[Grammar] the question about when to skip "that" before a clause

[georgelee12071981]

I have a question about when to skip "that" before a clause.
The following sentence is an example from an old news magazine about Israel.

It's unlikely Netanyahu will grant any concessions.

I think that there should be "that" before the clause "Netanyahu will grant any concessions".

For native English users,
1. what is the grammar rule to skip "that" before a clause?
2. I've read some books which say that I can skip "that" when the clause is the object of a verb, like "I think (that).....".

Thank you

 

[tzfujimino]

I have a question about when to skip "that" before a clause.
The following sentence is an example from an old news magazine about Israel.

It's unlikely Netanyahu will grant any concessions.

I think that there should be "that" before the clause "Netanyahu will grant any concessions".

For native English users,
1. what is the grammar rule to skip "that" before a clause?
2. I've read some books which say that I can skip "that" when the clause is the object of a verb, like "I think (that).....".

Thank you

Hello, georgelee12071981.
Welcome to UsingEnglish.com.:-D

For your reference:
that - Definition and pronunciation | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com
That - Definition for English-Language Learners from Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

I hope they will be of some assistance to you.
(I'm sorry I'm not a native speaker.)

 

[MikeNewYork]

I have a question about when to skip "that" before a clause.
The following sentence is an example from an old news magazine about Israel.

It's unlikely Netanyahu will grant any concessions.

I think that there should be "that" before the clause "Netanyahu will grant any concessions".

For native English users,
1. what is the grammar rule to skip "that" before a clause?
2. I've read some books which say that I can skip "that" when the clause is the object of a verb, like "I think (that).....".

Thank you

There are two types of "that" that can be omitted in some cases. The "rule" you mention in #2 is about relative pronouns that introduce relative clauses. You cannot omit "that" if it is the subject of the relative clause. In your sentence, "that" is a conjunction, not a relative pronoun. There are many cases in which such a conjunction can be omitted.

See more here: BBC World Service | Learning English | Learn it

 

[georgelee12071981]

Thank you for your answers.

 

[Rover_KE]

Your appreciation is welcome, George, but there is no need to write a new post to say thank you. Simply click the Like button on any posts you find helpful. It means that we don't have to open the thread again to read your new post and then find that it doesn't include any new information or an additional question.​