0
Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

When 'that' optional?

Hi,
Do you some tips to help me distinguish when the word 'that' is optional or not?

I wrote the following sentence in a thread named "TENSES AFTER 'JUST FOUND OUT'" and it was noted as need to have the word 'that' after 'found'.

I just found out Jane is pregnant.

Are they optional?

I thought (that?) he was smart.
I mean (that?) he is as good a person as you will ever likely to meet.

  

Top answer

Anonymous it was noted as need to have the word 'that' after 'found'. No. It's optional.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous it was noted as need to have the word 'that' after 'found'.
  • No.
  • It's optional.
  • Perhaps it was just that person's preference to include that .
  • It does sound a bit more polished to use that , but it is not required.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
Anonymousit was noted as need to have the word 'that' after 'found'.
No. It's optional. Perhaps it was just that person's preference to include that. It does sound a bit more polished to use that, but it is not required.
CJ
0
0
Thank you. Then, again, I think to form a noun clause, which I feel is needed here, the word 'that' seem mandatory. Don't you think so? Why is it not necessary if you think that way?

I just found out (that?) Jane is pregnant.
I thought (that?) he was smart.
I mean (that?) he is as good a person as you will ever likely to meet.

0
0
Anonymousthe word 'that' seems mandatory. Don't you think so?
No. I don't think so. In fact, I know that it is optional.
AnonymousWhy is it not necessary if you think that way?
There is no reason -- except that people leave out 'that' when they feel like it.
0

Related Questions