MGMAT SC say that one should keep the "that" after

Question

MGMAT SC say that one should keep the "that" after a reporting verb. But what should one do with verbs like "claims" and "declare" -- they're said to be better without the "that".

Leo claims vanilla is the best ice cream flavor.

or

Leo claims THAT vanilla is the best ice cream flavor.

kissthegmat · Answer

Welcome to the GMATCLUB, anandkapur!

Let me explain a little bit. I think MGMAT SC has clearly explained that you need to put THAT after reporting verbs. Claimed That and Declared That are better options.

Leo claims vanilla is the best ice cream flavor.

One problem with above sentence is that one may gets confused for an instance that Leo claims vanilla
i.e. the sentence may appear as if Leo has won the claim over vanilla when one wants to say something else.

say that anandkapur you used this construction, but I doubt whether this is right construction or not, as MGMAT says you don't need to put THAT after verb say. May be I'm missing something, I hope other members will help me with this confusion.

Anyhow, welcome again in the world of GMATCLUB!

Hope to see you around.

anandkapur

MGMAT SC say that one should keep the "that" after a reporting verb. But what should one do with verbs like "claims" and "declare" -- they're said to be better without the "that".

Leo claims vanilla is the best ice cream flavor.

or

Leo claims THAT vanilla is the best ice cream flavor.

Hope to see you around.

utin · Answer

[/quote

Didn't get it clear still!!!

kissthegmat · Answer

I think, someone will come fwd to explain this.

anandkapur · Answer

The newest ed of the MGMAT SC guide clarifies this. Reporting verbs must be followed with THAT.

BKimball · Answer

Good discussion here...thanks for bringing up this issue. The first thing to explain here is what a "reporting verb" is. Essentially, it's a verb that reports or otherwise includes a thought or belief. Examples of "reporting verbs" are indicate, claim, announce, or report.

When you are reporting a clause (includes a verb), you need "that":

"The students reported that they felt great."
"The lab results indicate that your theory is correct."
"The King claimed that he had turned lead into gold."

When you don't have a verb following the word, you don't need "that":

"I reported my friend for cheating."
"I indicated disbelief."
"The defendant claimed innocence despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary."

Does this help clear up the issue?

kissthegmat · Answer

Thanks BKimball. Yes, you made it clear. Thanks again!

hirendhanak · Answer

Let me post something which may be helpful with respect to usage of THAT

When to Omit “that”

•You can omit “that” in a relative clause when the subject of the clause is different from the word or phrase the clause refers to. 
Thus, you can say either 
The book that I was reading (or) 
The book I was reading

•You can also omit “that” when it introduces a subordinate clause 
Ex: I think we should try again.

•You should NOT omit “that”, however, when the subordinate clause begins with an adverbial phrase or anything other than the subject:
Ex: She said that under no circumstances would she allow us to skip the meeting. 
 The book argues that eventually the housing supply will increase. 
This last sentence would be ambiguous if that were omitted, since the adverb eventually could then be construed as modifying either argues or will increase.

hirendhanak · Answer

When you don't have a verb following the  WORD , you don't need "that"

Which word this term WORD refer to ?
Do you mean the verb in above sentence as a fresh verb once reporting word is used ?

NicoleJaneway · Answer

Do you need "that" following the verb "say"?

- He says that he feels great.
- He says he feels great.

Can both be correct?

NicoleJaneway · Answer

Do you need "that" after "says"?

daagh · Answer

Nicole wrote

As far as I see, when 'that' is a relative pronoun prefaced by a noun that it touches and acts as the subject of the relative clause that follows, then one cannot dispense with the connector.

On the contrary, when a verb is preceded by the connector 'that', the following clause is just a part of the predicate and perhaps an object. In such cases, there is no need to carry the connector.

In the given cases, I feel that there is no noun before the word. Thereof, one can dispense with it or if you do not mind verbosity, you may keep it. However, I would rather prefer to dispense with it

Radheya · Answer

Hello Daagh, though I have understood what you meant there, but according to  BKimball  's explanation, usage of "that" is a must as we are reporting a clause. 
He says  that   He Feels Great.

Can you explain this a bit more? Is it a hard and fast rule?

Kind Regards!

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  aalekhoza , I would consider the usage of  that  more a matter of  preference  than  necessity .

For example, following is a correct official question:

Trans World Entertainment Corporation, which owns the Record Town and Saturday Matinee retail chains, announced  it was closing up to one fourth of its stores because of poor sales .

Notice that the  reporting verb  ( announced ) is not followed by  that .

MGMAT SC say that one should keep the "that" after

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