Micro-listening
That in reported speech: when to use it
Is the word that always optional in reported statements?
In reported speech, that works as a connecting conjunction. It links the reporting verb to the clause that carries the speaker's original message. It does not alter the facts or add a new meaning. Instead, it marks the exact point where the reported statement begins.
Key points
- Include that when a sentence has extra details or when a clear boundary prevents confusion.
- Feel free to leave that out in quick, casual statements.
- Always switch away from that when you report questions or commands, choosing question words, if, whether, or an infinitive phrase instead.
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
Examples
Marcus told me that our new manager arrived early.
Why it works: The conjunction that marks the start of the reported clause after the listener me.
3 more examples
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Sophie knows our morning train leaves from platform four.
The conjunction that is omitted here because the sentence is short and completely clear.
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The technician warned us that each laptop must remain connected during updates.
Keeping that helps the listener follow a longer reported statement with multiple details.
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Elena asked whether our meeting was still scheduled for noon.
Whether introduces this reported yes or no question instead of that.
Read the full guide
Introduce a reported statement with that
When you report what someone said, you can place that immediately after the reporting verb. The word that acts like a signpost. It signals to your listener that the next group of words contains the reported message rather than a direct object. This structure sounds polished, natural, and easy to follow in both conversation and workplace writing.
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Liam says that our flight leaves at six.
Why it works: That introduces the complete statement about the flight departure.
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The supervisor announced that every employee receives a bonus.
Why it works: That marks where the announcement begins after the reporting verb.
Your turn
Which sentence uses that correctly to report a simple statement?
Answer: Sarah mentioned that our client approved the proposal.
Show the answer
Answer: Sarah mentioned that our client approved the proposal.
The reporting verb mentioned introduces a full statement clause with the conjunction that.
Drop that in short everyday statements
In casual conversations, English speakers often drop that after common verbs like say, think, know, and hear. When the reported clause is short, omitting that makes your speech move faster without causing any confusion. Both versions are grammatically correct, so you can safely choose the shorter option whenever the message is simple.
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I think our meeting starts in ten minutes.
Why it works: Omitting that keeps the sentence quick and natural in casual speech.
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Nina says her brother lives in Chicago.
Why it works: The reported statement is short, so that is not necessary.
You can practise this again in Reported speech: rules and examples and How to Build Credibility: Practical Speech Tips.
Your turn
Why is it acceptable to say 'Tom says he needs help' without that?
Answer: The reported statement is short and its meaning is instantly clear.
Show the answer
Answer: The reported statement is short and its meaning is instantly clear.
Speakers often omit that after common verbs when the reported clause is brief and easy to understand.
Keep that when clauses have extra details
When a reported statement contains a long subject, modifying clauses, or several adjectives, keep that in place. Without that, your listener might initially hear the first noun as the direct object of the reporting verb. Adding that establishes a distinct boundary, allowing the listener to organize the incoming information smoothly.
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The architect explained that the older brick building on King Street requires repairs.
Why it works: Keeping that prevents the listener from hearing the building as the object of explained.
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The bulletin confirmed that all international travel requests need manager approval.
Why it works: The long noun phrase following that stays clearly organized.
Your turn
When is keeping that especially helpful to your reader or listener?
Answer: When the reported clause is long and has a complex subject.
Show the answer
Answer: When the reported clause is long and has a complex subject.
Using that provides a clear clause boundary so readers do not misinterpret the subject as an object.
Include the listener before the reported clause
Certain verbs require you to name the person receiving the information before you introduce the reported message. For instance, tell, remind, and convince take a personal object like me, us, or Rachel. You place that after the person. You can still omit that in quick speech, but the personal object must remain.
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David told me that our package was delivered to reception.
Why it works: The listener me appears right after told, followed by that.
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The assistant reminded us our parking permits expire on Friday.
Why it works: The listener us is required after reminded, while that is omitted.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the correct pattern with a personal object?
Answer: Karen told us that our shift starts at eight tomorrow morning.
Show the answer
Answer: Karen told us that our shift starts at eight tomorrow morning.
The verb tell requires a personal object like us before introducing the reported clause.
Use if or whether for yes or no questions
Never use that to report a question that expects a yes or no answer. Instead, introduce the reported question with if or whether. Notice that the reported question also shifts into statement word order, which means the subject comes before the verb, and you do not use a question mark.
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The security guard asked whether our office had an extra visitor badge.
Why it works: Whether introduces the reported yes or no question in place of that.
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Brian asked if the cafeteria was still open for lunch.
Why it works: If links the reporting verb asked to the reported condition.
Your turn
Which option correctly reports the question 'Is the library open today?'
Answer: He asked whether the library was open today.
Show the answer
Answer: He asked whether the library was open today.
Reported yes or no questions use whether or if, never that.
Keep question words for information questions
When reporting questions that begin with who, what, where, when, why, or how, do not add that. Keep the original question word as the connector between the reporting verb and the rest of the sentence. Put the subject before the verb, just like in an ordinary positive statement.
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The visitor asked where the nearest subway entrance was.
Why it works: Where acts as the connector, followed by normal statement word order.
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Maya inquired how our team completed the assignment so quickly.
Why it works: The question word how connects the reporting verb to the clause.
Your turn
How should you report the question 'Where does Paul work?'
Answer: She asked where Paul worked.
Show the answer
Answer: She asked where Paul worked.
Information questions keep the question word and adopt normal statement word order without that.
Report instructions with to and a base verb
When you report an instruction, command, or request, replace that with an infinitive phrase. Use a verb such as tell, ask, or order, name the person receiving the instruction, and add to plus the base verb. If the original instruction is negative, place not directly before to.
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The flight attendant told us to fasten our seatbelts.
Why it works: The command uses the pattern person plus to and base verb.
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The instructor asked everyone not to touch the glass display.
Why it works: A negative request places not before the infinitive to touch.
Your turn
How should you report the instruction 'Please shut the window'?
Answer: She asked me to shut the window.
Show the answer
Answer: She asked me to shut the window.
Reported requests and instructions use a person followed by to and the base verb.
Choose between using and omitting that
Choosing whether to include that often depends on rhythm and clarity. When writing formal reports or complex emails, keeping that helps your reader navigate sentences without hesitation. In spoken chats and brief text messages, dropping that sounds relaxed and natural. Read your sentence aloud to check whether the boundary feels smooth.
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The email confirmed that our warranty covers accidental water damage.
Why it works: Keeping that in workplace correspondence provides clear sentence structure.
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I heard our bus is arriving five minutes late.
Why it works: Dropping that creates a comfortable, natural conversational pace.
Your turn
What is a good guideline for deciding whether to include that?
Answer: Keep that when you need extra clarity, and drop it in simple casual speech.
Show the answer
Answer: Keep that when you need extra clarity, and drop it in simple casual speech.
Including that aids clarity in detailed writing, while omitting that suits quick everyday communication.
Questions about "That in reported speech: when to use it"
Is the word that always optional in reported statements?
No, that is not always optional. While you can omit it in short conversational sentences, you should keep that when the reported clause is long, when it contains several modifying phrases, or in formal writing where precision is required. Keeping that prevents the reader from temporarily mistaking the subject of the reported clause for the object of the reporting verb.
The manager explained that our quarterly earnings exceeded initial expectations.
I know she works downtown.
Can I use that when reporting a question?
No, you must not use that to introduce reported questions. If you are reporting a yes or no question, use if or whether. If you are reporting an information question, use the original question word such as where, why, or how. In both cases, the reported clause uses standard statement word order without question marks.
She asked if the conference room was available.
They asked where we parked our vehicle.
What is the difference between say and tell when using that?
The verb tell always requires a personal object naming who received the information before the reported statement. The verb say does not take a personal object directly; if you want to mention the listener after say, you must use the preposition to. Both verbs allow you to either include or omit that.
He told me that our flight was delayed.
He said to me that our flight was delayed.
Should I put a comma before that in reported speech?
No, do not place a comma before that when reporting a statement. The word that connects the reporting verb directly to its reported clause, forming one continuous sentence structure. Placing a comma there interrupts the grammatical connection and creates a punctuation error.
Lucas mentioned that our delivery arrived on time.
Before you go
Remember this
Include that when a sentence has extra details or when a clear boundary prevents confusion. Feel free to leave that out in quick, casual statements. Always switch away from that when you report questions or commands, choosing question words, if, whether, or an infinitive phrase instead.
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