That

[jack]

Are these correct? What is the subject and verb?

1. They always drive over the dotted lines and that piss me off.
2. They always drive over the dotted lines and that pisses me off.
What is 'that' refering to?[/b]

[Casiopea]

1. They always drive over the dotted lines and that piss me off.
2. They always drive over the dotted lines and that pisses me off.

Sentence 1. is ungrammatical. The verb 'piss' needs to agree in number with its subject: 'that pisses'. Sentence 2. is grammatical.

Structure
that (subject; relative pronoun, singular)
pisses (verb, singular)

'that' refers back to one clause: 'They always drive over the dotted-line'. You could replace the relative pronoun with another singular pronoun "it", like this,

It pisses me off.

You could also replace the relative pronoun with "The fact that", like this,

The fact that they always drive over the dotted-line pisses me off.
=> The underlined portion functions as the subject. It's one clause, so it agrees in singular number with the verb:

They always drive over the dotted-line = It/That

You could also omit 'The fact', like this,

That they always drive over the dotted-line pisses me off.

Note, 'dotted-line' does not require an -s to express all the dots in the line. It means the line is dotted (i.e., one line that's dotted, a dotted-line).

All the best, :D

[Francois]

Don't say that something pisses you off to your boss, too.

FRC

[jack]

What does these mean? What happens if I add 'that' to it?

1. Just because a computer comes with an integrated video card (that) doesn't mean you can't upgrade. (How come this is correct? It doesn't sound right without 'that'?

2. Just because a computer comes with an integrated video card that doesn't mean you can't upgrade.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by jack

What does these mean? What happens if I add 'that' to it?

1. Just because a computer comes with an integrated video card (that) doesn't mean you can't upgrade. (How come this is correct? It doesn't sound right without 'that'?

2. Just because a computer comes with an integrated video card that doesn't mean you can't upgrade.

As written, sentence 1. is not OK; however, if the speaker is changing her/his mind mid-sentence, then a pause (....) should be added, like this,

1b. Just because a computer comes with an integrated video card.... That doesn't mean you can't upgrade.

The pronoun 'That' refers back to the the string 'Just because a computer comes with an integrated video card'. Both function as the subject of 'doesn't mean':

That doesn't mean.... (OK)
Just because....doesn't mean. (OK)

so only one or the other is possible as subject, not both.

All the best, :D

[jack]

Are these correct? If not, why?

1. Both function as the subject of 'doesn't mean'.
2. Both functions as the subject of 'doesn't mean'. (How come 'function' is not plural?)

3. Both cars are okay.
4. Both car is okay.

[Casiopea]

1. Both function as the subject of 'doesn't mean'. :D
2. Both functions as the subject of 'doesn't mean'. :(
3. Both cars are okay. :D
4. Both car is okay. :(

In 2. and 4., 'functions' and 'cars' are singular. They should be plural. 'Both' means, two, so the very is plural: 'are/were'. :wink:

[jack]

n 2. and 4., 'functions' and 'cars' are singular. They should be plural. 'Both' means, two, so the very is plural: 'are/were'.

Why is this incorrect? I don't get it.
1. Both functions as the subject of 'doesn't mean'.

so the very is plural:

What does this mean? I don't get the 'very' part?

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by jack

Why is this incorrect? I don't get it.
2. Both functions as the subject.

Well, the subject has been omitted, so let's fill it in:

2a. Both words functions as the subject. (Not OK)

The subject 'words' is a plural noun so its verb needs to be plural, too, like this,

2b. Both words function as the subject. (OK)

[jack]

Oh, interesting.

How would people know if it is omitted or not? I see this on the tv somtimes too and I don't understand why sometimes it is plural or whatsoever.