--- title: When to Cut “That” from a Sentence—and When to Keep It description: When you’re looking to cut words, that is a good target. It’s often redundant and space-wasting. But before your CTRL+F to delete every instance of that to get under page limits, reconsider. image: https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/hand-1868015_1280.jpg --- #### WordRake is joining BriefCatch. Discover how BriefCatch Next builds on WordRake’s trusted editing technology — and what this means for WordRake customers. [Learn about the transition →](https://www.briefcatch.com/wordrake) [![logo](https://www.wordrake.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/logo.png?width=285&height=18&name=logo.png)](https://www.wordrake.com/) Edit for brevity & simplicity in Microsoft Word & Outlook - [Buy](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-improvement-software-buy) - [Software](https://www.wordrake.com/software) - [About](https://www.wordrake.com/editing-software-for-writing-professionals) - [Reviews](https://www.wordrake.com/reviews) - [Writing Tips](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/writing-tips-listing-page) - [Resources](https://www.wordrake.com/resources) - [Support](https://www.wordrake.com/editing-software-help) # When to Cut “That” from a Sentence—and When to Keep It ![](https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/hand-1868015_1280.jpg) When you’re looking to cut words, *that* is a good target. It’s often redundant and space-wasting. But before your CTRL+F to delete every instance of *that* to get under page limits, reconsider. *That* is actually a complex word with multiple meanings and grammatical possibilities, which means sometimes *that* is grammatically necessary and sometimes it just makes your sentence much clearer. To be a skilled editor, you must know what to cut and when to cut it. But if you’re sloppy or too aggressive, you’ll muddy your message and confuse your reader. So here’s how to apply the common advice to delete *that* whenever possible. ## Three Times to Keep *That* in Your Sentence There are many ways to properly use *that* in a sentence. Of the many options, only three require you to retain *that* for grammatical reasons. Most other uses of *that* may be deleted, but your final decision to delete should turn on clarity. The three *that* uses that must be maintained are: 1. *That* as a **demonstrative** pronoun or adjective 2. *That* as an **intensifying** adverb 3. *That* as a **relative** pronoun replacing a subject ### Keep Category #1: Demonstrative *That* When *that* functions as a demonstrative **adjective**, it’s often called a *determiner* or a *pointing word*. A determiner indicates a specific person, object, or idea that is distant from the speaker or writer. It’s the verbal equivalent of pointing your finger at something to direct the reader’s attention to it. *That* helps specify a noun and must be present with the noun to be grammatically correct. But when *that* functions as a demonstrative **pronoun**, it stands in for the noun—or even an entire idea or sentence. For both demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns, you must retain *that* to have a grammatically correct sentence (unless you revert to using the full noun or noun phrase). | **Demonstrative Adjective** | **Demonstrative Pronoun** | | --- | --- | | **That** dog is noisy. | Yes, I’ll try **that**. | | I like **that** idea. | You’ll never get away with **that**. | ### Keep Category #2: Intensifying *That* When *that* functions as an intensifying adverb used for emphasis, it signals an opinion. It shows comparisons to another person’s opinion. Deleting *that* would remove the sense of comparison, thus unintentionally transforming an opinion into a statement of fact. So while the resulting sentence may be grammatically correct, it would mean something different. | **Intensifier Creates Opinion Statement** | **Removing *That* Creates Fact Statement** | | --- | --- | | The movie wasn’t **that** bad. | The movie wasn’t bad. \> The movie was good. | | The homework wasn’t **that** hard. | The homework wasn’t hard. \> The homework was easy. | ### Keep Category #3: Relative *That* Finally, when *that* functions as a relative pronoun, it answers the question *which noun*? and makes it possible to combine two sentences referring to the same noun. Because *that* is a defining pronoun, it provides additional information about the noun it refers to. When the two sentences being combined have a direct object and a subject in common, *that* stands in for the subject. It’s necessary and cannot be deleted. | **Sentence 1** | **Sentence 2** | **Sentence Combining 1 and 2** | | --- | --- | --- | | I like the shirt. | **The shirt** is on the shelf. | I like the shirt **that** is on the shelf. | ## The easiest way for writers to create more precise and highly polished writing. [![Start your free trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3365575/35aee64f-a9b1-45c6-9951-2300864a7235.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3365575/35aee64f-a9b1-45c6-9951-2300864a7235) - No credit card needed to get started. - No more agonizing over your writing. ## Three Times to Remove *That* If It Won’t Cause Confusion When *that* functions as conjunction between a verb and a complete sentence, you can usually delete it or reword your sentence to avoid it. Whether the deletion harms clarity depends on a few factors, the most important of which is whether the verb in the sentence can take nouns and full sentences as direct objects. If you’re making a checklist, the three optional *that* uses are: 1. *That* when used with *it* as a **delayed subject** 2. *That* as a complementizer (**relative conjunction**) after a reporting verb 3. *That* as a **defining relative pronoun** when the noun being replaced is a direct object ### Delete Category #1: Delayed Subject *That (with It)* In spoken conversation, we sometimes delay information with a long opening clause starting with *it*, giving the speaker a chance to make sure you’re listening and emphasizing the adjective (feelings) around the information. But *it* isn’t a true subject driving any action in the sentence. So in writing, we should cut to the point. When you see a sentence that starts with *it* and has *that* in the middle, you can shrink it dramatically. Here’s how WordRake transforms these unnecessarily wordy sentences: It’s important that Bob **should** reconsider the job offer. It is important to keep in mind **Remember** that Bob likes pizza. So it is certain that, based on the initial reactions of military personnel, the company could lose all its military business. It is possible that **Maybe** an analysis of server weblogs will provide more information. It is also possible that birds could **Birds also might** experience fatal collisions with other human-made objects in the Project Area. Further, there is a possibility that the district court would **might** have to apply Argentine law to decide this case. It is likely that the **The** transit configuration in the area would **likely** stay the same. While scholars may have identified authorship, it was unlikely that they **likely** could **not** discern authorship based on writing style alone. It was apparent to him that **He thought** he and Lopez did not have good on-air chemistry. Why is it that **should** copyrights should last for a lifetime plus seventy years? Based on our analysis, it is important that DOE and DOT **should** work closely so that the attainable energy savings do not go untapped. They hadn’t meant to keep those things concealed; it was just that they **just** had other things to think about that night. It was not **Not** until 1844 **did** that the sect obtained **obtain** religious liberty in England. While the bishop did not fully brief the personal jurisdiction issue, it remains that the Complaint **still** does not allege any **alleges no** factual basis for Colorado to assert personal jurisdiction over the Defendant. ### Delete Category #2: Relative Conjunction *That* after Reporting Verbs When *that* starts a complete sentence after a verb, you can often omit it. This deletion is particularly helpful after **reporting verbs,** which are verbs that describe a speech act or a thought. Some common speech act verbs are *say*, *tell*, *ask*, *request*, *order*, *complain*, *promise*, *exclaim*, and *reply*. Some common verbs that reflect thoughts are *think*, *realize*, *conclude*, and *wonder*. Here’s how WordRake presents these editing opportunities: I assume that this position will be filled quickly. Now I realize that this is just another way that society ignores how our bodies change. Mr. Fisher explained that he believed that anyone who saw the above image should expect dangerous conditions. At your event, ensure that **make sure** someone is available to answer customer questions. Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a copyright in these works. So is it fair to say that you exhausted all avenues? Some of the young people felt that they had a good grasp of priority spending. Allison sent cards to respondents to remind them that they would be contacted again in April. The Plaintiff himself told us that he required time to consider whether he would sign. ### Category #2 Extra Credit: Cut the Reporting Clause Omitting *that* will save you one word, but try to go further to improve brevity and assertiveness. Once you’ve identified a reporting verb, ask yourself whether you need it at all. Reporting verbs are often unnecessary in writing because the speech act is obvious to the reader. And when you combine a reporting verb with a first person pronoun as the subject (*I* or *we*), then your writing comes off as indirect, avoidant, or insecure—so cut the entire clause. Here’s how WordRake simplifies the process by showing you where you can delete these weak clauses: Even under the “code is speech” part of the analysis, I think that the DMCA fails First Amendment scrutiny. I believe that Bob is a good candidate. The online community, I believe, reflects the values and procedures of the face-to-face community. I have no doubt that we **We** can cure cancer, and my bet is it will happen here in Ottawa. A lot of care has gone into this production, and I get the feeling that it’s still a work in progress. I have a strong feeling that this **This** will be the year of viral marketing. You can rest assured that we **We** are taking this matter seriously. What time do you think that it would **it** be most convenient to drop off the paperwork? If you have other test results, we ask that you **please** bring a copy with you. We have heard you say that you **You** want secure, reliable solutions. We saw that the **The** obstacles to degree attainment fell into three categories. Though not severe, it seems that enough light hits can add up to cause concussion-like damage. ### Delete Category #3: Direct Object *That* When *that* is a defining relative pronoun replacing a direct object, you can omit it. To break that down: a defining relative clause gives information necessary to define or identify a person or thing. A relative pronoun references a noun appearing earlier in the sentence, so *that* must refer to another noun. And when *that* refers to the object of the clause (the thing being acted upon), then you may omit it. If you’re not sure whether the relative pronoun is an object, check whether it is followed by another subject (the actor) and a verb; if it is, *that* is the object. So *that* as a relative pronoun can be omitted if it comes before another noun. This omission improves the flow of your writing while reducing word count. And if you’re really trying to cut words, try omitting the [copula verb](https://www.wordrake.com/blog/why-adjectives-drain-energy-from-weak-verbs) after it, too. Here’s how WordRake applies the *that*-as-direct-object advice to trim sentences: It’s a tradition that nobody likes as much as they say they do. The software helps anyone create an app that anyone can use. The contractors may have marketing materials that they can share with the campaign. Do you know of any action that was taken by anyone at the company to solve this problem? Water samples that are exposed to air will absorb some acidic carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid. The building was 610 feet tall, with a footprint that was 330 ft long and 140 ft wide. In some areas, people that are 18 years of age to 23 years of age are eligible for military service. A mortgage is a consumer credit transaction that is secured by the consumer’s house. The age distribution of the population can strongly influence the overall percentage of the population that is not in the labor force. The details of the case do not justify the enormous commitment of judicial time and resources that would inevitably be required if the case were to be tried here. ### Category #3 Extra Credit—Part A: Delete Redundant Nouns In the quest to make English function more like Latin, we’ve imported some constructions based on Latin syntax and the wordiness that comes along with it. But these wordy constructions are editing opportunities. Here, we have *that* as direct object and we have a redundant noun. Usually, we would delete *that* as a direct object, but we can make a more impactful edit (and retain nuance) by deleting the redundant noun instead. Here’s how WordRake applies that sophisticated editing advice: The distinguishing feature of the subsector is the fact that most industries’ production processes are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. The court should consider the fact that plaintiffs incurred the expense of obtaining financing although they could not be certain that the property would be sold to them. The basis for this allegation is the notion that because license fees are a cost of production, they somehow determine the final price paid by consumers for DVD players. Research from various social scientists emphasizes the idea that, when building emotional longevity in relationships, small intentional moments hold more weight than isolated extravagant gestures. ### Category #3 Extra Credit—Part B: Reword Phrases for Effectiveness When you’re editing to your reader’s experience, don’t stop with unnecessary word deletion. Try to transform any wordy sentences so they’re better overall. Here’s how WordRake goes beyond deleting *that* and creates a better sentence: If I have any homework that absolutely has to be handed in that day, I will begin it two days before. We have a **Our** policy that treats all employees equally. I do not believe that the **The** most important architects of the intellectual property clause shared **did not share** our view on patents and copyrights. You should be aware that **know** other pooled investment vehicles exist and may offer features that you desire. The **My** proposals that I have outlined would require a substantial financial contribution by the state. I agreed with the **their** notion that they’ve presented and I vote yes. Holland, indignant over the way that **how** Great Britain had tried to exclude Dutch traders, joined the Bourbons against their common foe. The farmer explained that the gentlemen that was doing the chicken coop work would be the one that would help her clean it out. It was during **During** this time that**,** Plaintiff recalled using the product. It is a **This** doctrine that gained traction after the war. There is a **A** formal agreement among the three towns that has been signed by the mayors of each town. There are a **A** variety of artificial airways that can be used to keep a pathway between the lungs and mouth/nose. There is nothing that **Nothing** can hold back information and communication technology. In this case, **Here,** the fact that the report was **report’s being** prepared by the Defendants’ “deputized” representatives made it even more untrustworthy. ## Conclusion It’s easy to generalize editing advice and wind up with poor results. As evidence: When you cut *that* indiscriminately, your chances of creating confusion are high. You must be precise. A strong understanding of grammar and syntax will help you make better editing decisions, but is it realistic to methodically interrogate every sentence to the degree shown here? Of course not! That’s where WordRake excels. Our linguists and subject matter experts incorporate this detailed knowledge and nuance into every editing algorithm available. Now you can have fast and reliable editing software and move on to the higher value editing work to improve your message and drive results. See for yourself. [Try WordRake for free for 7 days](https://www.wordrake.com/trial). ## About the Authors Ivy B. Grey is the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for WordRake. Before joining the team, she practiced bankruptcy law for ten years. In 2020, Ivy was recognized as an Influential Woman in Legal Tech by ILTA. She has also been recognized as a Fastcase 50 Honoree and included in the Women of Legal Tech list by the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center. Follow Ivy on Twitter [@IvyBGrey](https://twitter.com/IvyBGrey) or connect with her on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivybgrey/). Danielle Cosimo is a Language Usage Analyst for WordRake. Before joining the team, she was a translator and editor for non-native English speakers applying to degree programs in the United States and the UK. Danielle is formally trained in linguistics and has a certificate in computer programming. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. She applies her interdisciplinary knowledge to create WordRake’s editing algorithms. ## The easiest way for writers to create more precise and highly polished writing. [![Start your free trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3365575/35aee64f-a9b1-45c6-9951-2300864a7235.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3365575/35aee64f-a9b1-45c6-9951-2300864a7235) - No credit card needed to get started. - No more agonizing over your writing. 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