Login

some1 please tell me when to use 'that' in reported speech. in some sentences they are used while in some they are not. it is really confusing

Dear Student,
Given below is the answer to your question.

'That' is used in assertive sentences when you are making a statement.
For example - Mother said, "You must study well"
Mother said that I must study well.

In case it is a request, we use 'if'
Example - He asked me if I can drop him.

In case of probability we use whether.
Example - The teacher asked whether it would rain today.

I hope you find this answer helpful. Please post more questions on the forum to be assisted by our team. 
Thank you.

  • 1
View Full Answer
We usually use that when we report something and it depends on the grammatical frame of the sentence whether to use that or not
  • 1
Before double inverted commas and said
  • 0
You can use "that" in assertive sentence (statement)
  • 0
The answer to your question is :


 In a sentence where the word "said " is written , in reported speech it becomes "said that" whereas in other cases where words such as "asked, exclaimed etc." are used, "that" is NOT used.

For example :
1.She said , "He works in a bank."
Reported:She said that he worked in a bank . [Notice "that" is used as the word written is "Said"]

2.The captain said , " soldiers,march on ."
Reported:The captain commanded the soldiers to march on . [Notice "that" is not used as the word is "commanded"]

Hope it helps !
  • 1
What are you looking for?