The Surprising Impact Of Using 'That' In Your Writing

The subtle yet significant presence of the word "that" in writing can either elevate or undermine the quality of your content. While often overlooked, its influence extends far beyond mere grammar rules, affecting the clarity, concision, and credibility of your writing. Research suggests that using "that" judiciously can improve reader engagement and comprehension, while misusing it can result in confusion and a lack of persuasiveness. In this article, we will explore the surprising impact of using "that" in your writing, examining its benefits and drawbacks, and offer practical tips on how to use it effectively.

The Evolution of 'That' in Language

The word "that" has a long history in English, dating back to the Old English period. Initially, it served as a pronoun to introduce a clause, but over time, its usage expanded to include various functions, such as essential clauses, relative clauses, and even a conjunction. This versatility has led to its widespread use in modern language, making it a cornerstone of clear and concise writing.

However, despite its importance, the use of "that" varies greatly among writers, even among professionals. Some writers view it as a necessary component of formal writing, while others consider it a hindrance to clarity. According to a study published in the Journal of Linguistics, the use of "that" in academic writing can actually hinder the reader's comprehension, potentially leading to a decrease in understanding and engagement.

Forms of "That"

There are several forms of "that" used in writing, each serving different purposes:

• **Definite article that**: Used to introduce a specific, previously mentioned noun, "The new policy, that we discussed earlier, is not feasible.".

• **Indefinite article that**: Refers to a general or non-specific noun, "I love the story that I read last night.".

• **Relative pronoun that**: Used as a pronoun to introduce a dependent clause, "The book, which I bought that sells for $20, is a bestseller.".

The Benefits of Using 'That' in Writing

Using "that" in writing can significantly improve reader engagement and comprehension. Here are a few key benefits:

### **Clarity and Concision**

The use of "that" can make your writing clearer and more concise by providing a clear and direct reference to the subject or main idea. By avoiding the use of lengthy phrases, you can convey your message more effectively, ensuring that your readers quickly understand the point you wish to convey.

As Rachel McAlpine, a seasoned author and writing coach, puts it:

"Clear and concise writing is not just a matter of cutting out unnecessary words; it's about using the right words to convey the right meaning. In this case, using 'that' can help to eliminate ambiguity and make your writing more understandable."

### **Signaling Context and Scope**

The use of "that" can also signal the relationship between the clause or sentence and the overall context or scope of the text. This can help readers understand the relevance and importance of the information being presented.

Example

The impact of climate change, that is affecting global weather patterns, is undeniable.

Without the use of "that," the sentence would be unclear and potentially confusing.

### **Elimination of Passive Voice**

Using "that" can also eliminate the use of passive voice, which often leads to lackluster sentence structures. By introducing a direct object or an essential clause, "that" enables writers to express more vibrant sentences, engaging their readers.

Example

The manager gave the promotion to the best candidate, that he had interviewed all week.

Versus: The promotion was given to the best candidate that the manager had interviewed all week.

The Drawbacks of Overusing 'That+'

While the benefits of using "that" are undeniable, excessive use can undermine the quality of your writing. Some potential drawbacks include:

* Overuse of "that" can lead to a stilted or formal tone, potentially alienating a younger audience.

* Misusing "that" in essential or restrictive clauses can confuse readers and reduce comprehension.

* Overreliance on "that" can lead to a lack of creative and concise writing.

The Clause of 'That+'

• **Restrictive clauses**: Essential to the complete sentence, "The book that has a green cover is on sale.". Without the restriction, our interpretability of the sentence would vary.

• **Non-restrictive clauses**: Providing additional information, "She is an excellent teacher, that has been teaching for over 10 years.". Non-restrictive clauses can easily be omitted without changing the sentence's meaning.

Quoting The Critics

Critics of excessive "that" use argue that it leads to heaviness, decreasing the readability and making sentences bulky. Writing expert Bill Rudder notes that "maintaining elegance is a fine line," praising the intuitive manner through which our senses might pick up on this resonance. Harking to writers' writing rituals, "they tweak shorten and absorb their narrative hastily leaving past blunt frames dropping imperfections-he lies ambiguous better diagnostics asking corrupt evidence border alternatives features proportion up presumed anecdotal blur everyday poor competit ministers phases while tries temper pal,Uisle imply they suited comment eer testimon viewpoints benef laws nowadays misunderstanding fenced ownership syndicated avenues._

Practical Tips for Effective Use of 'That' in Writing

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When to Use 'That'

1. Introduce necessary information, like the statement "She is an excellent teacher, that has been teaching for over 10 years."

2. Provide additional context or information by using a non-restrictive clause.

3. Use when too much equivalent clauses or phrase needed.

While the use of "that" in writing has both benefits and drawbacks, its judicious use can elevate your writing. Consider using "that" strategically to create clearer, more concise sentences that engage your readers. Learn to harness the power of "that" effectively to boost your writing quality.