English Mania - The Power of Seven

R. Edin Brow

Assistant Professor in English 

Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering

 The following sentence contains 7 identical words in a row and still makes sense:

"It is true for all that that that that that that that refers to is not the same that that that that refers to."

(= It is true for all that, that that "that" which that "that" refers to is not the same "that" which that "that" refers to.)

It	is	true	for	all	that	that	that	that	that	that	that
					pronoun	conjunction	determiner	noun	relative pronoun	determiner	noun
							(adjective)	"that"	which	(adjective)	"that"

refers	to	is	not	the	same	that	that	that	that	refers	to.
						noun	relative pronoun	determiner	noun
						"that"	which	(adjective)	"that"

A sentence with a similar pattern, which may help to unravel the above, is:

It is true, despite everything you say, that this word which this word refers to is not the same word which this word refers to.

Or, if you insist on being really correct:

It is true, despite everything you say, that this word to which this word refers is not the same word to which this word refers.

Enrich Your Vocabulary:

1. Mania : an excessive enthusiasm or desire; an obsession.

2. Identical : similar in every detail; exactly alike.

3. Unravel: investigate and solve or explain (something complicated or puzzling).

                      "They were attempting to unravel the cause of death."

4. Determiner: a modifying word that determines the kind of reference a noun or noun group has,  for example: a, the, every.

  

Courtesy: http://www.englishclub.com/ref/esl/Power_Of_Seven/Seven_Thats_2948.htm

Workspot tid-bits

S. Janneker Lawrence Daniel,

Assistant Professor of English,

Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering.

 

Though the following might seem to be prejudiced, trust me guys. It is not biased. This is based on my previous experience. Your comments are welcome.

To work with women is difficult, especially so if there is struggle for power among them and one gets himself caught in the crossfire. To please one and rub the other one on the wrong side would be to invite disaster whereas to please both would definitely land one in deep and troubled waters. To slip away from the scene discreetly might backfire ending up in the rival parties partying together with the noose falling on one’s own neck. No amount of caution would enable a man to be safe while in such a situation. The negative effect is manifold when wielded by a woman, more so if handled out of jealousy or revenge. There is yet another dangerous breed out there. They speak good of you to others. They shine in your eyes as the epitome of goodness and well-wishing. Alas! If only it lasted for a bit more! Tragedy will be swift when such creatures in order to keep their conscience clear, twist and distort every single word that one utters and every act of benevolence is clearly portrayed and magnified into an act of malevolence. Beware of such nitwits……you’d better be…..for your own good.

Courtesy: http://jannekerlawrence.blogspot.in/

My soul-mate

My soul-mate is a short story. Read the story to enjoy its flavour and relish the language.

The link to the story is http://www.readomania.com/story/my-soul-mate

Your comments are most welcome.