The Jeweller’s Window

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30568, 10 October 1964, Page 5

The Jeweller’s Window

Faulty Joinery

[Specially written for "The Preet" by

ARNOLD WALL]

rpHE maker of furniture is A called a joiner, this is because the putting together of the various parts is so essential in his work. The writer is also a joiner, the proper joining together of the parts is an essential feature of correct writing. The writer’s glue, or dovetail, or hinge is the conjunction. Here are half a dozen examples of bad, inexpert, or clumsy joinery, all, naturally, from the United States, though doubtless some might be collected elsewhere. “United States officials are disturbed THAT Cambodia may draw closer to the Communist bloc.” (Cable 15.9.63). “That” should be “because.” ‘The desire is to impress the American people THAT the nation still has leadership.” “Upon” should come after “impress.” (Cable 4.12.55.)

“President Johnson grieved THAT President Kennedy was not standing in his place.” ‘That” should be “because.” (Cable 4.12.63.)

“Officials- were concerned THAT the incident signified a deterioration.” “That” should be “because.” (Cable 19.11.63.) "Many economists are worried THAT strains may increase the dangers.” (6.12.63.) “That” should be “because.” "Business has been worried THAT it would not make up this deficit." (6.12.63.) “That it would not" should be “lest it should not”

The tendency illustrated In these examples is to extend unduly the signification of the conjunction “that” and, in fact, to treat It as a sort of conjunction-of-all-work with no definite or clear meaning.