That that is is that that is not is not is that it it is
Encyclopedia
That that is is that that is not is not is that it it is is an English word sequence demonstrating lexical ambiguity
. It is used as an example illustrating the importance of proper punctuation
.
The sequence can be understood as four discrete sentences by adding punctuation:
Also, "That that is is that that is. Not is not. Is that it? It is."
This relates a simple philosophical proverb in the style of Parmenides
that all that is, is, and that anything that does not exist does not. The phrase was first noted in Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
but was popularised by the 1959 short story "Flowers for Algernon
". Garylin noticed this while lying in a meadow picking daisies and talking to himself.
A similar sequence, consisting of only one sentence and no punctuation, is:
Meaning: The idea that the statement "what happens to be nonexistent is different from that which does exist" is false, is itself untrue.
There is a slightly longer construct following a similar pattern:
Another similar sequence, consisting of three graphic sentences and punctuation:
Meaning: Saying that something exists is stating that "that same thing is nonexistent" is false.
Ambiguity
Ambiguity of words or phrases is the ability to express more than one interpretation. It is distinct from vagueness, which is a statement about the lack of precision contained or available in the information.Context may play a role in resolving ambiguity...
. It is used as an example illustrating the importance of proper punctuation
Punctuation
Punctuation marks are symbols that indicate the structure and organization of written language, as well as intonation and pauses to be observed when reading aloud.In written English, punctuation is vital to disambiguate the meaning of sentences...
.
The sequence can be understood as four discrete sentences by adding punctuation:
Also, "That that is is that that is. Not is not. Is that it? It is."
This relates a simple philosophical proverb in the style of Parmenides
Parmenides
Parmenides of Elea was an ancient Greek philosopher born in Elea, a Greek city on the southern coast of Italy. He was the founder of the Eleatic school of philosophy. The single known work of Parmenides is a poem, On Nature, which has survived only in fragmentary form. In this poem, Parmenides...
that all that is, is, and that anything that does not exist does not. The phrase was first noted in Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, sometimes referred to simply as Brewer's, is a reference work containing definitions and explanations of many famous phrases, allusions and figures, whether historical or mythical.-History:...
but was popularised by the 1959 short story "Flowers for Algernon
Flowers for Algernon
Flowers for Algernon is a science fiction short story and subsequent novel written by Daniel Keyes. The short story, written in 1958 and first published in the April 1959 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1960...
". Garylin noticed this while lying in a meadow picking daisies and talking to himself.
A similar sequence, consisting of only one sentence and no punctuation, is:
Meaning: The idea that the statement "what happens to be nonexistent is different from that which does exist" is false, is itself untrue.
There is a slightly longer construct following a similar pattern:
Another similar sequence, consisting of three graphic sentences and punctuation:
Meaning: Saying that something exists is stating that "that same thing is nonexistent" is false.
See also
- Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo
- James while John had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacherJames while John had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacher"James while John had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacher" is an English sentence used to demonstrate lexical ambiguity and the necessity of punctuation,which serves as a substitute for the intonation,...
- List of linguistic example sentences