Fill in the blanks
1. Samuel ……………………… he was quitting.
That can be omitted after common reporting verbs.
2. I ………………………. you are right.
That can be omitted after common reporting verbs.
3. The dentist ……………………….. I should change my toothbrush.
That can be omitted after common reporting verbs.
4. Rahul ………………………. he was not interested in the offer.
That cannot be dropped after replied.
5. She ………………………… she was quitting.
That cannot be dropped after shout.
6. I agree with the ……………………. education should be free for all.
That cannot be dropped after nouns.
7. I’m ……………………….. you are safe.
Some adjectives can be followed by that-clauses. That can be left out after common adjectives.
8. We were …………………………… he lost.
That can be dropped after common adjectives.
9. Come in quietly ……………………….. the child does not wake up.
That can be left out in some common two-word conjunctions.
10. You can borrow my car ……………………….. you bring it back before midnight.
That can be left out after provided.
11. This is the girl ………………………. met in the store.
When that is the object of the relative clause it can be left out.
12. We were having such a nice time …………………….. extended the holiday by another two days.
That can be left from such …. that.
Answers
1. Samuel said / said that he was quitting.
2. I think / think that you are right.
3. The dentist suggested / suggested that I should change my toothbrush.
4. Rahul replied that he was not interested in the offer.
5. She shouted that she was quitting.
6. I agree with the opinion that education should be free for all.
7. I’m glad / glad that you are safe.
8. We were surprised / surprised that he lost.
9. Come in quietly so / so that the child does not wake up.
10. You can borrow my car provided / provided that you bring it back before midnight.
11. This is the girl we / that we met in the store.
12. We were having such a nice time we / that we extended the holiday by another two days.
