It Was Said That “That That”

One of the most intriguing curiosities in the English language is the sentence:

It was said that that that...

At first glance, it seems like a typo—but it’s actually grammatically correct! Let’s break it down.

Understanding the Sentence

The full version might read: “It was said that that ‘that’ that he used was incorrect.”

Here’s what each “that” means:

• First “that”: a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause (“It was said that...”).
• Second “that”: a demonstrative pronoun referring to something previously mentioned.
• Third “that”: the word “that” itself being discussed (often italicized or quoted).

This sentence showcases how English can use the same word in multiple grammatical roles—sometimes even consecutively!

Why It Matters

While playful, such constructions highlight the flexibility—and occasional confusion—of natural language. They’re favorite examples among linguists, teachers, and word enthusiasts.