sentence patterns - How to avoid that "that that" that is so very awkward


In all seriousness, are there any common patterns or strategies people use to avoid having to write a sentence in which "that that" appears?


For example:



Evidential decision theory recommends taking the action that you expect will yield the highest utility, given that that action has been taken.



I am aware that the construction is grammatical; it's just rather ungainly in written form. Interestingly I find it doesn't usually sound as awkward as it reads, since people usually pronounce the two differently, with a long a on the second 'that'.



Answer



US English usage tends to replace the use of "which/who/whom" with "that".


Normal usage:



I believe this is the reason which caused her to lose her mind.



US tendency:



I believe this is the reason that caused her to lose her mind.



Normal usage:



This is the man who has taken my parking spot.



US tendency:



This is the man that has taken my parking spot.



To exact revenge on US tendency for over-use (and frequently inappropriate use) of "that", we should look for opportunities to replace "that" with any other word. It is frustrating isn't it, when even Microsoft Word compels you to replace your "whiches" with "thats"? Here, revenge of the whiches ...



Evidential decision theory recommends taking the action which you expect will yield the highest utility, given that such action has been taken.



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