Is “that that” Grammatically Correct? Rules and Examples

The English language, with its vast vocabulary and intricate grammatical structures, often presents nuances that can leave even seasoned speakers and writers pondering their correctness. One such point of occasional confusion revolves around the repeated use of the word “that.” It’s a common occurrence in spoken English, and its written form can sometimes strike the ear or eye as unusual, leading to questions about its grammatical legitimacy.

Understanding whether “that that” is grammatically permissible requires a closer look at the function each instance of “that” serves within a sentence. This phrase, while seemingly redundant, can be perfectly correct when each “that” plays a distinct and necessary role in conveying meaning. The key lies in dissecting the sentence structure and identifying the grammatical job each “that” is performing.

Understanding the Function of “That”

The word “that” is a remarkably versatile part of speech in English, capable of functioning as a demonstrative pronoun, a demonstrative adjective, a relative pronoun, or a subordinating conjunction. Its specific role dictates its grammatical necessity and acceptability within a sentence, even when it appears consecutively.

As a demonstrative pronoun, “that” refers to a specific thing or idea already mentioned or understood from context. It stands in for a noun. For example, in the sentence “That is a beautiful painting,” “that” acts as the subject and refers to the painting.

When used as a demonstrative adjective, “that” modifies a noun, specifying which one is being referred to. It answers the question “which one?” For instance, in “I like that car,” “that” points to a particular car among others.

The most common source of the “that that” construction arises when “that” functions as a relative pronoun introducing a subordinate clause, or as a subordinating conjunction introducing a noun clause.

“That” as a Relative Pronoun

When “that” acts as a relative pronoun, it introduces a relative clause that describes or identifies a noun or pronoun. This clause provides additional information about the antecedent. For example, “The book that I am reading is interesting.” Here, “that” refers to “book” and introduces the clause “that I am reading,” which tells us which book is interesting.

In such cases, “that” is essential for connecting the relative clause to the main clause and ensuring clarity. Removing it would often make the sentence awkward or grammatically incorrect, especially if the relative pronoun is the object of the clause. For instance, “The book I am reading is interesting” is also correct because “that” can often be omitted when it’s the object of the relative clause, but it remains grammatically sound when included.

The crucial point is that this “that” serves as a connector and a pronoun substitute within its clause. It is not merely an intensifier or a filler word but a functional grammatical element.

The Conjunction “That”

As a subordinating conjunction, “that” introduces a dependent clause that functions as a noun, often acting as the object of a verb or a subject complement. These clauses typically follow verbs of thinking, saying, knowing, believing, or perceiving. For example, “She said that she was tired.” In this sentence, “that” introduces the noun clause “that she was tired,” which is the direct object of the verb “said.”

This conjunction is vital for signaling the beginning of the subordinate clause and establishing the relationship between the clauses. It clarifies that what follows is the content of what was said, thought, or known.

While sometimes omitted in informal speech or writing (e.g., “She said she was tired”), its inclusion is grammatically correct and often enhances clarity, especially in more formal contexts.

When “That That” Becomes Grammatical

The seemingly awkward construction “that that” arises when these two distinct functions of “that” occur consecutively within a sentence. The first “that” might be a demonstrative adjective or pronoun, while the second “that” functions as a relative pronoun or a conjunction.

Consider the sentence: “I want that that is on the top shelf.” Here, the first “that” is a demonstrative adjective, pointing to a specific item (“I want *that* item”). The second “that” is a relative pronoun introducing the clause “that is on the top shelf,” which specifies which item is desired.

Another example: “He believes that that is the best approach.” The first “that” is a subordinating conjunction introducing the noun clause “that is the best approach.” The second “that” is a demonstrative pronoun, acting as the subject of that noun clause, referring to a specific approach previously mentioned or understood.

In both these instances, removing either “that” would alter the meaning or render the sentence grammatically incomplete. The phrase is not a mere repetition but a necessary sequence of functional words.

Example 1: Demonstrative Adjective + Relative Pronoun

Let’s break down a common scenario where “that that” is correct. Imagine someone pointing to a particular object and saying, “I prefer that that is made of wood.” The first “that” is a demonstrative adjective, indicating a specific item (the one being pointed to or previously identified). It modifies an implied or stated noun, essentially meaning “that particular thing.”

The second “that” functions as a relative pronoun. It introduces the relative clause “that is made of wood,” which provides further defining information about the item being discussed. This clause clarifies which of potentially many items is being preferred.

Without the first “that,” the sentence would be incomplete: “I prefer is made of wood.” Without the second “that,” the sentence would be unclear: “I prefer that is made of wood.” The combination is essential for the intended meaning.

Example 2: Subordinating Conjunction + Demonstrative Pronoun

Another frequent structure involves a subordinating conjunction followed by a demonstrative pronoun. Consider the statement: “The committee decided that that was the most efficient solution.” Here, the first “that” is a subordinating conjunction. It introduces the noun clause “that was the most efficient solution,” which represents the content of the committee’s decision.

The second “that” within this clause is a demonstrative pronoun. It serves as the subject of the subordinate clause and refers to a specific solution that has been previously identified or is understood from the context of the discussion.

In this construction, the first “that” signals the beginning of the reported decision, and the second “that” identifies the subject of that decision. Both are grammatically indispensable for conveying the precise meaning.

Example 3: Demonstrative Pronoun + Relative Pronoun

It’s also possible for “that” to function as a demonstrative pronoun followed by a relative pronoun. For instance, “That that happened was unfortunate.” In this sentence, the initial “that” is a demonstrative pronoun, acting as the subject of the main clause. It refers to a specific event or situation that is understood.

The second “that” is a relative pronoun, introducing the relative clause “that happened.” This clause modifies the demonstrative pronoun “that,” specifying which event or situation is being referred to. It tells us that the subject is not just any “that,” but the “that” which “happened.”

This structure emphasizes a particular event and then provides a detail about it. The sequence of a demonstrative pronoun followed by a relative pronoun is a valid grammatical construction.

Common Pitfalls and Misunderstandings

The confusion often arises because English speakers tend to avoid what sounds like unnecessary repetition. In many contexts, repeating words can indeed lead to awkwardness or redundancy. However, grammatical correctness is not solely determined by euphony; it is dictated by function.

A common mistake is to assume that any consecutive repetition of a word is incorrect. This overlooks the fact that different instances of the same word can serve entirely different grammatical purposes within a sentence. The ear might flag it as odd, but the grammar book would likely approve if each “that” is fulfilling its role.

Another pitfall is oversimplifying the functions of “that.” Believing it can only be used in one way leads to misjudging its consecutive appearances. Recognizing its multifaceted nature is key to understanding its grammatical validity.

The Role of Context

Context is paramount when evaluating the grammaticality of “that that.” The surrounding words and the overall meaning the sentence aims to convey are critical clues. Without proper context, a sentence containing “that that” might indeed appear nonsensical or incorrect.

However, when the context clearly delineates the function of each “that”—one acting as a determiner, conjunction, or pronoun referring to something specific, and the other introducing a clause—the construction becomes perfectly legitimate. The sentence structure itself provides the justification.

This reliance on context highlights the dynamic nature of language, where meaning is not solely derived from individual words but from their interplay within a given situation.

Avoiding Unnecessary “That”s

While “that that” can be correct, there are instances where “that” is used superfluously, and its omission would improve the sentence. This is particularly true for the subordinating conjunction “that,” which can often be dropped without loss of meaning, especially in less formal writing.

For example, in “I think that he is right,” the “that” can be omitted: “I think he is right.” Similarly, “She knew that the train had left” can become “She knew the train had left.” These omissions are stylistic choices that can make sentences more concise.

The key difference lies in whether the “that” is essential for grammatical structure or clarity. If removing a “that” leaves the sentence intact and unambiguous, it’s likely a candidate for omission. However, if removing it breaks the sentence or alters its meaning, it should remain.

Distinguishing “That” from “Who” and “Which”

Relative clauses can also be introduced by “who” (for people) or “which” (for things). Understanding when to use “that” versus these alternatives is also important for constructing clear sentences, and this can sometimes lead to confusion when “that” is involved.

Generally, “that” can be used for both people and things, especially in restrictive relative clauses (clauses essential to the meaning of the sentence). For example, “The person that called was polite” and “The book that I read was good” are both correct.

However, “who” is preferred for people in formal writing, and “which” is typically used for non-restrictive clauses (clauses that add extra, non-essential information and are set off by commas). The choice between these relative pronouns can sometimes influence sentence structure and the potential for consecutive “that”s.

For instance, if a sentence requires a demonstrative adjective “that” and then needs a relative clause about a person, using “who” might be preferred over a second “that”: “I want *that* gift *who* is wrapped in blue.” Here, “that gift” is the demonstrative, and “who is wrapped in blue” is the relative clause. However, “that gift that is wrapped in blue” is also grammatically acceptable, though potentially less elegant.

Grammatical Correctness vs. Stylistic Preference

It is crucial to differentiate between grammatical correctness and stylistic preference. While “that that” is grammatically sound when each “that” serves a distinct purpose, some writers or editors might find it stylistically awkward and prefer to rephrase the sentence for better flow or elegance.

Rephrasing might involve using synonyms, restructuring the sentence, or employing different grammatical constructions. For example, “He said that that was the problem” could be rephrased as “He identified that as the problem” or “He stated that the issue was that.”

However, the existence of stylistic alternatives does not render the original grammatically incorrect. The core principle remains: if each word fulfills its designated grammatical function, the sentence is correct.

Strategies for Rephrasing Awkward Constructions

When a sentence with consecutive “that”s feels cumbersome, rephrasing is a valuable skill. One common strategy is to replace the second “that” (often functioning as a relative pronoun or conjunction) with an alternative or to restructure the clause.

For example, “The report that that committee produced was thorough” could be rephrased. The first “that” is a relative pronoun modifying “report.” The second “that” is a demonstrative adjective modifying “committee.” To avoid the “that that,” one might say, “The report produced by that committee was thorough.” Here, “produced by that committee” acts as a reduced relative clause, and “that” is clearly a demonstrative adjective.

Another approach involves changing the sentence’s focus. Instead of “She felt that that was unfair,” one could write, “She considered that situation unfair” or “She believed the situation was unfair.” These adjustments maintain meaning while improving flow.

The Importance of Clarity

Ultimately, the goal of language is clear communication. While “that that” is grammatically permissible, its use should always be evaluated for clarity. If a sentence containing it is ambiguous or difficult to parse, then rephrasing is not just a stylistic choice but a necessity for effective communication.

Native speakers often intuitively avoid constructions that sound awkward, even if they are technically correct. This natural tendency favors clarity and ease of understanding. Therefore, while acknowledging the grammatical validity of “that that,” it’s wise to consider whether a simpler phrasing might serve the communicative purpose better.

The decision to use or rephrase such constructions should be guided by the specific context and the desired impact on the reader or listener. Clarity should always be the primary consideration.

Advanced Grammatical Considerations

Delving deeper, we can examine more complex sentence structures where “that that” might appear. These often involve nested clauses or specific idiomatic expressions, though the fundamental rules of “that” as a conjunction, relative pronoun, or demonstrative still apply.

Consider a sentence like: “It is often said that that which is difficult to achieve is more valuable.” Here, the first “that” is a conjunction introducing the main noun clause. The second “that” is a demonstrative pronoun, acting as the subject of the subordinate clause “that which is difficult to achieve.” The phrase “that which” itself is a somewhat archaic but grammatically valid construction.

Understanding these intricate constructions reinforces the idea that “that” is a foundational element in building complex English sentences, and its repetition is a natural consequence of its diverse roles.

“That That” in Specific Idiomatic or Formal Contexts

While less common in everyday speech, certain formal or slightly archaic constructions might feature “that that.” These are often found in older texts or highly specialized academic writing where precision is paramount, even at the cost of sounding slightly less fluid to a modern ear.

For example, a legal document might state: “The court finds that that interpretation of the statute is not supported by precedent.” Here, the first “that” is a conjunction, and the second “that” is a demonstrative pronoun referring to a specific interpretation already under discussion. The formality of the context makes the precise grammatical structure more important than stylistic ease.

These instances underscore that grammatical rules provide a framework, and adherence to them is essential for unambiguous communication, especially in contexts where precision is critical.

Conclusion: A Grammatically Sound Construction

In summary, the phrase “that that” is not inherently ungrammatical. It is a perfectly valid construction when the first “that” and the second “that” fulfill distinct grammatical roles within the sentence, such as a demonstrative adjective followed by a relative pronoun, or a conjunction followed by a demonstrative pronoun.

The perceived awkwardness often stems from an intuitive aversion to repetition rather than a violation of grammatical rules. By carefully analyzing the function of each word, one can confirm its correctness.

While grammatically sound, the use of “that that” should always be considered in terms of clarity and stylistic preference. If its inclusion makes a sentence convoluted or difficult to understand, rephrasing is advisable. However, its grammatical legitimacy remains a testament to the flexibility and complexity of the English language.