Cross Your T’s: You’re not all “that”
Though I’m not a professionally trained grammarian (note: you’ll find typos in my posts because although I may freelance edit and copywrite, I rarely proofread my own stuff), I am totally into the whole grammar thing. That doesn’t mean I’m perfect. I only recently learned the difference between “since” and “because” (post on that soon!) and often confer with Jenny and Carina when I have grammar-related questions.
Even though fabulous resources like Grammar Girl exist, I thought I’d start this Cross Your T’s feature for those little grammar mistakes/misconceptions/misuses I see all too frequently, even in my own writing. (A quick note: my favorite reference is The Gregg Reference Manual. It’s a small investment but totally worth it if you prefer something tangible. Mine has numerous sticky-note markers up and down its pages!)
If you have any questions, would like to submit a grammar tip or *gasp* find a typo in this post, shoot me an email at emily {at} isthisreallymylife {dot} com. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll research it until I do!
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Cross Your T’s: You’re not all “that”
After editing Nathan’s EMBA papers, I’ve learned he is a big fan of the word that…as are many of you. I admit I used that far more often than needed and didn’t notice it until someone pointed it out to me. Most of the time you’ll find that isn’t necessary. For example:
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I had no idea that you wanted to go on a Chick-fil-A play date!
vs.
I had no idea you wanted to go on a Chick-fil-A play date!
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In the first sentence, you can omit that and it still flows well. (It actually flows better in my opinion.)
After doing a little reading, it seems no hard rule exists on the use of that UNLESS your sentence would confuse the reader. For example:
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I sometimes think swear words are funny. Don’t judge.
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When you first read the above sentence it sounds like I sometimes think swear words (actually, I often think swear words), but of course that’s not what I meant.
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I sometimes think that swear words are funny. Don’t judge.
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Of course if I were editing my own stuff for once, I’d probably still leave out that because I like the flow of the sentence better that way. Basically it all comes down to how it sounds, and if you’re questioning it, read the sentence aloud. Doing so often helps correct a lot of grammar mistakes!
My least favorite? Using a double that.
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I so totally know that that isn’t the way you’d want to write a sentence.
vs.
I so totally know that isn’t the way you’d want to write a sentence.
or even better…
I so totally know you wouldn’t want to write a sentence that way.
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I wanted to try to keep theses grammar posts short and sweet. For more in-depth guidelines, search sites like Grammar Girl or Dictionary.com or just Google it!
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You can read more about the inspiration for this site 
How about a post on to, too and two?
And how about a post on putting punctuation inside quotation marks?
And how about a shout out to A LOT, not alot!
Those are just my pet peeves. But I know I make a lot of other mistakes. I didn’t even know there was a rule about ‘since’ and ‘because.’
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Emily Reply:
July 14th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
I should totally do the “to, too and two” thing. I’ll add it to my list!
Punctuation with quotes is a biggie–I recently found out I was doing it incorrectly (i.e., not everything lands inside ending quotation marks).
Are you telling me “alot” is really two words?!?!? (Kidding. Do people really still spell it as one?)
And yes, “since” and “because” are not as interchangeable as most people think. Just wait until I share that one! ;)
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Liiiiiike.
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Emily Reply:
July 14th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Thank you, my grammar-loving friend!
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This cracks me up. I am a wanna-be grammar snob. I adored English in school. But I worry the second I make that claim…someone will pull up some dumb mistake I’ve made. So I’ll keep it on the down low. :) I had to comment on the “double that”. There was a “double that” in the Gettysburg Address, I just noticed this 4th of July. And it totally was buggin’ me! So funny. I overlooked it. Seeing as how it’s an amazing piece of our history and all…but still. Buggy.
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Emily Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
That might be the only time I’d overlook a double “that.” ;) I’m telling you, I adore proper grammar but I make plenty of mistakes myself. That’s why I never claim to be an expert. But I figure if I’m learning, I might as well share!
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Now I want to go and read my last several posts to see how many unnecessary “that” references I made. I’m certainly guilty.
I’m not a grammar queen and I am going to love this new feature full of reminders.
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Emily Reply:
July 16th, 2011 at 7:24 am
I was guilty of using “that” ALL the time and probably still use it too much, but it’s a hard habit to break for sure!
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Thanks for the reminder! No more unnecessary “that’s” for me.
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Emily Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Perfect! ;)
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I consider myself a stickler for correct grammar, but I still goof sometimes. Also, I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks swear words, but at least you don’t voice them in church like I did (accidentally) when my four-year-old dumped the sacrament tray on the floor. Oops!
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