While writing, you might occasionally notice that you’ve structured your sentence in such a way that you used the same word twice in a row. This grammatical instance is called double word usage, a phenomenon that happens now and then during the sentence-composing process:
- Before we left the baseball game, I had had three hot dogs.
- What he is is a cheater.
- They should know that that behavior is problematic.
Double words do not inherently break any grammatical rules, but in general, writers should strive to avoid them because double words sound awkward. Further, since writers don’t have the advantage of using voice inflection to differentiate the functions of the former and latter word, double words in writing can be confusing, forcing the audience to reread a sentence to understand its meaning.
This guide will outline three common double-word combos, providing examples and strategies for how to rearrange your sentences and avoid doubling your reader’s confusion. Keep in mind that while this article pairs each solution with a specific double-word error, each of these solutions can help with a variety of double-word dilemmas.
Common Double-Word Combinations and Strategies for Swapping
1. “had had”
Probably the most common double word, had had demonstrates the past-perfect verb tense when the sentence uses had as both a linking verb and primary verb. In context, it looks like this:
Awkward or confusing usage of had had:
- The Golden State Warriors had had a successful season up until their losing streak.
- I had had enough of the drama at my school, so I left.
- Before falling asleep, I had had Advil and Nyquil.
While grammatically correct, a sentence featuring had had risks confusion, awkwardness, and perceived sloppiness.
Solution: Change the double word’s verb to a more active one
By switching the verb–like the latter had–you eliminate the double word and can swap in a synonym or related word with more action and specificity. Replacing a verb like had with a more specific verb also makes the sentence more active and less passive.
- Double word: The Golden State Warriors had had a successful season up until their losing streak.
- Active verb: The Golden State Warriors had strung together a successful season up until their losing streak.
- Double word: I had had enough of the drama at my school, so I left.
- Active verb: I had endured enough of the drama at my school, so I left.
2. “is is,” “are are,” “was was,” and “were were”
Formed in a passively-structured sentence that doubles a form of linking verb to be (is, was, are, were), the is is double word should always be avoided. People commonly use this double word in speech, when it’s not quite as confusing as in writing:
Awkward or confusing usage of is is:
- What she is is a reliable friend.
- I dressed up as Spongebob for Halloween, and what they were were some other underwater sea creatures.
- My grandma sent me her location, and I saw that where she was was far away from me.
Since all forms of the is is double word are unnecessary and display passive voice, writers should make sure to avoid this double word, even though it technically doesn’t break any grammar rules.
Solution: Eliminate any unnecessary words or phrases from the sentence
Double-word combinations, especially forms of is is, often result from inefficient or awkward language in other parts of the sentence. When stuck with an awkward double, scan your sentence as a whole to see if it contains any unnecessarily wordy phrases or sections; if a phrase or word simply takes up useless space within the sentence, delete it to help the sentence’s subject and action take center stage.
- Double word: What she is is a reliable friend.
- More-efficient phrasing: She is a reliable friend.
- Double word: I dressed up as Spongebob for Halloween, and what they were were some other underwater sea creatures.
- More-efficient phrasing: I dressed up as Spongebob for Halloween, and they were underwater creatures.
3. “that that”
Since the word that can function as a conjunction (“he told me that I should…”), a demonstrative pronoun (“look at that…”), or a relative adjective (“look at that building…”), sentences frequently feature two thats in a row: that that.
Awkward or confusing usage of that that:
- I can’t believe that that car has made it so many years without breaking down.
- Did you know that that kid over there is the worldwide chess champion?
- He saw that that route wouldn’t work, so he’d have to try another.
While that that is grammatically correct and a more benign, less awkward double-word combo than is is is (whoa), it still helps to remain mindful of that that in your writing, avoiding it when possible. Like other double words, that that usually provides a ripe opportunity for improved phrasing and clarity.
Solution one: Swap out the double word’s adjective for a different one
Some double words contain a relative adjective, such as the second that in “did you know that that behavior bothers me?” You can swap out the adjective for a similar but distinct adjective that maintains the noun’s meaning, such as “Did you know that such behavior bothers me?” Just make sure that the new adjective doesn’t critically alter the sentence’s meaning in an undesired way.
- Double word: He saw that that route wouldn’t work, so he’d have to try another.
- New adjective: He saw that his usual route wouldn’t work, so he’d have to try another.
- Double word: Please tell me that that Honda isn’t your new car.
- New adjective: Please tell me that red Honda isn’t your new car.
Solution two: When applicable, drop one of the doubled words
The word that sometimes serves as a conjunction, beginning a noun clause that acts as the sentence’s object. For example, “Today I learned that cheetahs are the world’s fastest mammal.” When functioning as part of a noun clause acting as the sentence’s object, the word that isn’t critical (“Today I learned cheetahs are the world’s fastest mammal.”), but helps to clarify the noun clause, separating it from the sentence’s primary subject and verb, in this case I learned. Keep in mind that when a that noun clause acts as the sentence’s subject, the that must remain.
When you have a double that leading into a noun clause acting as an object, you can drop one of the thats, and the following noun clause still gets distinguished, without the confusion of a double word.
- Double word: Did you know that that kid over there is the worldwide chess champion?
- Removed conjunction: Did you know that kid over there is the worldwide chess champion?
- Double word: I can’t believe that that makes three days in a row with temperatures below twenty degrees.
- Removed conjunction: I can’t believe that makes three days in a row with temperatures below twenty degrees.
Wrapping up
With the vast expanse of words in the English language, every writer can do better than using the same word twice in a row. Whether you aim to maximize clarity, create a more particular tone, or craft a precise image in the reader’s mind, reconsidering sentence structure to avoid double words will likely help your writing in multiple ways. The strategies suggested here can provide yet another tool in your writer’s toolbox, which will continue to expand for as long as you write and communicate. Enjoy the process, and write on.
