That's Not Going Anywhere - Language's Stubborn Habits

Have you ever found yourself wrestling with a sentence, feeling a strong pull to include what seems like a strange word repetition, say a double "that"? It's a rather common experience, a little bit like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, only to discover the language itself sometimes has its own peculiar shapes. For many of us, when faced with these odd moments in writing, we just never quite knew the best way to sort things out, did we? It's a situation that, in a way, feels quite familiar to anyone who puts thoughts down on paper, or on a screen, for others to read.

Just recently, I was looking over an academic piece that had gone through a professional editing process. What became clear was how certain phrases, which I had used without a second thought, were gently nudged into different forms. For instance, every time I had written "given that," it was changed to simply "given." This shift, you know, makes you wonder about the subtle rules that govern our words, and how some expressions just tend to stick around, while others get a bit of a makeover. It's almost as if some parts of our speech are incredibly fixed, while others are more flexible.

This whole idea of words and phrases having a kind of staying power, a refusal to fade away, is really quite interesting. We see it in grammar quirks, in the way slang takes hold, and in those old sayings that seem to have been around for ages. It suggests that certain ways of expressing ourselves, for various reasons, simply become ingrained. They become things that are, quite literally, not going anywhere, holding their ground in our daily conversations and written pieces, no matter how much we might try to smooth them out or change them up a little.

Table of Contents

Why Do Some Phrases Just Stick Around?

It's a question many of us have, actually, when we consider the words we use every single day. Why is it that some ways of putting things simply refuse to vanish? You might try to write something, and a particular phrase just feels right, even if it might raise an eyebrow or two from a strict grammarian. It's a bit like a favorite old jacket; it might have a few worn spots, but it still fits comfortably. This persistence, you know, is a sign of how language really works in the wild, not just in a textbook. It’s a testament to the way people truly speak and write, rather than how they might be told to. Some turns of phrase, it seems, are just too comfortable to give up, meaning they are definitely not going anywhere.

The Curious Case of Repeated Words: That's Not Going Anywhere

Think about the times you've seen or written a sentence with a "double that." For instance, "He will understand that I was not joking," versus "He will understand I was not joking." Which one sounds more natural to your ear? Often, the version with the extra "that" feels a little bit more complete, or perhaps a little more formal, even if it's technically optional. It's a funny thing, but the presence or absence of such a tiny word can change the feel of a whole statement. Sometimes, these small, seemingly extra words, just tend to stick around, almost like a linguistic habit. It's almost as if, once a pattern takes hold, it’s not going anywhere easily. People often debate these things, but both forms continue to be used, showing a certain stubbornness in how we arrange our words.

When you consider how language works, it's quite apparent that certain patterns become very deeply ingrained. We might learn rules in school, but the way we speak and write often follows its own path, shaped by common usage. This is why some phrases, even those that might seem a little redundant or unusual upon closer inspection, just keep appearing. They have a kind of inertia, a momentum that keeps them in circulation. So, while an editor might suggest removing a "that," many of us will still find ourselves including it, simply because it feels right, a clear sign that this particular usage is not going anywhere.

When Formal Meets Friendly- What's Not Going Anywhere?

Language has a way of shifting, doesn't it? What might be considered proper in one setting could feel overly stiff in another. Consider the phrase "given that." In academic papers or formal reports, it serves a specific purpose, setting up a reason or condition. Yet, in more relaxed conversation, or even in less formal writing, it often gets trimmed down to just "given." This simplification is a natural part of how language evolves, making things quicker and easier to say. However, the more formal version doesn't just disappear. It simply finds its home in different places. So, both versions, in their own ways, are definitely not going anywhere, they just live in different linguistic neighborhoods.

Grammar's Quirky Corners: That's Not Going Anywhere

Sometimes, grammar rules can feel a little bit like a puzzle, with pieces that don't always seem to fit neatly. Take, for instance, the idea of a "stranded preposition." Typically, a preposition comes before the word it relates to, like "information about." But then you hear something like "information below," where "below" is at the end, seemingly hanging out on its own. To some ears, this might sound a little bit odd, or even incorrect. Yet, it's a construction that has become quite common in certain contexts. It shows how language, in its natural flow, can bend its own rules, and these bends often become accepted ways of speaking and writing. This means that, even if it raises an eyebrow, this kind of structure is not going anywhere, it's just a part of how we communicate.

Similarly, consider those phrases that are often called "fossilized," like "that being said" or "having said that." These are expressions that have become fixed, almost like single words, and we use them without really thinking about their individual parts. While someone might argue that "that's been said" sounds wrong in the same context, the other two are widely accepted and used. They are, in a way, linguistic relics that continue to serve a purpose, much like an old tool that still does the job. These kinds of set phrases, you know, have a remarkable staying power. They are, for all intents and purposes, not going anywhere, becoming a permanent fixture in our conversational toolkit.

The Lingering Power of Slang and Idioms- How Does It Stay?

Slang expressions and idioms are a fascinating part of any language, aren't they? They often have origins that are a bit obscure, or meanings that aren't immediately obvious from the words themselves. Think about a phrase like "that dog don't hunt." If you're not familiar with American slang, it might sound quite literal, but it actually means something entirely different, like "that idea won't work" or "that approach is useless." These expressions, once they catch on, become deeply woven into the fabric of daily conversation. They carry a cultural weight, a shared understanding that goes beyond simple definitions. So, even if they seem strange at first glance, these bits of slang are very much not going anywhere, continuing to color our speech.

Everyday Expressions That Are Not Going Anywhere

Consider how we use phrases like "fine with me" versus "fine by me." Both convey agreement, but one might feel a little more formal than the other, though only slightly. It's interesting how these subtle differences persist, and how both versions continue to be used side by side. It suggests that language often has room for variations, and that these variations can coexist without one completely replacing the other. This kind of linguistic diversity, where multiple ways of saying something persist, shows that these options are not going anywhere. They simply offer different shades of meaning or formality, allowing us to pick the one that best fits the moment.

Then there are the idioms that have a story behind them, like "giving it the old college try." This phrase refers to putting in a maximum effort, often in a situation where success isn't guaranteed. Its origin might be linked to old rituals or traditions from universities, but its meaning has broadened and become universally understood. Similarly, "chalk it up to" dates back to the practice of tallying debts on a chalkboard. These phrases, with their historical roots, continue to be used because they succinctly capture a common experience or idea. They are, in a very real sense, not going anywhere, becoming timeless ways to express certain concepts.

Business Speak and Its Lasting Grip: What's Not Going Anywhere Here?

The world of business, it seems, has its own special vocabulary, a collection of words and phrases that often take on very specific meanings within that setting. Take "due diligence," for example. A lawyer might use it to describe the careful investigation of a potential deal, like a merger or an investment. But it's also become a widespread "buzzword," used more broadly to mean thorough research or care. This is a phrase that, in some respects, has a very particular origin, yet it has spread far beyond that initial context. Its persistence in both formal and informal business talk shows that it's a term that is definitely not going anywhere, maintaining its relevance across different professional conversations.

The Staying Power of New Meanings: That's Not Going Anywhere

Words, you know, can pick up new meanings over time, and sometimes these new meanings are quite unexpected, or even a little bit controversial. For instance, a phrase that originally meant "do fellatio" was first recorded in 1928, and a slang sense of "be contemptible" appeared in 1971. These are meanings that, once they enter the common lexicon, tend to stick. They become part of the language's informal side, used in certain circles and understood by many, even if they aren't found in formal dictionaries or taught in schools. It highlights how language is a living thing, constantly taking on new layers of meaning, and how those new meanings, once established, are often not going anywhere, becoming permanent additions to our vast collection of words and phrases.

This, that, these e those: quando usar? - Brasil Escola

This, that, these e those: quando usar? - Brasil Escola

“That”の種類と見分け方!使い方の総まとめ - ネイティブキャンプ英会話ブログ | 英会話の豆知識や情報満載

“That”の種類と見分け方!使い方の総まとめ - ネイティブキャンプ英会話ブログ | 英会話の豆知識や情報満載

The Pronoun "That" in the English Grammar | LanGeek

The Pronoun "That" in the English Grammar | LanGeek

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