We are having the same conversation right now among the faculty in the
English Department. Our administrative assistant, whom I had asked to proofread
a letter of recommendation, wanted to remove a “that” that I felt
was helpful (wish I had that sentence in front of me). So far, the colleagues
who have commented agree that in many cases, the word “that” makes
the sentence far more readable.
One of my
colleagues had this to say:
I almost want to include a that
when it is a subordinate conjunction but not always a that when it is a relative pronoun used as
an object.
Ex. 1 I believe that . . . . (subordinate conjunction).
Ex. 2 The book I want is on the table (relative pronoun)
I would echo that
thought.
I eagerly await
your replies.
Nancy L. Tuten, PhD
Professor of English
Director of the Writing-across-the-Curriculum Program
803-786-3706
From:
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008
9:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: The use of
"that"
As I am reading student essays today, I'm
wondering if the use of "that," which many of the
students tend to omit, is necessary in certain circumstances and what
function it serves. For instance:
1) I think that
we should go to the grocery store today rather than Sunday.
vs.
2) I think we should go to the grocery store today
rather than Sunday.
or, a 3rd person example, since the above are more
representative of speech than writing:
3) Jean thinks that
Genuardi's is a better supermarket than Giant.
vs.
4) Jean thinks Genuardi's is a better supermarket than
Giant.
My feeling is that "that" should be in the
sentence. Does it function as a complementizer in the above sentences? (I tend
to get confused with "that" clauses).
Thank you!
Carol Morrison
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