A that that that sentence works when each “that” serves a distinct role; commas and context keep it readable.
You’ve seen it in drafts, captions, or student essays: three “that” words in a row. It looks wrong at a glance. Still, the pattern can be correct English.
This article shows how the triple-that pattern happens, how to tell when it’s doing real work, and how to rewrite it when it feels clunky.
That That That Sentence Rules For Clear Writing
A sentence can contain “that” as a determiner (“that book”), as a clause marker (“I said that…”), and as a relative marker (“the claim that…”). When those roles stack, you get the triple string. If each “that” points to a different job, the grammar holds.
Readability is the part you control. A reader can’t see roles; they only see repetition. Your task is to make the roles obvious with structure, punctuation, and smart substitutions.
| Role Of “That” | What It Connects | Fast Check |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrative determiner | Points to a specific noun (“that report”) | Swap “that” with “this” and see if sense stays |
| Demonstrative pronoun | Stands alone for a thing (“That was loud”) | Try “That thing” or “That idea” |
| Complementizer | Introduces a clause after verbs (“I think that…”) | Drop it; if meaning stays, it’s optional |
| Relative marker | Introduces a restrictive relative clause | Replace with “which” only if commas aren’t needed |
| Noun-clause marker | Starts a clause acting as a noun | Try “the fact that…” or “the idea that…” |
| Reported-speech signal | Flags quoted meaning without quotes | Add quotes; if it still works, it’s that role |
| Adjective-clause link | Links noun to a clause (“the claim that…”) | Insert a noun: “the claim that he lied” |
| Carryover from earlier phrasing | Repeats a “that …” chunk already set up | Move the chunk earlier or later; watch the stack change |
What A Triple “That” Usually Means
Most triple strings come from a tight chain: a noun plus a “that” clause, followed right away by a verb that also takes a “that” clause. The first “that” binds to the noun. The second binds to the verb. The third is often a demonstrative pointing back to a prior idea.
When you spot three in a row, pause and label them in your head. Determiner? Clause marker? Relative marker? That quick labeling turns a scary line into a set of parts you can rearrange.
Why Your Eye Trips On It
On a screen, repeated short words blur together. The reader can’t “hear” the sentence yet; they’re scanning. Three identical tokens back-to-back creates a speed bump, even when the meaning is fine.
One Common Chain That Produces Three
A frequent build is “the claim that …” followed by a verb like “shows that …”. If a demonstrative “that” sits between those chunks, you get three in a row. Each one can be correct, yet the reader still stumbles.
How To Parse It In Ten Seconds
Use a two-pass read. First pass: read it aloud without stopping, even if it sounds odd. Second pass: place brackets around clauses so you can see what each “that” attaches to.
- Circle the noun right before the first “that.” Ask: “Is this ‘that’ pointing to a noun?”
- Find the main verb of the sentence. Ask: “Does this verb normally take a clause?”
- Mark where the clause ends. Look for a comma, a conjunction like “and,” or the sentence end.
- Check the middle “that.” If it follows a reporting verb (say, think, believe), it’s often a clause marker.
- Check the last “that.” If it sits before a noun, it’s likely demonstrative; if it starts a clause, it’s a marker.
Quick visual: [noun + that-clause] + [verb + that-clause] + [that + noun]
If you want a refresher on how “that” works across grammar roles, Cambridge Dictionary’s that (grammar) page lists the core uses with clear labels.
When To Keep The Repetition
Sometimes the triple string is the cleanest option. That happens when each “that” carries a different meaning and a substitution would blur the reference. Dense academic prose can land here, since precision beats elegance.
Keep it when you can point to each role without guessing. If you can’t label each “that,” the line may be hiding a structural issue.
Signals That The Triple “That” Is Doing Real Work
- The first “that” attaches to a noun phrase like “the belief that …”.
- The middle “that” attaches to a verb like “argue that …” or “prove that …”.
- The last “that” points to a specific noun right after it, not to a whole earlier paragraph.
When To Rewrite It For Flow
Most readers won’t fail a grammar test on your sentence. They’ll just stop reading. So if the line sits in a blog post, email, lesson, or handbook, a rewrite is often worth it.
A rewrite can be small. Often you only need one change: drop a removable clause marker, swap one “that” for “this,” or move a clause so the stack breaks.
Easy Fix 1 Drop The Optional Clause Marker
Many verbs allow you to omit the clause marker “that.” If removing it keeps meaning intact, do it. Read the sentence after removal to check rhythm and clarity.
Easy Fix 2 Replace A Demonstrative
If the first “that” is demonstrative, “this” may read smoother when the reference is close. “The” can also work when the noun is already clear from the prior sentence.
Easy Fix 3 Insert A Noun Anchor
If the reader can’t tell what the middle “that” points to, add a noun like “fact,” “idea,” or “claim.” This makes the chain visible without adding much length.
Easy Fix 4 Split The Sentence
Splitting is the blunt tool, yet it often wins for web reading. Put the noun-clause in one sentence. Put the verb-clause in the next. The meaning stays, and the eyes get a rest.
Triple “That” Lines From Real Writing Drafts
Here’s a practical way to think about it: a that that that sentence is usually a sign that two clause attachments landed beside each other. Nothing strange is happening. You’re just seeing the same word doing repeat duty.
Relative clauses and noun clauses create the tightest piles. Purdue OWL’s page on relative pronouns can help you spot where a clause is glued to a noun.
Quick Before After Edits
Before: The report that that editor cited said that that quote was misattributed.
After (drop one marker): The report that the editor cited said that that quote was misattributed.
After (split): The report that that editor cited said the quote was misattributed. It also explained where the error began.
That Versus Which Without Getting Burned
Writers often reach for “which” as a quick swap. Sometimes it reads smoother. Still, the swap isn’t just style. Punctuation and meaning matter. In restrictive clauses (no commas), “that” is often the cleanest choice in American usage. In nonrestrictive clauses (with commas), “which” is common.
If you change “that” to “which” and add commas, you may change what the noun phrase means. Treat that swap as a meaning check, not a rhythm fix.
Rewrite Moves That Keep Meaning Tight
Rewriting is a trade: you swap repetition for a slight change in texture. The goal is to keep the reference while making the line scan clean.
Pick one move, apply it, then read the sentence once. If it still feels sticky, apply a second move. Two moves are usually enough.
| Reader Goal | Rewrite Move | What Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce visual repetition | Delete an optional “that” after a verb | Shorter clause link; meaning stays if verb allows |
| Clarify reference | Swap demonstrative “that” to “this” | Signals the reference is nearby in the text |
| Anchor a clause | Add a noun (“fact/claim/idea”) before a clause | Shows what the clause describes |
| Ease the rhythm | Move the noun phrase earlier in the sentence | Breaks the stack by spacing clause markers |
| Cut reading strain | Split into two sentences | Each sentence carries one main clause link |
| Match formal tone | Use “which” only where punctuation fits | Shifts style; watch restrictive vs nonrestrictive meaning |
| Keep a quote clean | Use quotation marks for reported speech | Removes one “that” while keeping attribution clear |
| Keep the noun clear | Replace first “that” with “the” + specific noun | Removes demonstrative feel; keeps referent |
Punctuation That Makes The Stack Readable
Punctuation won’t repair a wrong sentence, yet it can rescue a right one. The main tool is the comma, used only when the structure calls for it. Don’t add commas inside a restrictive clause just to create breathing room; that changes meaning.
Use punctuation to show clause boundaries where the grammar already allows it. A dash can work in casual writing, but use it sparingly if your site voice is formal.
Three Spots To Check
- After introductory phrases that set up the main clause.
- Before coordinating conjunctions that join full clauses.
- Around parenthetical words that interrupt the clause flow.
Common Mistakes That Create Real Errors
Triple “that” strings can be correct. Errors show up when the sentence loses a clear subject, mixes clause types, or points “that” at the wrong noun.
- Using a demonstrative “that” with no clear referent in the nearby text.
- Placing commas around a restrictive clause and changing meaning by accident.
- Stacking two reporting verbs (“said that thought that…”) and losing the main action.
- Leaving out the noun that a clause is supposed to modify.
If you see one of these, rebuild the sentence around the main verb, then reattach the clauses one at a time.
A Quick Self Edit Checklist
Run this list when you see three “that” words in a row and you’re not sure what to do.
- Can you label each “that” role in your head in one pass?
- Can you drop the middle clause marker without changing meaning?
- Is the last “that” pointing to a noun right after it?
- Would “this” make the reference clearer for the reader?
- Would adding one anchor noun remove the confusion?
- Would a clean split keep the same meaning with less strain?
Practice Lines For Class Or Editing
Practice with short sentences first. Write one noun clause, then add a reporting verb, then add a demonstrative. Once you can build the pattern on purpose, you’ll spot it fast in drafts.
Draft three versions of the same idea: one that keeps all three “that” words, one that drops an optional marker, and one that splits into two sentences. Read all three aloud and pick the one that fits your audience.
Wrap Up
Triple “that” strings aren’t a sign of bad English. They’re a sign of stacked clause links. When you know the roles, you can keep the sentence for precision or reshape it for flow.
Next time you see the pattern, slow down for ten seconds, label each “that,” and choose one rewrite move. Your reader will feel the difference right away.