what noun does a relative clause refer to?

[hiphopdidi7623]

hi, all

I am a taiwanese student and poor in english.
I will try to depict my question as possible as I can.

Below are cited from MGMAT sc 4th edtion:

1.
He had a way of dodging opponents that impressed the scouts. (that impressed.... Modifies a way.)

How do I identify the usage of "which" and "that" in the structure of "N of N, or N+modifier(a modifier includes another N)"?
Moreover, how do I modify the second N in the "N of N" structure without any ambigious words-"which/that"?


2.
Owen walked out of the store, his head held high.

How does the subjected clause work without any linking words?

I've studied the MGMAT SC 4th edition and the OG 12th, but am still confuse to these problems.

thank you

[RonPurewal]

He had a way of dodging opponents that impressed the scouts. (that impressed.... Modifies a way.)

How do I identify the usage of "which" and "that" in the structure of "N of N, or N+modifier(a modifier includes another N)"?
Moreover, how do I modify the second N in the "N of N" structure without any ambigious words-"which/that"?

in such constructions, the relative pronoun (which/that) is free to modify either the second noun or the whole "noun of noun" construction. to determine what is being modified, just think about the meaning of the sentence.

The Smith Co. has a way of identifying defective products that is more reliable than rival firms' methods.
--> here, from the meaning of the sentence, it's clear that the pronoun "that" refers to "way of identifying defective products".

The Smith Co. has a way of identifying defective products that may cause danger to consumers.
--> here, from the meaning of the sentence, it's clear that the pronoun "that" refers to "defective products".

2.
Owen walked out of the store, his head held high.

How does the subjected clause work without any linking words?

I've studied the MGMAT SC 4th edition and the OG 12th, but am still confuse to these problems.

thank you

that's called an "absolute phrase".

for more information you can just google this term; here's one page that i found by doing so:
http://grammar.about.com/od/basicsenten ... utephr.htm

[hiphopdidi7623]

thank you, Ron.

What a benficial webpage to me.

[tim]

glad to hear it..