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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
"That, that I am"
My friend and I have been discussing the use of the word "that" twice in a row. Obviously it can be used correctly in the middle of a sentence: "I didn't know that, that was the only thing I needed"
BUT, Here is my question. Can it be used correctly when stated as a response, such as:
Hagrid: YOU'RE A WIZARD HARRY!
Harry: That, that I am.
or
Hagrid: I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD DO THAT!
Harry: That, that I can.
I admit it is a stretch, but in terms of 'lexical ambiguity' can either of these be considered correct?
Any additional information would be much appreciated!! Thanks!!!
BUT, Here is my question. Can it be used correctly when stated as a response, such as:
Hagrid: YOU'RE A WIZARD HARRY!
Harry: That, that I am.
or
Hagrid: I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD DO THAT!
Harry: That, that I can.
I admit it is a stretch, but in terms of 'lexical ambiguity' can either of these be considered correct?
Any additional information would be much appreciated!! Thanks!!!
Top answer
" The other case (from Harry Potter) that you present are unrelated to your first sentence. Anonymous Harry: That, that I am. Harry: That, that I can The second 'that' in each case is just a repetition of the first 'that'; it represents speaking style.
- " The other case (from Harry Potter) that you present are unrelated to your first sentence.
- Anonymous Harry: That, that I am.
- Harry: That, that I can The second 'that' in each case is just a repetition of the first 'that'; it represents speaking style.
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3 Answers
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Your first sentence should not have a comma: "I didn't know that that was the only thing I needed." The other case (from Harry Potter) that you present are unrelated to your first sentence.
AnonymousHarry: That, that I am. Harry: That, that I canThe second 'that' in each case is just a repetition of the first 'that'; it represents speaking style.
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Mister MicawberYour first sentence should not have a comma: "I didn't know that that was the only thing I needed." The other case (from Harry Potter) that you present are unrelated to your first sentence.AnonymousHarry: That, that I am. Harry: That, that I canThe second 'that' in each case is just a repetition of the first 'that'; it represents speaking style.
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