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Englishnewbie Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

The use of that to refer to an earlier noun?

Hello,

Is this ok?

I need a tool for tightening bolts that fits in my pocket.

Here "THAT" refers to the tool. BUt it occurs after "bolts."

But can I use it like this and be grammatically correct? Or must I place "that" immediately after "tool"?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, Is this ok? It's fine, and it's the natural word order. There is no confusion, because the singular verb 'fits' clearly refers to the singular antecedent 'tool'.

— Clive

  • Hi, Is this ok?
  • It's fine, and it's the natural word order.
  • There is no confusion, because the singular verb 'fits' clearly refers to the singular antecedent 'tool'.
  • In contrast, note the ambiguity here.
  • eg I need a tool for tightening a bolt t hat fits in my pocket.
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4 Answers
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Hi,

Is this ok? It's fine, and it's the natural word order. There is no confusion, because the singular verb 'fits' clearly refers to the singular antecedent 'tool'.
In contrast, note the ambiguity here.
eg I need a tool for tightening a bolt that fits
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Yes, it's fine.

The relative word "that" refers to the entire noun phrase "a tool for tightening bolts".

BillJ
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englishnewbieI need a tool for tightening bolts that fits in my pocket.
It's fine as written.
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