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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
When is necessary to add "that" following the verbs?
I always have a hard time with when I can skip “that” after these following verbs. If I say, “She knows that it’s going to happen.” My editor would change my sentence to: She knows it’s going to happen. If I say, “I believe it’s the truth.” My editor would change to: I believe that it’s the truth.
I’m so confused when “that” is necessary in a sentence after the following verbs:
1) The data says (that) we have arrived.
2) She’s afraid (that) if she let go, he would disappear again.
3) I’m sorry (that) I fell asleep.
4) He believed (that) she was dead.
Would appreciate it if anyone could help me out.
I’m so confused when “that” is necessary in a sentence after the following verbs:
1) The data says (that) we have arrived.
2) She’s afraid (that) if she let go, he would disappear again.
3) I’m sorry (that) I fell asleep.
4) He believed (that) she was dead.
Would appreciate it if anyone could help me out.
Top answer
Your editor seems rather arbitrary in his decisions. 'That' is optional in all 6 of your sentences. It can be omitted as long as the sense is clear.
- Your editor seems rather arbitrary in his decisions.
- 'That' is optional in all 6 of your sentences.
- It can be omitted as long as the sense is clear.
- '
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2 Answers
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Your editor seems rather arbitrary in his decisions. 'That' is optional in all 6 of your sentences. It can be omitted as long as the sense is clear. Strunk & White's example is classic:
'That' is optional in 'She knew (that) she could do it,' but it is required in 'He felt that his big nose, which was sunburnt, made him look ridiculous.'
'That' is optional in 'She knew (that) she could do it,' but it is required in 'He felt that his big nose, which was sunburnt, made him look ridiculous.'
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