that that is is that that is

[robertreams]

I posted this thread in the wrong place by mistake. Have editors (and readers) noticed the ovrwhelming use ofthe word 'that' in writing these days. It seems that everytime someone wishes to say that he is diappointed that the subject that he is discussing is not that important that everyone needs to comment like that, that that person is addicted to using the word' that' lke that.

Seriously, though, last week, I was reading a published novel by an respected author. In the first two parargraphs of that novel, the author used' that' fourteen times. yesterday I was editing a story with four that's in one short sentence.

Anyone else notice this phenomenon? I go by this principle: if it is easy to understand without the 'that' leave it out!

Opinions please

 

[LadyVer]

What I've noticed is the tendency not to use "that" enough. It seems as if people are afraid to use it at all, which makes the writing less clear. Sometimes, the word is needed.

 

[sr71plt]

I've seen it go both ways. Some have the habit of habitually taking it one way or the other.

I probably throw in too many myself. It's a word I have to look for in review. "That" and "now." I throw in "now" much too much in my drafts.

 

[DeYaKen]

I posted this thread in the wrong place by mistake. Have editors (and readers) noticed the ovrwhelming use ofthe word 'that' in writing these days. It seems that everytime someone wishes to say that he is diappointed that the subject that he is discussing is not that important that everyone needs to comment like that, that that person is addicted to using the word' that' lke that.

Seriously, though, last week, I was reading a published novel by an respected author. In the first two parargraphs of that novel, the author used' that' fourteen times. yesterday I was editing a story with four that's in one short sentence.

Anyone else notice this phenomenon? I go by this principle: if it is easy to understand without the 'that' leave it out!

Opinions please

Strangely enough I have had the problem of having "that"s added to my stories by editors.

ie. "He said he was OK to drive." was changed to "He said that he was OK to drive".

Since they were US editors, I assumed it was just the way the language was used there.

When I worked with Juicystarchild she trained me to treat "that" in the way you suggest. I've tried to stick to it. However, in dialogue I will use whatever reflects the way the character speaks.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

So why use it where there is no ambiguity?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Strangely enough I have had the problem of having "that"s added to my stories by editors.

ie. "He said he was OK to drive." was changed to "He said that he was OK to drive".

Since they were US editors, I assumed it was just the way the language was used there.

When I worked with Juicystarchild she trained me to treat "that" in the way you suggest. I've tried to stick to it. However, in dialogue I will use whatever reflects the way the character speaks.

Editors are generally the dummest fucks in Fuckville.

 

[robertreams]

Thts

Of course dialogue is different. I could see using a tendency to overuse 'that' in speech as part of the development of a character, but I don't think the reader would think him more intelligent for doing so.

Thanks for your ideas folks. I knew could count on JBJ to use the words 'dumb' and 'fuck'. Thanks for reinforcing my view.

 

[sr71plt]

ie. "He said he was OK to drive." was changed to "He said that he was OK to drive".

Since they were US editors, I assumed it was just the way the language was used

In this specific example it's a knee-jerk edit.

It's something that's specific to the context of the specific sentence--whether there may be confusion if the "that" isn't added or whether the rhythm of the sentence is better with a "that" or not. Here, not.