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Leaving out that

We can often leave out the conjunction that, especially in an informal style.

Indirect speech: He said (that) …​

That can be left out informally after many common reporting verbs.

  • James said (that) he was feeling better.
  • I thought (that) you were in Ireland.
  • The waiter suggested (that) we should go home.

That cannot be dropped after certain verbs, especially verbs that are normally intransitive – e.g. reply, email, shout.

  • James replied that he was feeling better. (not James replied he was …)
  • She shouted that she was busy. (not She shouted she was busy.)

After adjectives: I’m glad you’re all right.​

We can leave out that in clauses after some common adjectives.

  • I’m glad (that) you’re all right.
  • It’s funny (that) he hasn’t written.
  • We were surprised (that) she came.

Not dropped after nouns​

That is not usually dropped after nouns.

  • I did not believe his claim that he was ill. (More natural than … his claim he was ill.)
  • He disagreed with Copernicus’ view that the earth went round the sun. (not … Copernicus’ view the earth went …)

Conjunctions​

That can be left out in an informal style in some common two-word conjunctions, such as so that, such … that, now that, providing that, provided that, supposing that, considering that, assuming that.

  • Come in quietly so (that) she doesn’t hear you.
  • I was having such a nice time (that) I didn’t want to leave.
  • The garden looks nice now (that) we’ve got some flowers out.
  • You can borrow it provided (that) you bring it back tomorrow.
  • Assuming (that) nobody gets lost, we’ll all meet again here at six o’clock.

Relative structures​

We can usually leave out the relative pronoun that when it is the object in a relative clause (see here).

  • Look! There are the people (that) we met in Brighton.
  • Do it the way (that) I showed you.