Should I say "all the materials that I can find"

Question

Hi guys, I'm confused if I should say"all the materials that I can find", or "all the materials I can find", which one is correct? Is there a better and more concise way to say this? Thank you!Eric

BillJ · Accepted Answer

Both are correct. In certain circumstances, as in your example, "that" is omissible. If you'd like a more detailed account of when to include or omit "that", just let me know and I'll post it straight away.

BillJ

Ubchouserent · Answer

Hi BillJ,

Thank you so much for your explanation. It helped a lot.
Could you post more details about the omission of "that"? I'd love to learn.

Thank you again.

Cheers,
Eric

BillJ · Answer

ubchouserentCould you post more details about the omission of "that"? I'd love to learn.

OK, here it is:

With declarative content clauses (that-clauses), sometimes the subordinator that is obligatory, sometimes it's optional, and sometimes it's inadmissible. Here are some examples. The first in each pair is with that, the second without that. (I've starred the ungrammatical clauses):

1. Obligatory: That I need help is clear. (*I need help is clear)
2. Inadmissible: *I left before that he arrived. (I left before he arrived)
3. Optional: I know that it's genuine. (I know it's genuine)

The main place where that is obligatory is where the content clause is subject of the matrix clause, as in 1. It is likewise obligatory if the content clause is preposed so as to precede the subject, as in That I need help I can't deny.

That is also inadmissible in a clause that is complement to a preposition like before, as in 2. Most preps exclude that; there are only a very few (such as notwithstanding, in order, and provided), which allow it.

Elsewhere, that is in general optional, as in 3. and in your example. It is more likely to be omitted in informal than in formal style, and it is more likely to be omitted after short and common verbs than after longer and less frequent ones. For example, in This will demonstrate that it is genuine the subordinator would probably not be omitted.

I hope that helps.

BillJ

Ubchouserent · Answer

Wow, this is really detailed. Thanks a lot!

Eric

Ubchouserent · Answer

Hi BillJ,

I have one more question. Is this sentence correct "I will be down-to-earth and make progress step-by-step."? Or is there a more native and official way to say this? It's from my cover letter, so I want it to be more written-language.

Thank you!
Eric

BillJ · Answer

Provided it fits the context, it's quite acceptable.

BillJ

Ubchouserent · Answer

ok, I got it. Thanks man!

Eric

Should I say "all the materials that I can find"

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