This post continues my series about the most repeated words in writing. Today’s culprit is that.

If that is a word that plagues your WIP, I’m here to tell you that there are methods that you can use to cure that plague.

The That vs. Which Controversy

One way to trim a few occurrences is to replace that with which.

You may have encountered the following guideline: If a clause is restrictive (vital), use that; if it’s non-restrictive (optional), use which followed by a comma.

The parcels that are marked “Fragile” go into the third bin.

Not just any parcels go into the third bin, but the fragile parcels. Without the underlined portion, the sentence would refer to all parcels — a considerable change in meaning.

The parcels, which were received this morning, go into the third bin.

All the parcels go into the third bin. The underlined portion provides optional information about the parcels, but if it’s left out, it doesn’t change the fundamental meaning.

ViTal: That

OptIonal: [cOmma] whIch

Writers from Great Britain might dispute this. However, keep it in mind if you’re a UK writer with a global audience.

Another Controversy: That vs. Who

Although some sources disagree, it’s recommended that writers select who when referring to

• humans
• aliens
• other sentient beings (such as AIs in science fiction, Ents in The Lord of the Rings, or talking animals in fantasy fiction)
• pets

How many occurrences of that could you remove from your WIP if you were to adopt this approach?

The woman that who thought of this is a genius.

The alien that who piloted the third ship in the fleet turned purple when the star exploded.

The emergency medical hologram that who served on USS Voyager sometimes saved the crew from disaster.

The dog that who won the race was my dog, Swifty. I never doubted him for a second.

See also: “That” or “Who”? Which Word Is Correct?

Some Verbs May Not Require That

You can often remove that after these bridge verbs and their relatives.

A to W
assume, believe, claim, comment, decide, declare, establish, feel, figure, hear, hope, imagine, insist, know, posit, remark, report, respond, say, suggest, suppose, think, understand, write

Read the sentences below out loud, with and without that. Does deletion make an appreciable difference?

He believed that he could write the book in a month.

The patient claimed that he was no longer ill.

I figured that it was the best way to proceed.

The shoppers heard that there was a sale.

I imagine that the parcel will arrive on Saturday.

He insisted that he was fit to drive, even though I saw a dozen empty beer cans in the back seat.

The tech knew that nobody would understand the complex algorithm but tried to explain it anyway.

He said that nobody showed up.

I suggest that you go to bed before your father gets home!

I suppose that you expect a surprise party.

He thinks that he can string her along even though he’s dating three other women.

I understand that you’re upset, but let me explain why I did it.

Rewording

Sometimes rewording is the best approach.

he was unaware of the fact that
he didn’t know about

I wonder why that is.
Why?

in spite of the fact that
although, even if, even though

owing to the fact that
because, since

Why did she try to keep something like that from her doctor?
Why did she try to keep such a thing from her doctor?

It was that that made the difference.
[A specific incident] made the difference.

It’s something that we should all do.
We should all [provide details].

The cake wasn’t that bad.
The cake wasn’t so bad.

That was the last straw.
[A specific incident] was the last straw.

On that matter, he refuses to compromise.
On [specific issue], he refuses to compromise.

She insisted that she should pay the tab.
She insisted on paying the tab.

If that’s all you have to say, we can get to the point.
If you’re finished babbling, we can get to the point.

After that, everyone smiled and clapped.
After [specific incident], everyone smiled and clapped.
Afterward, everyone smiled and clapped.

Following that, he broke the vase.
Following [specific incident], he broke the vase.
[Next, then] he broke the vase.

Nouns or Pronouns + That

On your search-and-destroy mission, scrutinize sentences like the following. Does deletion of that change the meaning?

The rumor that the virus is no more deadly than the flu has been disproved.

The wonder that the woman displayed was contagious. Everyone fell to their knees.

My doctor told me that I have to self-isolate for another week.

There’s no doubt that the polar icecaps are melting at an unprecedented rate.

This isn’t the coat that I wore last week.

This is the package that he’s been expecting.

The book that I just published is a romantic comedy.

Adjectives + That

These senteces demonstrate how you can often remove that after adjectives.

It’s obvious that he’s lying.

I’m disappointed that she didn’t show up.

It’s tragic that the parachute didn’t open.

It’s unfortunate that he rejected the evidence.

She was afraid that the medication wouldn’t work.

The stew was so salty that no one would eat it.

His report card was so good that his parents gave him a computer.

Clichés, Idioms, and Trite Phrases

Stale expressions sometimes creep into writing. One here, another there … and soon they overtake a page or chapter. Although they may function well in dialogue, consider rewording when appropriate.

All that glitters is not gold: Appearances may be misleading. Don’t trust everything you see

at that point in time: next, subsequently, then

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt: Ditto. Likewise. Me too.

Can’t say that I have: No, I haven’t. I’ve never [specific incident].

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Do you have to be so vulgar? Why are you so crude?

for all that: however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still

I’ll drink to that: Agreed. Certainly. Definitely. Indeed. Of course.

in the event that: every time, if, whenever

Is that a fact? Is that so? Are you sure? Really?

living proof that: confirmation of, corroboration of, verification of

Sorry to hear that: I sympathize. I regret what happened.

that said, having said that: even so, however, nevertheless

That’s a fact: Beyond doubt. Clearly. It’s true. Literally.

That’s a likely story: You’re lying. I don’t believe you.

That’s easy for you to say: [Specific incident] is difficult for me.

That’s fine by me: All right. I agree. OK. Sure.

That goes without saying: Certainly. Obviously. Of course.  Undoubtedly.

That’s news to me: I didn’t know; I had no idea

That’s that! I’m done. [Specific noun or pronoun] is finished. [Specific proper noun or pronoun]’s word is final

the straw that broke the camel’s back: the breaking point, the last straw, the final indignity, the limit

To bite the hand that feeds you: criticize, disparage rebuff, reject, turn against [an ally, a benefactor, a Good Samaritan, a patron, a provider]

with a face that would stop a clock: hideous, repulsive, revolting, ugly

When in Doubt

Read your work out loud. If omitting that sounds awkward, leave it in or reword your sentence.