Job Discussion Forums

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 7:24 pm Post subject:

"...electrons are a useful model that explains observations like..."

Nothing much to add other than a few examples that popped into my head:

the electron is a useful model that explains

the electron is/electrons are a useful model for explaining

Oh, and a thumbnail movie review Very Happy

:

Syntaxter: Crime writer Ethan Squawke moves into a creepy house to investigate the murders that were committed there, but becomes sidetracked by what to him appear to be grammatically anomalous sentences in various books left by the previous occupants, all the while stalked by an increasingly menacing pagan deity called Mr Chomksgie.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 7:37 pm Post subject:

If you are so convinced, then may I suggest you change your inappropriate and misleading user-name?

Regards,
John

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 7:47 pm Post subject:

Oh wait, not Mr Chomksgie, but Mr Johnslat. Surprised

johnslat · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:45 pm Post subject:

Dear fluffyhamster,

You can call me John - and I'm merely a demigod, not a full-fledged deity. Very Happy

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 11:55 am Post subject:

How about this?

Genetic modifications are a feature of evolution which explain/explains species variation.

(Hic! I'm still hitting the hard stufff)

Mr. English · Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 298 Location: Nakuru, Kenya

Not so different from my original example. I would use "that" rather than "which", but otherwise:
Genetic modifications are a feature of evolution that explain species variation.

It's the modifications that do the explaining, just as it's the electrons. Yes, genetic modifications are features of evolution, and yes, electrons are a useful model. They also explain.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:13 pm Post subject:

Here we go again: "modifications" = subject of "are;" "which/that" = subject of "explains;" which/that refers back to feature.

Keep 'em coming. Very Happy

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:48 pm Post subject:

Can I digress into the which and that silliness that always come/comes up?

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 2:01 pm Post subject:

Dear Sasha,

No! You people are a problem that/which have no solution. Very Happy

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:24 pm Post subject:

Dear Johnslat

You people? Tsk tsk!!! I believe that that is one of those phrases which is/are frown upon. I know this because the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are always politically correct. Hic!

With Communist greetings

Sasha

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:54 pm Post subject:

Dear Sasha,

I regret to be the bearer of sad tidings, but the USSR is defunct, In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Kim Jong-un, North Korea's Supreme leader,
He needs all the help he can get. Cash only, please.

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:20 pm Post subject:

Dear Johnslat

You have been misinformed. Not only is the CCCP not defunct, but the Cold War is getting hot, again...

...Now where'd I leave that batch of ICBMs, that roll/rolls on the conveyor belt...? Like sausages, hic!

With Communist greetings

Sasha