Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 14:45     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, there's no hard and fast rule. Sometimes it's required, sometimes it's optional. Context matters.

In your example, it's optional, but I would keep it in.

If you are editing something with a group, it's probably in a work context, so I'd err on the side of being more formal and leaving it in.


Detailed explanation here: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/when-to-delete-that/


Understood.

Fwiw, I’ve been listening to people debate this so much that I can’t decide where I land on the matter.

Honestly, the inclusion of “that” when it’s optional rather than required almost seems less formal/less polished when reading aloud. It sounds more technical than refined.


Including "that" almost makes it more detached, less personal, but I do think it is clearer. Otherwise readers might stop at "I recognize you" and then have the end of the sentence feel cumbersome.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 14:30     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

They're both grammatically correct. Stylistic choices depend on context.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 14:21     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, there's no hard and fast rule. Sometimes it's required, sometimes it's optional. Context matters.

In your example, it's optional, but I would keep it in.

If you are editing something with a group, it's probably in a work context, so I'd err on the side of being more formal and leaving it in.


Detailed explanation here: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/when-to-delete-that/


Understood.

Fwiw, I’ve been listening to people debate this so much that I can’t decide where I land on the matter.

Honestly, the inclusion of “that” when it’s optional rather than required almost seems less formal/less polished when reading aloud. It sounds more technical than refined.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 10:26     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

Anonymous wrote:If it sounds right without it, I think it's best to not use too many. I take it on a sentence by sentence basis. It does bother me when people use "that" instead of "who" when a person is involved. Ex: Susan is a mom who (not "that") spends a lot of time with her kids.

Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 10:17     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

GRAMMTIK MACHT FREI
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 10:11     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

Anonymous wrote:If it sounds right without it, I think it's best to not use too many. I take it on a sentence by sentence basis. It does bother me when people use "that" instead of "who" when a person is involved. Ex: Susan is a mom who (not "that") spends a lot of time with her kids.


Yep. It happens naturally but yes 'who' for person.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:55     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

Unfortunately, there's no hard and fast rule. Sometimes it's required, sometimes it's optional. Context matters.

In your example, it's optional, but I would keep it in.

If you are editing something with a group, it's probably in a work context, so I'd err on the side of being more formal and leaving it in.


Detailed explanation here: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/when-to-delete-that/
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:45     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

American English often adds unnecessary words to sentences. The first sentence is in American English. The second sentence is British English. Both are correct. That isn't necessary, but you can use it in this sentence.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:41     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

I would use “that” in your example, but it’s not wrong without it.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:39     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

Google says you can opt to drop “that” after a verb.

So “I recognize you are frustrated” seemingly would be correct. Seems like it would be optional.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:29     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

that is a conjunction connecting 2 clauses in #1
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:27     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

If it sounds right without it, I think it's best to not use too many. I take it on a sentence by sentence basis. It does bother me when people use "that" instead of "who" when a person is involved. Ex: Susan is a mom who (not "that") spends a lot of time with her kids.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:27     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

Anonymous wrote:I recognize that you are frustrated.

versus

I recognize you. Do you live on the 5th floor?


In example #1, "you" is the subject of a clause. I think "that" is needed to connect to the clause

in example #2, you is the direct object
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:23     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

I recognize that you are frustrated.

versus

I recognize you. Do you live on the 5th floor?
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 09:20     Subject: Grammar question re: “that”

When do you use the word “that” and when should you delete it?

“I recognize that you are frustrated.”

“I recognize you are frustrated.”

Is it a stylistic choice or a hard and fast rule?

I’m editing something with a group and people are going back and forth deleting and reinserting the word.