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SpoonfedBaby Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Omission of "that" as subordinate conjunction
Dear Helpers,
I don’t know when I can omit the word “that.” I looked for the word “that” in the index of my grammar book. I found it in different chapters.
Case ( A ) : Object of a verb:
The man (that) I saw told me to come back today.
This is the best hotel (that) I know.
Note:
I read “If it is the object of a verb, the “that” can be removed.”
Case ( B ) :The conditional:
I hope (that) I will succeed.
I hoped (that) I would succeed.
He thinks (that) they will give him a visa.
He thought (that) they would give him a visa.
Note:
“that” are in parentheses in the book.
Case ( C ) :Reported speech
He explained that he never ate meat.
He said he was waiting for Ann.
He said he had found a flat.
He said that Ann would be in Paris on Monday.
Peter said that they ought to widen the road.
Bill said he would be 21 the following day.
Case ( D) :Noun clauses introduced by that:
It occurred to me that he might be lying.
It appears that we have come on the wrong way.
It is a pity that he didn’t come earlier.
He was relieved that no one had been hurt.
I’m delighted that you can come.
I understand that in the cases A and B, the word “that” can be omitted. I don’t know about the cases C and D. Can I omit the "that?"
Thanks in advance....
Spoonfedbaby
I don’t know when I can omit the word “that.” I looked for the word “that” in the index of my grammar book. I found it in different chapters.
Case ( A ) : Object of a verb:
The man (that) I saw told me to come back today.
This is the best hotel (that) I know.
Note:
I read “If it is the object of a verb, the “that” can be removed.”
Case ( B ) :The conditional:
I hope (that) I will succeed.
I hoped (that) I would succeed.
He thinks (that) they will give him a visa.
He thought (that) they would give him a visa.
Note:
“that” are in parentheses in the book.
Case ( C ) :Reported speech
He explained that he never ate meat.
He said he was waiting for Ann.
He said he had found a flat.
He said that Ann would be in Paris on Monday.
Peter said that they ought to widen the road.
Bill said he would be 21 the following day.
Case ( D) :Noun clauses introduced by that:
It occurred to me that he might be lying.
It appears that we have come on the wrong way.
It is a pity that he didn’t come earlier.
He was relieved that no one had been hurt.
I’m delighted that you can come.
I understand that in the cases A and B, the word “that” can be omitted. I don’t know about the cases C and D. Can I omit the "that?"
Thanks in advance....
Spoonfedbaby
Top answer
Yes, 'that' can be omitted at the head of a clause wherever it remains clear. '
- Yes, 'that' can be omitted at the head of a clause wherever it remains clear.
- '
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3 Answers
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Yes, 'that' can be omitted at the head of a clause wherever it remains clear. The main situation in which the 'that' should be retained is when it functions as the subject:
'That I was very, very late the boss made no bones about bringing to everyone's notice.'
'That I was very, very late the boss made no bones about bringing to everyone's notice.'
00
Hi Spoonfedbaby,
Omitting That
The word that is used as a conjunction to connect a subordinate clause to a preceding verb. In this construction that is sometimes called the "expletive that." Indeed, the word is often omitted to good effect, but the very fact of easy omission causes some editors to take out the red pen and strike out the conjunction t00
Thank so much, yulysess,to have typed that long explanation. 
Spoonfedbaby
Spoonfedbaby
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