Use of that and which

[targetgmat123]

Can someone please clarify my doubt:

1. The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual that, in turn, create unconscious physiologial responses.

In this question 126 of OG, "that" before comma refers back to "emotional reactions" and not to "individual". The reason we give is "in an individual" is a prepositional phrase and "that" refers back to preceding noun, which is "emotional reactions". Correct??

But
2. In the review of 2000 studies of human behavior that date back to 1940's, two Swiss psychologists, declared that since most of the studies had failed to control for such variables as social class and family size, none could be taken seriously.

In this question:

"that" before "date" refers to "2000 studies", but is "of 2000 studies" a prepositional phrase, and hence "that" should ideally refer back to "review" ???

My query now is if there is a "noun+prepositional phrase(containing a noun)" before "that" in a sentence, than what should "that" refer back to.
Similarly if there is a "noun+prepositional phrase(containing a noun), " before "which" than what "which" refer back to.

Please anyone explain my query.
Thank You

[Jazmet]

I too would like to get more understanding on this.

Thank you!

[jlucero]

There's a lot of discussion on these forums about this issue- try searching for "mission critical modifier" to learn more. Ultimately, "that + modifier" is allowed to modify a noun phrase (rather than the noun in the previous prepositional phrase) as long as there is clear meaning:

The picture of my brother that is hanging by the fireplace... (that can't refer to a person/brother = clear meaning)

The picture of the chair that is brown is hanging by the fireplace... (unclear meaning)

Your example is clear in meaning because of the singular/plural split between reactions/individual:

emotional reactions in an individual that create unconscious physiologial responses.

Because you can't say "individual that create...", this sentence is ok.

[gauravtyagigmat]

Hi Instructor,

Can "that" refer to plural antecendent.
I have seen quite a few problems in OG where that is refering to plural antecedet
I am altering an OG question
corret OG 12 Q24
In virtually all types of movies in hollywood, joke in movie induces the production of comical scenes that are the director's method to attract more audience to the theater.

According of manhattan sentence correction book
(mission critical modifer)
that is refering to " production of comical scenes"
but verb that follows "that" is plural

please clarify can we refer plural antecedents with that and which?.
This question really confuses me.
I eagerly waiting for in this regard
thanks in advance
Gaurav tyagi

[RonPurewal]

can we refer plural antecedents with that and which?

Yes.

[RonPurewal]

When you use the above, take care not to confuse "that" at the beginning of a modifier with "that" as a pronoun in a comparison.

Starting a modifier, "that" can describe either singular or plural things.
I have the phone that you left on the table.
I have the coins that you left on the table.

If it's a pronoun in a comparison, "that" can only be singular, and must be changed to "those" for plural.
The sales tax rate in Nevada is lower than that in California.
Residents of Seattle are, on average, taller than those of New York.

[gauravtyagigmat]

Thank you Sir,
is your explaination about "that" applies to "which" also?
I mean when "which" is used at beginning of a modifier it can describe singular and plural.

When "which" is used as pronoun it can refer to singular

[RonPurewal]

Thank you Sir,
is your explaination about "that" applies to "which" also?
I mean when "which" is used at beginning of a modifier it can describe singular and plural.

It's both.

The mattress, which was only one month old, was already beginning to sag.

The mattresses, which were only one month old, were already beginning to sag.

[RonPurewal]

When "which" is used as pronoun it can refer to singular

Still both.

It is easy to tell which of these 100 people is the tallest.

It is easy to tell which of these 100 people are women.