0
Phillipw Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
THAT
I have a question about using 'that'. I've noticed in many sentences the word 'that' can be used or not and still sound correct. Is there any rule that stipulates when 'that' it is necessary? For instance, take the sentence above. It could be changed to: I've noticed THAT in many sentences the word 'that' can be used or not and still sound correct. Or this one: The Queen is due to arrive in America Friday amid fears Germany may invade her country. Is it better to say: The Queen is due to arrive in America Friday amid fears that Germany may invade her country. |
Top answer
Hi, Yes, you are correct. Many times we can leave out that without harming the intended meaning. When that is used as a conjunction, it is often left out after reporting verbs and adjectives, especially in informal English.
- Hi, Yes, you are correct.
- Many times we can leave out that without harming the intended meaning.
- When that is used as a conjunction, it is often left out after reporting verbs and adjectives, especially in informal English.
- She said (that) she was in the UK last year.
- I know (that) you want me to tell you what happened.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
Hi,
Yes, you are correct. Many times we can leave out that without harming the intended meaning.
When that is used as a conjunction, it is often left out after reporting verbs and adjectives,
especially in informal English.
She said (that) she was in the UK last year.
I know (that) you want me to tell you what happened.
I think (that) we must leave this p
Yes, you are correct. Many times we can leave out that without harming the intended meaning.
When that is used as a conjunction, it is often left out after reporting verbs and adjectives,
especially in informal English.
She said (that) she was in the UK last year.
I know (that) you want me to tell you what happened.
I think (that) we must leave this p
00
The only case you must be careful about is the case where that is the subject of a relative clause. You must include that in those cases. You have an example in your post:
Is there any rule that stipulates when 'that' is necessary?
This cannot be written as
*Is there any rule stipulates when 'that' is necessary?
because 'that
Is there any rule that stipulates when 'that' is necessary?
This cannot be written as
*Is there any rule stipulates when 'that' is necessary?
because 'that
00
When 'that' is not the subject of a relative clause, is its use completely subjective then?
Is it better to used 'that' in the following sentences, or doesn't it matter? Are there different rules for formal/informal writing?
She said (that) she liked school.
He believed (that) he spoke English well.
Is it better to used 'that' in the following sentences, or doesn't it matter? Are there different rules for formal/informal writing?
She said (that) she liked school.
He believed (that) he spoke English well.
00
phillipwWhen 'that' is not the subject of a relative clause, is its use completely subjective then?I can't promise that its use is always completely optional in those cases, but it seems to me that it is.
phillipwShe said (that) she liked school.It never hurts to ke
He believed (that) he spoke English well.
0
Related Questions