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Mon 19 Jun, 2017 10:24 pm
She gave the elderly sisters an exasperated smile that her only child could be so dense.
(from Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen)
She was embarrassed her kid could be so slow on the uptake and the smile was meant as an apology of sorts.
"that" refers back to the kind of smile and would be part of the adjective phrase.
@MontereyJack,
Thank you for your comment.
@PUNKEY,
Thank you for your useful comment.
@kodokan,
It's functioning as a conjunction (?) by connecting the two clauses to express the mother's indignation. "That" is being used to emphasize/clarify the tone of the preceding clause, I think.
@perennialloner,
Yes, it's functioning as a conjunction, but it's introducing a clause explaining the reason for or purpose of the action, the giving of the exasperated smile. (
that, 13.)
@kodokan,
the object is the smile, the subject is the daughter. I don't think this is a very well constructed sentence personally.
@perennialloner,
Thank you for your comment.
@glen74,
Thank you for your kindness.
@glen74,
Heh, I took it for Brit speak.
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