The use of "that of"

[deelaa]

Hi everyone,

I have some confusion regarding the use of "that of". Referring to the following example, is the sentence still correct if we remove the "that of" so that the sentence just become:

"I wanted to know if that struggle was any harder than more modern humans.”

Example :
"I wanted to know if that struggle was any harder than that of more modern humans.”

I need an assistance from any experts out there. Please advice on the when to use "that of"

Thanks a lot

[BobK]

Hi everyone,

I have some confusion regarding the use of "that of". Referring to the following example, is the sentence still correct if we remove the "that of" so that the sentence just become:

"I wanted to know if that struggle was any harder than more modern humans.”

Example :
"I wanted to know if that struggle was any harder than that of more modern humans.”

I need an assistance from any experts out there. Please advice on the when to use "that of"

Thanks a lot

The sentence needs the 'that of' - though in most contexts, it's understandable without (so some people will no doubt argue that you may as well leave it out; I disagree).

The comparison is of the struggle - that of cavemen [or some other early human community] and that of more modern humans. So you could say either of these:

• "I wanted to know if that struggle was any harder than that of more modern humans.”
• "I wanted to know if that struggle was any harder than more modern humans' [struggle].”

Colloquially, one doesn't hear the apostrophe anyway. But in exams and formal writing it (or "that of") is required.

b

[deelaa]

Thank you so much. Now i understand clearly.