Yes, you can often omit "that" in indirect speech, especially in informal situations.
Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, involves conveying what someone else said without using their exact words. It typically consists of a reporting clause (e.g., "She said," "He explained") followed by a that-clause detailing the reported statement. While "that" often introduces the reported statement, its inclusion is frequently optional.
When to Omit 'That'
Omitting "that" is a common practice that can make your speech and writing sound more natural and less formal.
- Informal Contexts: This is the most common scenario for omission. In everyday conversations, emails, or casual writing, dropping "that" is widely accepted and often preferred.
- Original: She said that she was busy.
- Omitted: She said she was busy.
- Common Reporting Verbs: With frequently used reporting verbs like say, think, know, believe, hope, feel, mean, expect, agree, and understand, "that" is very often omitted.
- Example: He thinks that it's going to rain. → He thinks it's going to rain.
- Example from reference: The pilot commented that the weather had been extremely bad as the plane came in to land. → The pilot commented the weather had been extremely bad as the plane came in to land.
- Conciseness: Omitting "that" can make sentences slightly more concise, which is beneficial in fast-paced communication.
When to Keep 'That'
While optional in many cases, there are situations where keeping "that" is advisable for clarity, formality, or grammatical correctness.
- Formal Writing: In academic papers, formal reports, or official documents, retaining "that" can lend a more formal and precise tone.
- Clarity and Avoiding Ambiguity: Sometimes, omitting "that" can lead to a momentary misreading or ambiguity, especially if the reported clause starts with a subject that could initially be mistaken for an object of the reporting verb.
- Less Clear (omitted): He declared his proposal was revolutionary. (Could be misread as "he declared his proposal" then a separate statement "was revolutionary.")
- Clearer (kept): He declared that his proposal was revolutionary.
- Following Certain Reporting Verbs: With some reporting verbs, especially those followed by an object (e.g., tell someone, remind someone, inform someone), "that" is usually retained.
- Example: She reminded him that the meeting was at 10 AM.
- Longer, More Complex Clauses: When the reported statement is particularly long or complex, "that" can help to clearly signal the beginning of the subordinate clause, making the sentence easier to parse.
- Emphasis: Sometimes, "that" is included for slight emphasis or to create a more deliberate rhythm in speech.
- After 'It' Clauses: When the reporting clause uses "it" as a preparatory subject (e.g., It is clear that..., It was understood that...), "that" is almost always necessary.
- Example: It is evident that the project needs more resources.
Examples of Omitting vs. Including 'That'
Here's a comparison to illustrate the usage:
| Situation | With 'That' (Often More Formal/Clear) | Without 'That' (Often More Informal/Concise) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Statement | She said that she would be late. | She said she would be late. |
| Common Belief | Many believe that the economy is improving. | Many believe the economy is improving. |
| Reporting an Idea | They announced that a new policy would be implemented. | They announced a new policy would be implemented. |
| Opinion | I think that this is a good idea. | I think this is a good idea. |
| Complex Clause | We recognized that the task was more challenging than expected. | We recognized the task was more challenging than expected. |
For further reading on reported speech and grammar rules, you can refer to reputable language resources like the Cambridge Dictionary or Oxford Learner's Dictionaries.
Ultimately, the choice to omit or include "that" depends on the context, desired level of formality, and the need for clarity. In most casual communication, omitting it is perfectly acceptable and common.
