Subject of sentence in 'that' clause? - From 'Thursday w/Ron

[chevalier.maxt]

A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors.

A - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors.

B - No longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, are the powerful effects of random reinforcement as indicated by a recent study.

C - As evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible game industry, a recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors.

D - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible card game industry, are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors.

E - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors. (I think this is the same sentence as A)




The correct is D. But my question is about the subject of the question: 'the powerful effects'. If you remove the modifier 'as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible card game industry' you are left with: 'a recent study indicated that the powerful effects of random reinforcement are no longer limited...'. Or more basic you are left with 'the effects are'.

My question concerns the 'that'. It seems to me that 'the powerful effects' is part of a 'that' clause which would preclude it from being the subject of the sentence. I understand the meaning of the sentence, which would make 'effects' and not 'study' the subject of the sentence.


My question is what role does 'that' play in this sentence? How can the subject of the sentence be part of a 'that' clause? I've had this type of question about the role of 'that' on other questions so I thought I would finally ask.

[Willy]

A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors.

A - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors.

B - No longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, are the powerful effects of random reinforcement as indicated by a recent study.

C - As evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible game industry, a recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors.

D - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible card game industry, are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors.

E - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors. (I think this is the same sentence as A)




The correct is D. But my question is about the subject of the question: 'the powerful effects'. If you remove the modifier 'as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible card game industry' you are left with: 'a recent study indicated that the powerful effects of random reinforcement are no longer limited...'. Or more basic you are left with 'the effects are'.

My question concerns the 'that'. It seems to me that 'the powerful effects' is part of a 'that' clause which would preclude it from being the subject of the sentence. I understand the meaning of the sentence, which would make 'effects' and not 'study' the subject of the sentence.


My question is what role does 'that' play in this sentence? How can the subject of the sentence be part of a 'that' clause? I've had this type of question about the role of 'that' on other questions so I thought I would finally ask.

What made you wonder subject can't be a part of 'that' clause. I think the role played by THAT in this sentence is of modifier i.e. modifying what a recent study indicates.

Lets see the correct option i.e. option D and break it into clauses. It says --

A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible card game industry, are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors.

Clause 1

A recent study indicates (study = subject, indicates = verb)

Clause 2

that the powerful effects of random reinforcement are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors. (the powerful effects = subject, are = verb)

Hope, I am making some sense.

[chevalier.maxt]

Here is an example where an answer is incorrect because the 'that' describes the noun before it

post10242.html


Sudhan wrote:
(E)the last day that they are scheduled to collect, the automobile company's severance package is available to workers


the problem here is that "the last NOUN that they are scheduled to VERB" implies that NOUN is the direct object of VERB. i.e., this version implies that the workers are collecting days. that doesn't make sense.

for instance, "the last show that the band is scheduled to play" would make sense, since "show" is actually meant to be the direct object of "play".

[Willy]

Here is an example where an answer is incorrect because the 'that' describes the noun before it

post10242.html


Sudhan wrote:
(E)the last day that they are scheduled to collect, the automobile company's severance package is available to workers


the problem here is that "the last NOUN that they are scheduled to VERB" implies that NOUN is the direct object of VERB. i.e., this version implies that the workers are collecting days. that doesn't make sense.

for instance, "the last show that the band is scheduled to play" would make sense, since "show" is actually meant to be the direct object of "play".

If I get it right then here is my reasoning why this option i.e. option E in the link is wrong. Option E says --

the last day that they are scheduled to collect, the automobile company's severance package is available to workers

Here, 'THAT they are scheduled to collect'is modifying 'the last day' and illogically implies that workers are collecting days.

Sentence is wrong because THAT is used as wrong modifier in this sentence and its usage make sentence illogical. But that doesn't mean THAT can't refer the noun before it. It is correctly used in following sentence

A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible card game industry, are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors.

[Willy]

For more detail you can read essential vs non-essential modifier in MGMAT SC guide (page no. 88-89 of 4th ed.). I hope that would make you more clear. Here is one example from this book.

The mansion THAT has been painted red is own by the Lees.

Here, THAT refers to 'mansion' correctly.

[vivs.gupta]

A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors.

A - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors.

B - No longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, are the powerful effects of random reinforcement as indicated by a recent study.

C - As evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible game industry, a recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors.

D - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible card game industry, are no longer limited to casino patrons, test subjects, and stock market investors.

E - A recent study indicates that the powerful effects of random reinforcement, as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectable card game industry, is no longer limited to casinos, test subjects, and stock market investors. (I think this is the same sentence as A)




The correct is D. But my question is about the subject of the question: 'the powerful effects'. If you remove the modifier 'as evidenced by the multi-million dollar collectible card game industry' you are left with: 'a recent study indicated that the powerful effects of random reinforcement are no longer limited...'. Or more basic you are left with 'the effects are'.

My question concerns the 'that'. It seems to me that 'the powerful effects' is part of a 'that' clause which would preclude it from being the subject of the sentence. I understand the meaning of the sentence, which would make 'effects' and not 'study' the subject of the sentence.


My question is what role does 'that' play in this sentence? How can the subject of the sentence be part of a 'that' clause? I've had this type of question about the role of 'that' on other questions so I thought I would finally ask.

Here, 'that' introduces the subordinator clause.
You can refer to the following text from sentence correction guide.

Subordinate Clause: He suggested that the world is flat.
The clause that the world isflat is the object of the verb suggested

[tim]

As per the forum rules, we need a verifiable source for the problem before we can deal with this question. If the question is not one of ours or one that is copyright-free, we will have to delete the question..