The conjunction that is often left out. This is common in an informal style.
Indirect speech
That can be left out after common reporting verbs like said, thought and suggested.
- She said that she was busy. OR She said she was busy.
- She suggested that we should wait. OR She suggested we should wait.
- I thought you weren’t interested. OR I thought that you weren’t interested.
That cannot be dropped after verbs like reply and shout.
- She replied that she wasn’t interested. (NOT She replied she wasn’t interested.)
- He shouted that he was coming. (NOT He shouted he was coming.)
That cannot be dropped after nouns.
- He agreed with my opinion that we should start again. (NOT He agreed with my opinion we should start again.)
After adjectives
That can be left out after adjectives in some common expressions.
- I’m glad that you are safe. OR I’m glad you are safe.
- It’s funny that he hasn’t come. OR It’s funny he hasn’t come.
- I was surprised that she won the prize. OR I was surprised she won the prize.
Conjunctions
That can be left out after some common two-word conjunctions (e.g. so that, such…that, now that, provided that, considering that) in an informal style.
- Now (that) we have come so far, we may as well go all the way.
- Speak clearly so (that) we can hear you.
That as a relative pronoun
The relative pronoun that can be left out when it is the object in a relative clause.
- This is the woman that we were talking about. OR This is the woman we were talking about.
I think «rules» 1 and 2 are red herrings. They don’t have anything to do with whether that can be omitted.
But rule 3 usually does work. That is normally
not
omitted when it is a
subject
relative pronoun, but I think there are exceptions. That normally
can
be omitted when it is an
object
relative pronoun, provided it does not complicate understanding of the sentence.
When that is a subordinating conjunction, playing no role within its own clause, it can usually be omitted, but there are exceptions to this too.
Examples:
0. He thinks (that) he is entitled to be served like a king by his wife. [Better without that]
1. My data on newlywed couples indicate (that) more husbands are being transformed. [Better with that]
2. He may not emote (in) the same way (that) his wife does, but he will learn how to better connect with her emotionally. [Better without that]
3. As he does so, he’ll make choices that show he honors her. [Requires that]
4. This doesn’t mean (that) he is superior to other men in personality,…. [Probably better without that]
5. He has simply figured out something very important about being married (that) the others haven’t yet. [Best with that]
6. Research shows (that) a husband who can accept influence from his wife also tends to be an outstanding father. [Better with that]
7. The consequence is (that) no one will much care about him when he lives nor mourn him when he dies. [Best with that, without it use a colon]
Here are two of my own that show that sometimes we
must
omit the subordinating conjunction that:
Who do you really think (that) you are? [Best without that, but not wrong with]
Who do you think was calling you? [Wrong with that, because the subject of was is who]
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EM
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Articles
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Grammar
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Pronouns
Summary
Use the pronoun that to present information essential to the meaning of a sentence.
Example
- He needs a phone that works.
He doesn’t need just any phone: he needs one
that works
. That introduces an essential description.
As a relative pronoun, that connects a relative clause to the noun it describes.
Example
- This is the parcel that arrived this morning.
The noun (“the parcel”) is described by the relative clause introduced by that (“that arrived this morning”).
That is used as a relative pronoun in restrictive or defining clauses, which define something or narrow down a reference.
Example
- These are the tasks that must be completed today.
The that clause defines the tasks and narrows them down to those that must be completed today.
Don’t use that to present extra, optional information; use which instead.
Example
- Farley’s new phone, which/
thathe bought yesterday, has stopped working.We already know what is being referred to: Farley’s new phone. Use which instead of that to present the extra details enclosed in commas.
Don’t use a comma before that.
Example
- Incorrect: The blue whale is the largest animal, that ever lived.
Correct: The blue whale is the largest animal that ever lived.
Both that and who can refer to people, although who is considered more formal.
Example
- The woman who/that was sitting here left her bag behind.
That as a relative pronoun
Use the pronoun that to introduce a clause that defines and describes a person or a thing.
Examples
- The book that Maya wrote has just been published.
The clause “that Maya wrote” describes and defines “the book.”
- We would like to stay somewhere that is clean but not too expensive.
- She likes movies that make her think.
Such a clause, which describes a noun, is called a relative clause.
Example
- Lulu wants jeans that make her look taller.
The relative clause (“that make her look taller”) describes the noun (“jeans”).
Relative pronouns like that connect relative clauses to the noun phrases they describe.
Example
- Lulu wants jeans that make her look taller.
That acts as a pronoun by referring to the noun: Lulu wants jeans + the jeans make her look taller = Lulu wants jeans that make her look taller. It thus connects the description in the relative clause to the noun.
Other relative pronouns are which, who, whom, and whose. Like the word that, these pronouns connect relative clauses to nouns.
Examples
- Farley’s laptop, which he bought just yesterday, has stopped working.
- Lulu, who is an old friend of mine, is visiting from Spain.
- She is someone whom you can trust.
- This is the woman whose house we rented for our vacation.
In this article, we discuss how to use that correctly as a relative pronoun.
When to use that
Use that to present information essential to the meaning of a sentence. That introduces a clause that defines or identifies the person or thing being referred to.
Examples
- The laptop that I bought from you has stopped working.
Which laptop has stopped working? The one that I bought from you. The information introduced by that is essential to meaning. Without it, we would not know which laptop stopped working.
- The man that stole your car is an actor.
Which man is an actor? The one that stole your car.
- We sell shoes that are both stylish and comfortable.
The that clause defines the shoes.
- Maya wants to tell stories that matter.
- Eggs that are freshly laid sink in a bowl of water.
- The parcel that arrived this morning contained cheese.
This is a problem that can never be solved.
The pronoun that introduces defining clauses, which define or identify the person or thing they describe. Such clauses are also called restrictive because they narrow down the identity to the description provided.
Examples
- Cats that like cheese love pizza.
Which cats love pizza? Those
that like cheese
. The that clause defines the cats we are talking about (cats that like cheese) or restricts their identity (to those that like cheese).
- Shoes that look good are never comfortable.
Which shoes are never comfortable? Those
that look good
.
Use of commas
Don’t use a comma before the pronoun that. Commas set off information that is extra or optional. A that clause provides information essential to meaning: details that identify or define the person or thing being talked about. Don’t enclose such a clause in commas.
Examples
- Incorrect: This is a movie, that will make you rethink your priorities.
Don’t use a comma before that, since it introduces information that defines the movie and is essential to meaning.
Correct: This is a movie that will make you rethink your priorities.
- Incorrect: Food, that is tasty, can also be healthy.
The that clause tells us which food is being talked about. Don’t enclose it in commas.
Correct: Food that is tasty can also be healthy.
- Incorrect: I want to go somewhere, that is warm this time of year.
Correct: I want to go somewhere that is warm this time of year. - Incorrect: Is this the book, that won the award?
Correct: Is this the book that won the award? - Incorrect: This is a problem, that needs to be solved.
Correct: This is a problem that needs to be solved. - Incorrect: This is something, that really happened.
Correct: This is something that really happened.
That vs. which
That always introduces a clause essential to meaning: it tells us whom or what is being referred to. To provide extra or optional information enclosed in commas, use which instead.
Example
- Maya has finally found shoes that don’t hurt her feet.
Which shoes are we talking about? Those that don’t hurt her feet.
Maya’s new shoes, which don’t hurt her feet at all, are both stylish and comfortable.
It is already clear which shoes we are talking about: Maya’s new shoes. The pronoun which just presents extra information.
Use that in a defining or restrictive clause, and use which in non-defining, nonrestrictive clauses.
Examples
- Restrictive: I have a chair that swivels.
Nonrestrictive: This amazing chair, which not only swivels but also tilts, costs just twenty dollars. - Restrictive: Please read the reports that we published this morning.
Nonrestrictive: Please read the latest reports, which we published this morning.
Note that which can replace that in restrictive clauses (which help identify or define something).
Examples
- Restrictive: I need a chair that/which swivels.
- Restrictive: We tell stories that/which matter.
- Restrictive: I need a job that/which pays.
- Restrictive: We make chocolate that/which contains no calories.
However, that cannot replace which in nonrestrictive clauses (which provide extra information).
Examples
- Nonrestrictive: Poco bought me chocolate, which/
thatis interesting because he knows I’m allergic to cocoa. - Nonrestrictive: I love my new shoes, which/
thatare not just stylish but also comfortable.
Note
In formal American usage, that is generally preferred over which in restrictive clauses. In contrast, in British usage, which replaces that in formal usage.
That vs. who
That can be used in place of who or whom to refer to people. Using that is less formal than using who/whom.
Examples
- Lulu is the one who/that sent the invitations.
- Is she the one who/that lost her cape?
- The man who/that called us yesterday is now at the door.
- The people whom/that you meet are all strangers.
It is sometimes thought that that can be used only for things and not for people. This understanding is incorrect. That is often used in relative clauses to refer to people, especially to groups or to unknown persons.
Examples
- The guy that called me said I should change my password.
- This is the story about a family that couldn’t sleep.
- I need to call someone that knows how to fix this.
Tip
Who is preferred over that to refer to people in formal usage.
Examples
- Informal: Your feedback is shared with the senator that represents you.
Formal: Your feedback is shared with the senator who represents you. - Informal: Is this the person that you wish to find?
Formal: Is this the person whom you wish to find?
Omission of that
The pronoun that can sometimes be omitted without loss of meaning, but not always. When that is not the subject of the relative clause it introduces, it can be omitted.
Example
- The book (that) you wanted isn’t available.
The subject of the relative clause is you (“
you
wanted”), the word that appears before the verb wanted. The pronoun that is not the subject and can be omitted.
Correct: The book you wanted isn’t available.
Here are some more sentences in which that is not the subject of the relative clause and can be omitted. Note how the subject is the word that appears before the verb.
Examples
- This is a story (that) everyone should hear.
- That’s the man (that) I was telling you about.
- These are some of the questions (that) we still need answered.
- The report (that) the government published this morning is now available for download.
However, when that is itself the subject of the relative clause, it cannot be omitted.
Example
- This is the book that changed my life.
The subject of the relative clause is that (“
that
changed my life”). As the subject, it cannot be omitted.
Incorrect: This is the book changed my life.
In the following sentences, that is the subject of the relative clause and cannot be omitted.
Examples
- This is a story that is not only inspiring but also true.
- The man that stole my purse also stole my keys.
- These are questions that were never answered.
- The report that was published this morning is now available for download.
Examples from literature
Here are some examples from writing that show how that is used in defining or restrictive clauses to introduce information essential to meaning. Note how commas are not used before that.
Examples
The best books . . . are those that tell you what you know already.
I define science fiction as fiction in which things happen that are not possible today – that depend, for instance, on advanced space travel, time travel, the discovery of green monsters on other planets or galaxies, or that contain various technologies we have not yet developed.
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
— James Baldwin, The Cross of Redemption: Uncollected Writings (2010)
Even now, traces of its earlier condition are to be found in the old oak copses and irregular belts of timber that yet survive upon its slopes, and the hollow-trunked trees that shade so many of its pastures.
Of these death-white realms I formed an idea of my own: shadowy, like all the half-comprehended notions that float dim through children’s brains, but strangely impressive.
Ever so many books there were; but none that seemed exactly right to take to Evelyn Whitbread in her nursing home.
All three of your examples use a «that» which is a marker of clausal subordination: in your case, that «that» marks the beginning of a declarative content clause.
Sometimes that «that» marker is obligatory, sometimes optional, sometimes not allowed. There are some related rules on this, but there is no one simple general rule. It’s something that native English speakers just pick up while speaking and listening and reading.
Note: Your «that» is NOT a relative word or relative pronoun. (There is another «that» which is the marker of clausal subordination for that-relative clauses. Some grammars consider that the two markers to be, or could be considered to be, the same. In any case, the «that» marker for relative clauses has a different set of rules in regard to its presence or absence than the one marking declarative content clauses.)
One rather firm rule—well, somewhat a firm «rule»—is that if the declarative content clause is the subject of the main clause, then the «that» marker is obligatory. That is so the reader will get a heads-up to realize that the content clause’s subject is NOT the subject of the main clause, even though it is located at the beginning of the sentence.
There are a whole bunch of more similar rules, but they are all rather specific as to the syntactic situation that they are talking about. If the rules were simplified or made too general, then there would be too many so-called exceptions. Native English speakers know these rules implicitly (their ear does all the work), but they would usually be hard pressed to explain them—and if they attempted to explain them, their explanations would often be wrong and/or misleading.
Dear Helpers,
I don’t know when I can omit the word “that.” I looked for the word “that” in the index of my grammar book. I found it in different chapters.
Case ( A ) : Object of a verb:
The man (that) I saw told me to come back today.
This is the best hotel (that) I know.
Note:
I read “If it is the object of a verb, the “that” can be removed.”
Case ( B ) :The conditional:
I hope (that) I will succeed.
I hoped (that) I would succeed.
He thinks (that) they will give him a visa.
He thought (that) they would give him a visa.
Note:
“that” are in parentheses in the book.
Case ( C ) :Reported speech
He explained that he never ate meat.
He said he was waiting for Ann.
He said he had found a flat.
He said that Ann would be in Paris on Monday.
Peter said that they ought to widen the road.
Bill said he would be 21 the following day.
Case ( D) :Noun clauses introduced by that:
It occurred to me that he might be lying.
It appears that we have come on the wrong way.
It is a pity that he didn’t come earlier.
He was relieved that no one had been hurt.
I’m delighted that you can come.
I understand that in the cases A and B, the word “that” can be omitted. I don’t know about the cases C and D. Can I omit the «that?»
Thanks in advance….
Spoonfedbaby
Omitting That
The word that is used as a conjunction to connect a subordinate clause to a preceding verb. In this construction that is sometimes called the «expletive that.» Indeed, the word is often omitted to good effect, but the very fact of easy omission causes some editors to take out the red pen and strike out the conjunction that wherever it appears. In the following sentences, we can happily omit the that (or keep it, depending on how the sentence sounds to us):
Isabel knew [that] she was about to be fired.
She definitely felt [that] her fellow employees hadn’t supported her.
I hope [that] she doesn’t blame me.
Sometimes omitting the that creates a break in the flow of a sentence, a break that can be adequately bridged with the use of a comma:
The problem is, that production in her department has dropped.
Remember, that we didn’t have these problems before she started working here.
As a general rule, if the sentence feels just as good without the that, if no ambiguity results from its omission, if the sentence is more efficient or elegant without it, then we can safely omit the that.
Theodore Bernstein lists three conditions in which we should maintain the conjunction that:
When a time element intervenes between the verb and the clause: «The boss said yesterday that production in this department was down fifty percent.» (Notice the position of «yesterday.»)
When the verb of the clause is long delayed: «Our annual report revealed that some losses sustained by this department in the third quarter of last year were worse than previously thought.» (Notice the distance between the subject «losses» and its verb, «were.»)
When a second that can clear up who said or did what: «The CEO said that Isabel’s department was slacking off and that production dropped precipitously in the fourth quarter.» (Did the CEO say that production dropped or was the drop a result of what he said about Isabel’s department? The second that makes the sentence clear.)
hope this helps
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.
The omission of that provision is a consequence of the fact that, in the case of separation of part or parts of the territory, the predecessor State does not cease to exist.
Исключение этого положения обусловлено тем, что в случае отделения части или частей территории государство-предшественник не прекращает существовать.
Policies and programmes for addressing violence against women and girls were highlighted by several countries as a means of achieving Goal 3, despite the omission of that issue from the Goal.
Политические меры и программы по борьбе с насилием в отношении женщин и девочек были квалифицированы рядом стран в качестве средства достижения цели З, хотя эта задача и не фигурирует в формулировке цели.
She therefore regretted the absence from the Secretary-General’s proposed programme budget outline for the biennium 2000-2001 of any provision for the costs of known special missions; the omission of that provision was not consistent with sound budgetary planning and control.
Поэтому она сожалеет по поводу отсутствия в подготовленных Генеральным секретарем набросках предлагаемого бюджета по программам на двухгодичный период 2000-2001 годов ассигнований на покрытие расходов в связи с известными специальными миссиями; отсутствие таких ассигнований несовместимо с рациональным бюджетным планированием и контролем.
With regard to paragraph 1, some delegations questioned the omission of the requirement that the wrongful act actually be committed.
Что касается пункта 1, то некоторые делегации высказали сомнения относительно исключения требования о том, чтобы противоправное деяние было действительно совершено.
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The process is of non-migrating type i.e no further scope of levelling once cured, a care pre-treatment of fabric is a must to develop good and consistent wettability.
1) Are there a relative pronoun or any auxiliary verb omitted before ‘once cured’ in the given sentence?
2) What is the meaning of ‘once cured’ with respect to this given sentence?
3) In «is a must to develop good and ……..» the article ‘a’ is placed before the word ‘must’? Was it necessary to use this article in this case? If I omit this article, what differences of meaning of the sentence will appear?
Thanks for helping me.
Original Post
Gustavo, Co-ModeratorProfessor of Legal and Financial Translation
Hi, Nousher,
Are you sure the sentence is properly written?
There seems to be something wrong with «no further scope of levelling once cured.»
Also, I’d use the article in «…is of a non-migrating type.»
Finally, I think the noun phrase «a care pre-treatment of fabric» should be «a careful pre-treatment of fabric.»
Could you give us the source you have taken this sentence from?
quote:
The process is of non-migrating type i.e no further scope of levelling once cured, a care pre-treatment of fabric is a must to develop good and consistent wettability.
This is a terribly ungrammatical sentence, Nousher, at least the way you’ve reproduced it for us.
quote:
1) Are there a relative pronoun or any auxiliary verb omitted before ‘once cured’ in the given sentence?
Is there . . .? No.
quote:
2) What is the meaning of ‘once cured’ with respect to this given sentence?
«when it is cured»
quote:
3) In «is a must to develop good and ……..» the article ‘a’ is placed before the word ‘must’? Was it necessary to use this article in this case? If I omit this article, what differences of meaning of the sentence will appear?
«a must to . . .» = «a necessity for . . .»
You can’t omit the article:
is must to . . .
is ungrammatical.
Thanks David for your simple solution of my problems.
quote:
Thanks, David, for your simple solution to my problems.
Am I right in editing Nousher’s comment, David ? 
Well, Gamal, your editing of Nousher’s comment is correct.
Whether it is right depends on what you mean by «right.» 
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