I feel like I over-use it and frankly I get totally confused (which I shouldn't) about when it's needed and when it's not. Help!
That
- Thread starter Dragon-lady
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The easiest way I know of to deal with this, and other problems like it, is to take the questioned word out, and see if the sentence still works. If it does, leave it out.
Meantime, as a digressive exercise, punctuate this:
That that is is that that is not is not is that it it is
caw
Meantime, as a digressive exercise, punctuate this:
That that is is that that is not is not is that it it is
caw
??? I'm not going to try to punctuate that. Yikes.
As I understand it... That is used when necessary information is given. (Restrictive)
Example: The ball that bounced is Johnny's. (Not the ball sitting still, the one that bounced.) -- Edit to say that you would probably not write something like this. The bouncing ball is Johnny's would be better. But you get the idea I hope.
Which is used in a 'by the way' sort of way. (Unrestrictive)
Example: The red ball, which Johnny brought, is big. (The red ball is big... oh, and by the way, Johnny brought it. You'd still know what ball is being talked about without 'which Johnny brought' - it just gives more info.)
As I understand it... That is used when necessary information is given. (Restrictive)
Example: The ball that bounced is Johnny's. (Not the ball sitting still, the one that bounced.) -- Edit to say that you would probably not write something like this. The bouncing ball is Johnny's would be better. But you get the idea I hope.
Which is used in a 'by the way' sort of way. (Unrestrictive)
Example: The red ball, which Johnny brought, is big. (The red ball is big... oh, and by the way, Johnny brought it. You'd still know what ball is being talked about without 'which Johnny brought' - it just gives more info.)
That, that is, is that; that is not. is not. is that it? it is.
That is as close as I can come to getting it to make sense.
Teach me to ask questions. Yikes!
That is as close as I can come to getting it to make sense.
Teach me to ask questions. Yikes!
I dislike the massive overuse of "that" intensely. Whenever I edit, it's one of my key points to check. I strike as many uses of "that" as possible - I don't like empty words. And it's used VERY frequently as an empty word.
Dragon-lady: I believe this is the correct punctuation. Read it and you'll see.
That that is, is; that that is not, is not. Is that it? It is.
That that is, is; that that is not, is not. Is that it? It is.
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"That," is a passive word and usually can be removed without replacing it. I found I use "that," too much in my writing. I found this Passive Word Highlighter to be helpful.
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11330
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11330
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