Without that/without which

[diamondcutter]

I learned a lot of professional knowledge, as well as the spirit and attitude that a scientist should have from Mr Qian, especially his deep love for his mother. Without that, he couldn't help to develop science and technology which new China badly needed for development.

One of my students wrote these sentences and he asked me whether he could rewrite “Without that” as “without which” like this. I'm not so sure. What do you say?

I learned a lot of professional knowledge, as well as the spirit and attitude that a scientist should have from Mr Qian, especially his deep love for his mother, without which, he couldn't help to develop science and technology which new China badly needed for development.

 

[tedmc]

1. I think "learn" does not collocate with "knowledge". We usually say "acquire/gain/pick up knowledge".

2. "Spirit" and "attitude" also cannot be learned. They can be developed/cultivated/inculcated/instilled.

3. "Without that" and "without which" are correctly used.

4. ...couldn't wouldn't have been able to help (to) develop science and technology which New China badly needed for development.

 

[Tarheel]

Try:

If it wasn't for that (his relationship with his mother) he couldn't have developed the science and technology China badly needed for development.

 

[diamondcutter]

What do you think of my improvement as follows?

I not only got a lot of professional knowledge, but also developed the spirit and attitude that a scientist should have from Mr Qian, especially his deep love for his mother, without which, he couldn't have developed science and technology which New China badly needed for development.
​

 

[emsr2d2]

You need to remove the comma after "without which".

 

[Tarheel]

I can't figure out why you use "New China" in your sentence.

 

[tedmc]

I can't figure out why you use "New China" in your sentence.

The China which was undergoing transformation.

 

[diamondcutter]

New China refers to the country whose government was founded in 1949.

 

[emsr2d2]

New China refers to the country whose government was founded in 1949.

If that's the official term for the period that started in 1949, both words should have been capitalised in the original.

 

[Tarheel]

Try:

If it wasn't for that (his relationship with his mother) he couldn't have developed the science and technology China badly needed for development.

That doesn't make sense, Ron. What does his relationship with his mother have to do with his work?

 

[Tarheel]

New China refers to the country whose government was founded in 1949.

When the Communists took over, right?

 

[diamondcutter]

Hi, Tarheel.
Let me answer you two questions.

1. Just now I knew that's the student's typo. It should be "the motherland".

2. Yes.

 

[Tarheel]

Hi, Tarheel.
Let me answer your two questions.

1. I just noticed a typo by the student. It should be "the motherland".

2. Yes.

I'm pretty sure what the second one's an answer to, but I'm not sure about the first one.