Do any of you people remember why not to use the following words:

that
which
who; exception: "Who are you?"

One reason is to keep the sentence simple and to the point. If the word is not needed, and has no meaning in conveying the meaning of the sentence, remove the word from the sentence.

I cannot remember why not to use these words, kind of like George Carlin's Heavy Seven.

I had an elderly jr. high school English teacher, Mrs. Christensen, age then was past retirement, whose face would get beet red for using the three words mentioned. "They have NO USE in sentence structure. I'll deduct a grade point for each word found throughout the year from your homework."

Thanks

To whom are you addressing your comments? :waving:


Larger Dave

Who would be concerned about that which you are speaking?
(Sorry, couldn't help it)

Who that which?

Kurt

That which who?

generally use 'which' with a non restrictive clause. Use 'that' with a restrictive clause.
British writers seem to use 'which' all the time.

you use that or which unless it is a person - then you use 'who'

".. a man who owned a camaro" NOT " ..a man that owned a camaro"

That's that, I suppose, but pray tell who is going to know which witch is which, now?

I had an elderly jr. high school English teacher, Mrs. Christensen, age then was past retirement, whose face would get beet red for using the three words mentioned. "They have NO USE in sentence structure. I'll deduct a grade point for each word found throughout the year from your homework."

Thanks

Then why prey tell are the in the English language. I mean it's not like your speaking Ebonics. (Wad' up G.) Or red neck (Yeehaw!) Now on the other hand to make your "old" English teacher happy how about this. Go. or I do. Now that could make for a whole other debate.;)
FYI my wife teaches Jr High English , Literature and, speech. And ya know what it ain't helped me nun.

Thanks for the help so far, guys. I knew I could count on y'all.

All I remember on this is that of which you are referring....

Many times the pronoun (that, which, it,etc) will refer not to a single noun but a whole idea. So it is ok to use if the writer's meaning is obvious.

Dennis called Mister G two hours after the agreed-upon time and cancelled their next days car show. THIS made Mister G very angry.

What made Mister G unhappy? The late call, the cancellation or both?

I second that :)

What about:

"That which who gave me an F on my spelling exam."

Yes, I spelled it wrong on purpose.