Discussion»Questions»Humor and Jokes» I like the fact that Element 99 hired me to cook for him. It's just the dress code with which I disagree. Is that wrong of me?
And Randy, speaking of elements, I'm surprised that you are unfamiliar with the chapter in William Strunk's (and later editions with EB White) The Elements of Style that covers "the fact that" and teaches that the phrase is very debilitating to good writing style and should never be used.
It’s always good to have multiple lines in the water, maybe you’ll snag something worthwhile eventually.
This post was edited by Don Barzini at July 14, 2018 12:30 PM MDT
Don't be surprised: I have never heard of such a thing. I see absolutely nothing incorrect about what I wrote, even after having read your comment. Thanks, though, for having rendered it.
Anyone who considers oneself knowledgeable about grammar, style et al ought to be familiar with this little book, considered the definitive work on writing style and widely used in freshman writing classes at major colleges and universities.
It's right here, directly quoted from Chapter 13:
13. Omit needless words.
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
Many expressions in common use violate this principle:
the question as to whether ------------ whether (the question whether) there is no doubt but that ------------- no doubt (doubtless) used for fuel purposes -------------- used for fuel he is a man who ------------- he in a hasty manner or hastily this is a subject which ------------- this subject His story is a strange one ----------- His story is strange
The fact that is an especially debilitating expression. It should be revised out of every sentence in which it occurs.
owing to the fact that ----------- since (because) in spite of the fact that ----------- though (although) call your attention to the fact that ---------- remind you (notify you) I was unaware of the fact that ------------ I was unaware that (did not know) the fact that he had not succeeded ------------- his failure the fact that I had arrived ----------- my arrival