Overuse of the word 'that'

[Drox]

It seems people like to place the word 'that' in places it's not necessary.


Here's an example:

I think that the price increase is a good idea.
I think the price increase is a good idea.


Don't these two sentences say the exact same thing? And aren't they both grammatically correct? So why do some people feel the need to add a 'that'?

I see it all the time, from message boards to newspapers. I hear it a lot too.

Is there something I'm missing, or should we be trying to curb this practice?

[DrGoogfan]

It seems people like to place the word 'that' in places it's not necessary.


Here's an example:

I think that the price increase is a good idea.
I think the price increase is a good idea.


Don't these two sentences say the exact same thing? And aren't they both grammatically correct? So why do some people feel the need to add a 'that'?

I see it all the time, from message boards to newspapers. I hear it a lot too.

Is there something I'm missing, or should we be trying to curb this practice?


that there be my 300th post. that is cool.

[5024L]

I don't understand the meaning of that post. That was pretty stupid. You shouldn't have posted that.

[Lord hang man]

Well I guess that's that.

[5024L]

Is that really all of that? Or will there be more of that?

[Leonidas]

The latter might possibly be a sentence fragment?

Actually,
'I think the price increase is a good idea', when said would appear to have the emphasis on the 'think' whereas 'I think that the price increase is a good idea' shifts the attention towards the last part of the sentence.

Speculation, don't rape me please

[yawanur]

Speculation, don't rape me please

*threatens with rape*

*backs down after a while*

Oughta keep em in his place!
:mad:

[bornkiller]

Is that really all of that? Or will there be more of that?I think what he trying to say is, he'll have no more of that, that's it, that's enough, that's the end of it. :p

[Leonidas]

*threatens with rape*

*backs down after a while*

Oughta keep em in his place!
:mad:

*cowers*