Ambiguous "that"s
Hi. I'd like to have an opinion about this issue from a native speaker. In order to explain the problem, we need to start with an example:
But George had also decided that time would be the last one.
See how "that" can be ambiguous in this context? Every time I encounter a sentence like this, I need to read it twice and it breaks my rhythm. The alternative:
But George had also decided that that time would be the last one.
seems even worse to me. What do you think? Thanks.
Top answer
The second is usually better since it is unambiguous. The context will often make it fairly clear what is meant, but this shouldn't be relied upon. For instance: But George had also decided that time would be remembered by all concerned.
- The second is usually better since it is unambiguous.
- The context will often make it fairly clear what is meant, but this shouldn't be relied upon.
- For instance: But George had also decided that time would be remembered by all concerned.
- What is being remembered?
- That time, or the concept of time itself?
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The second is usually better since it is unambiguous. The context will often make it fairly clear what is meant, but this shouldn't be relied upon.
For instance:
But George had also decided that time would be remembered by all concerned.
What is being remembered? That time, or the concept of time itself? Compare:
But George had also decided that that tim
0The first is unreadable. "That that" looks funny, but it is not so unusual.
0
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