[Grammar] "Overall, we can say that boys' participation in the leisure activities was greater t

[UM Chakma]

"Overall, we can say that boys' participation in the leisure activities was greater t

Hi there,
"Overall, we can say that boys' participation in the leisure activities was greater than that of girls." What does the underlined "that" modify here?
Can't I express this way (without that)? "Overall, we can say that boys' participation in leisure activities was greater than girls." Is there any change in meaning now?

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: "Overall, we can say that boys' participation in the leisure activities was great

It doesn't modify anything. It replaces the repetition of "participation".

We can say that the participation in leisure activities was greater than the participation of the girls.