Answer: When do you use the word 'that'?
Tuesday, 19 February 2013 02:15![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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fandom_grammarA wise old professor once told me the word that was one of the most overused words in the English language. So when ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
aqua_crescent asked us to define when you use that (example: "This is the game I was telling you about" vs. "This is the game that I was telling you about.”), I set out, along with my friends from Harry Potter and Once Upon A Time, to see if my professor was right.
To start our journey, we need to narrow down what use of the word that we are talking about. That can be used as a pronoun (“That is Hermione over there!”), an adverb (“The spider was that big!” Ron shouted, holding his arms out as wide as he could) and a definer (“Look at that girl there,” Ginny said. “That’s Luna”). However, in those situations, that serves a more clear role and is always needed. The sentences would make no sense if you took the word out.
The confusion occurs when that is used as a conjunction.
The Oxford English Dictionary describes that as a conjuction when it introduces a subordinate clause expressing a statement or hypothesis, a reason or cause, a result or a purpose or hope.
In all of these examples, the word that clearly ties the two parts of the sentence together. But is the word really needed?
The short answer is no.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word that can be omitted.
Of course, the fact that something can be omitted doesn’t mean it always should be. So how do you know?
Unfortunately, there is no clear rule. However, most fiction writers (and other writers) take advice from William Zinsser in his book “On Writing Well,” which is deemed to be one of the best books on writing that is out there.
Zinsser declares: “Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon.”
What is he saying? Basically, if you don’t need it, don’t use it. Your writing will be simpler, clearer and stronger if you take out words you don’t need.
The advice I got from my professor? Try saying the sentence in your head without the word that. If it still makes sense and the meaning is clear, then remove it. If the sentence doesn’t make sense or the meaning gets a little lost, leave it in. Your writing will be better for it.
Some useful links
http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/that?q=that
http://www.sjsu.edu/people/samuel.liccardo/courses/localpolitics103/s2/William%20Zinsser%20--%20On%20Writing%20Well.pdf
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/80680/use-of-the-word-that-in-formal-tone-technical-writing
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080525113759AAPCZ3Y
http://storylineblog.com/2012/03/22/writing-tip-treat-the-word-that-like-a-cuss-word/
aqua_crescent asked us to define when you use that (example: "This is the game I was telling you about" vs. "This is the game that I was telling you about.”), I set out, along with my friends from Harry Potter and Once Upon A Time, to see if my professor was right.To start our journey, we need to narrow down what use of the word that we are talking about. That can be used as a pronoun (“That is Hermione over there!”), an adverb (“The spider was that big!” Ron shouted, holding his arms out as wide as he could) and a definer (“Look at that girl there,” Ginny said. “That’s Luna”). However, in those situations, that serves a more clear role and is always needed. The sentences would make no sense if you took the word out.
The confusion occurs when that is used as a conjunction.
The Oxford English Dictionary describes that as a conjuction when it introduces a subordinate clause expressing a statement or hypothesis, a reason or cause, a result or a purpose or hope.
Snow said that she was happy to be back in Storybrooke.
Red seemed pleased that the town residents weren’t bothered by her being a wolf.
Regina was so upset over losing Henry that she couldn’t keep her magic under control.
In all of these examples, the word that clearly ties the two parts of the sentence together. But is the word really needed?
The short answer is no.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word that can be omitted.
At the end of his first year, Harry said (that) he was happy with the friends he made.
Harry picked up the Potions book (that) Snape had assigned.
Of course, the fact that something can be omitted doesn’t mean it always should be. So how do you know?
Unfortunately, there is no clear rule. However, most fiction writers (and other writers) take advice from William Zinsser in his book “On Writing Well,” which is deemed to be one of the best books on writing that is out there.
Zinsser declares: “Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon.”
What is he saying? Basically, if you don’t need it, don’t use it. Your writing will be simpler, clearer and stronger if you take out words you don’t need.
The advice I got from my professor? Try saying the sentence in your head without the word that. If it still makes sense and the meaning is clear, then remove it. If the sentence doesn’t make sense or the meaning gets a little lost, leave it in. Your writing will be better for it.
Some useful links
http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/that?q=that
http://www.sjsu.edu/people/samuel.liccardo/courses/localpolitics103/s2/William%20Zinsser%20--%20On%20Writing%20Well.pdf
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/80680/use-of-the-word-that-in-formal-tone-technical-writing
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080525113759AAPCZ3Y
http://storylineblog.com/2012/03/22/writing-tip-treat-the-word-that-like-a-cuss-word/
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no subject
19/2/13 14:53 (UTC)Thank you!
I often find I use 'that' and then have to edit it out because it's made a sentence clunky, but I'm never sure quite why I do it in the first place; your explanation has helped a lot. Now if I can just break myself of the habit... *g*
no subject
19/2/13 16:13 (UTC)At the end of his first year, Harry said (that) he was happy with the friends he made.
Harry picked up the Potions book (that) Snape had assigned.
With the 'that's, the sentences feel more cluttered and clunky. Apparently I agree with Zinsser even though I never heard of him before! :P
no subject
19/2/13 21:23 (UTC)no subject
20/2/13 00:00 (UTC)"Clean only the books that are dusty." = NON-STANDARD USAGE
"Clean only the books which are dusty." = STANDARD USAGE