence even less clear.
CJ
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Hi CJ,
Thanks a lot for your answer.
According to your new sentence, I know the second that is a pure conjunction and the whole that-clause is a subjective complement. But I do not know what is the function of the first that.
Could clarify it for me? Thank you.
Thanks a lot for your answer.
According to your new sentence, I know the second that is a pure conjunction and the whole that-clause is a subjective complement. But I do not know what is the function of the first that.
Could clarify it for me? Thank you.
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It's a substitute for for which or why. It's a relative pronoun whose antecedent is reason.
the reason that = the reason for which = the reason why
CJ
the reason that = the reason for which = the reason why
CJ
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Hi CJ,
Your serious replies were of much help to me. I greatly appreciate.
Have a nice weekend!
Your serious replies were of much help to me. I greatly appreciate.
Have a nice weekend!
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