Omission of THAT in the extraposition
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Can we omit THAT in the expraposed sentences?
This issue doesn't seem to appear in grammar books but I sometimes come across the examples.
Like the sentences below.
Is this possible in speaking but not in writing?
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It's good they're on your side.
It's possible she wrote it.
It was clear he had no intention of doing it.
It's unlikely she would have lived past 10:30.
Top answer
Generally, it depends on the structure of the matrix clause and the content clause itself. In matrix clauses containing "be" + a short predicative complement, like those in your examples, I'd say that "that" can be omitted, especially in informal style. But compare: It distresses me [that he is trying to lay the blame for the accident on us].
- Generally, it depends on the structure of the matrix clause and the content clause itself.
- In matrix clauses containing "be" + a short predicative complement, like those in your examples, I'd say that "that" can be omitted, especially in informal style.
- But compare: It distresses me [that he is trying to lay the blame for the accident on us].
- It disturbs her [that he was acquitted].
- It worries me [that he hasn't phoned].
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Generally, it depends on the structure of the matrix clause and the content clause itself.
In matrix clauses containing "be" + a short predicative complement, like those in your examples, I'd say that "that" can be omitted, especially in informal style. But compare:
It distresses me [that he is trying to lay the blame for the accident on us].
It disturbs her [that
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