Onerousthat

Onerousthat is a coined term used in discussions of rhetoric and contract language to describe a sentence pattern that foregrounds a burdensome obligation by attaching a that-clause to an introductory modifier or noun phrase. The term is not part of formal grammar, but it appears in online glossaries and critical commentary as a way to discuss how certain constructions amplify perceived obligations.

Origin and usage

The exact origin of onerousthat is unclear, but it began appearing in informal linguistic and legal-language discussions in the early 2020s. It is typically used as a descriptive label rather than as a prescriptive category. In practice, the term helps commentators point to a stylistic effect in which the burden of compliance is highlighted through the combination of an initial frame and a binding that-clause.

Characteristics

Key features of the pattern associated with onerousthat include: a framing element (such as a noun phrase or adjective) that signals burden or difficulty; a that-clause that states the binding obligation; and an emphasis on the severity or rigidity of the obligation. The effect is often to draw attention to the onerous nature of the requirement, sometimes for critical or analytical purposes.

Examples

The policy includes an onerousthat that requires quarterly audits regardless of performance. The lease contains an onerousthat that penalizes delays with steep late fees. The use of onerousthat is intended to spotlight the burden rather than to propose a practical interpretation.

See also

Legalese, contract drafting, rhetorical devices, intensifiers.

References

The term remains largely informal and is not widely codified in standard linguistic references.