Conversation started Jul 23, 2015 at 22:41.
Anonymous
Jul 23, 2015 22:41
I disagree that the construction is ungrammatical without just (and CGEL backs up my point of view), but I can also understand why they'd say so.
Anonymous
It appears very often with just.
Damkerng T.
Damkerng T.
I agree with your disagreement.
Anonymous
Well, you can find real world examples without just. A lot of native speakers do talk that way.
Anonymous
Or write that way.
Damkerng T.
Damkerng T.
One alternative in their answer is useful, though, IMHO:
> That people don't talk doesn't mean they don't think.
Should fit business or formal occasions.
Anonymous
Jul 23, 2015 22:43
I'm not sure I'd ever use that sentence myself, but it does seem grammatical at least.
Damkerng T.
Damkerng T.
Another possible alternative:
> The fact that people don't talk doesn't mean they don't think.
Oh, a post by Grammarphobia seems to support my idea (“The fact that X … doesn’t mean Y.”):
grammarphobia.com/blog/2007/11/just-because-youre-you.html
Anonymous
Jul 23, 2015 23:13
@DamkerngT. CGEL also mentions the the fact that version.
Anonymous
Actually, I quoted that part. :-)
Damkerng T.
Damkerng T.
Ah, I missed that!
Anonymous
As an aside, when I say "the the fact that version", I pronounce the the's respectively /ði/ and /ðə/
Damkerng T.
Damkerng T.
See, it wasn't bolded. :P
Anonymous
But when I say "I pronounce the the's", I pronounce them respectively /ðə/ and /ðiz/
 
Conversation ended Jul 23, 2015 at 23:14.