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Chipw Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Words that have no grammatical purpose in a sentence
In the following sentences it seems to me that the word "that" has no grammatical purpose. What are your opinions? And is there a term for this (unnecessary words) in the grammar world?
It's the thing that you use for opening bottles.
It's the thing you use for opening bottles.
or
It's the thing for opening bottles. (Non-restrictive phrase - "that you use" - is unnecessary)
Those are the tools that I need to do the job.
Those are the tools I need to do the job.
or
Those are the tools to do the job. (In a conversation "that I need" can easily be implied without stating. The non-restrictive phrase should be unnecessary.)
This also occasionally occurs with "which"(it being unnecessary), and a few other words.
And if I recall correctly there is a grammatical term to describe such words, but I cannot find the web site that discusses that term.
It's the thing that you use for opening bottles.
It's the thing you use for opening bottles.
or
It's the thing for opening bottles. (Non-restrictive phrase - "that you use" - is unnecessary)
Those are the tools that I need to do the job.
Those are the tools I need to do the job.
or
Those are the tools to do the job. (In a conversation "that I need" can easily be implied without stating. The non-restrictive phrase should be unnecessary.)
This also occasionally occurs with "which"(it being unnecessary), and a few other words.
And if I recall correctly there is a grammatical term to describe such words, but I cannot find the web site that discusses that term.
Top answer
One term in linguistics for omitting words, but retaining the semantic meaning, is ellipsis , or elliptical construction. Another term for your first example is the null relative pronoun .
- One term in linguistics for omitting words, but retaining the semantic meaning, is ellipsis , or elliptical construction.
- Another term for your first example is the null relative pronoun .
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6 Answers
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One term in linguistics for omitting words, but retaining the semantic meaning, is ellipsis, or elliptical construction.
Another term for your first example is the null relative pronoun.
Another term for your first example is the null relative pronoun.
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Alpha is right. I would just add that the term pleonastic refers to something that is unnecessary or without additional meaning.
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Thanks for the reply. It appears that what I am looking for is called a Syntactic Pleonasm. I appreciate the responses, they are quite educational.
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Welcome to English Forums, chipw. Thanks for joining us.
You sound like a master of English. Are you a native of Colombia?
(My wife is from Medellin.)
Best regards, - A.
Edit. Woops! I see you joined a month ago, but only posted once.
You sound like a master of English. Are you a native of Colombia?
(My wife is from Medellin.)
Best regards, - A.
Edit. Woops! I see you joined a month ago, but only posted once.
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Hi,
I am from the USA, from Arizona/Washington/Oregon states. I live in Barranquilla and work as an English teacher. Right now I have 21 students, all at one company. It is not a school, but a business selling tires, mostly to the mining industry, but also general use tires for cars/trucks/buses, any vehicles that need tires. I am teaching nearly every employee English. This company recognizes
I am from the USA, from Arizona/Washington/Oregon states. I live in Barranquilla and work as an English teacher. Right now I have 21 students, all at one company. It is not a school, but a business selling tires, mostly to the mining industry, but also general use tires for cars/trucks/buses, any vehicles that need tires. I am teaching nearly every employee English. This company recognizes
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Thanks for the reply, chipw. It sounds like you've found a perfect opportunity to hone your teaching skills.
I wish you good fortune and happy teaching!
I'd encourage you to reply to questions you find posted here. I'm sure you have a lot to contribute.
- A.
I wish you good fortune and happy teaching!
I'd encourage you to reply to questions you find posted here. I'm sure you have a lot to contribute.
- A.
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