Reported Speech

[learning54]

Hi Teachers,

Could these be good explanations?
To report answers the conjunction ‘that’ introduces and connects the noun clause with the main clause.
e.g. Coke answered (the old lady) that they were just his work clothes.
Noun clause or Depedent Clause, 'that they were just his work clothes'.
Main Clause or Independent Clause. 'Coke answered (the old lady)'.

By the way, even though most 'that's' can be optional, here with this verb, answered, it looks like it is necessary, isn't it?


Thanks in advance

[5jj]

We normally 'answer that', not 'answer a person that'. If it is an answer, it is clear who it is addressed to.

'That' is usually not omitted with 'answer'.

Incidentally, there are twice as many sentences with 'replied that' in COCA than with 'answered that'.

[learning54]

We normally 'answer that', not 'answer a person that'. If it is an answer, it is clear who it is addressed to.

'That' is usually not omitted with 'answer'.

Incidentally, there are twice as many sentences with 'replied that' in COCA than with 'answered that'.

Hi fivejedjon,
Thank you so much for your reply.
"If it is an answer, it is clear who it is addressed to." Yo are right but the books say that it is optional. Once more I'm in front of 'Real English' and books.

PS. Do you agree with this explanation?
To report answers the conjunction ‘that’ introduces and connects the noun clause with the main clause.

Thanks Again