Comments on: Which v. That http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/ Attorneys are Authors and Law Firms are Publishers Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:01:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Diane http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/comment-page-1/#comment-25728 Diane Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:52:02 +0000 http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/#comment-25728 THAT and WHICH used incorrectly makes me crazy! You can kind of blow it off when regular people are just talking, but when it's a part of a Pleading, the wrong word can change the entire meaning of a pertinent statement. I'm surprised that judges don't throw out cases for that reason. It seems like more emphasis is placed on the width of margins and the size of the font than using punctuation and sentence structure as tools for clearer communication. I've pointed it out to everyone I know, and not one person thinks it's a big deal. So, I've come to accept that I'm the only person alive who thinks "that and which" are not interchangeable. And... What's with commas instead of periods or semi-colons? Must be my age! THAT and WHICH used incorrectly makes me crazy! You can kind of blow it off when regular people are just talking, but when it’s a part of a Pleading, the wrong word can change the entire meaning of a pertinent statement. I’m surprised that judges don’t throw out cases for that reason. It seems like more emphasis is placed on the width of margins and the size of the font than using punctuation and sentence structure as tools for clearer communication.

I’ve pointed it out to everyone I know, and not one person thinks it’s a big deal. So, I’ve come to accept that I’m the only person alive who thinks “that and which” are not interchangeable.

And…

What’s with commas instead of periods or semi-colons?

Must be my age!

]]> By: Set in Style — Blog Archive » Lawyers as Pseudo-Editors http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/comment-page-1/#comment-18092 Set in Style — Blog Archive » Lawyers as Pseudo-Editors Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:08:24 +0000 http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/#comment-18092 [...] a REAL editor, this sentence needs some attention. Not only does it contain a grammatical error, it says that some mobile marketing campaigns, rather than the FTC, are attempting to set forth [...] [...] a REAL editor, this sentence needs some attention. Not only does it contain a grammatical error, it says that some mobile marketing campaigns, rather than the FTC, are attempting to set forth [...]

]]> By: Thorne http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/comment-page-1/#comment-14684 Thorne Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:47:14 +0000 http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/#comment-14684 Yes, but I don't see how a judge could get in much trouble for the error. On the other hand, when an attorney (who charges someone $450/hr) makes this error in an agreement, it might as well lead to disciplinary proceedings. Yes, but I don’t see how a judge could get in much trouble for the error. On the other hand, when an attorney (who charges someone $450/hr) makes this error in an agreement, it might as well lead to disciplinary proceedings.

]]> By: Greg May http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/comment-page-1/#comment-14680 Greg May Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:37:31 +0000 http://misterthorne.org/set_in_style/2008/03/01/which-v-that/#comment-14680 Judges seem to have as much trouble with this distinction as other lawyers do. Judicial opinions are rife with the use of "which" where "that" would be proper, as in, "The rule which appellant urges us to adopt would be unworkable," or "The statute which governs here is . . . ." Drives me nuts. Judges seem to have as much trouble with this distinction as other lawyers do. Judicial opinions are rife with the use of “which” where “that” would be proper, as in, “The rule which appellant urges us to adopt would be unworkable,” or “The statute which governs here is . . . .” Drives me nuts.

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