an e-mail that the book was overdue

[Phlebas the Phoenician]

I see and hear sentences like the ones below fairly regularly, and part of me is OK with them:

A. He sent me a text message that he was on his way.
B. I received an e-mail that the book was overdue.
C. I got a call that school was cancelled.

Another part of me thinks that after "text message," "e-mail," or "call" there should be words like "to the effect that," "explaining that," or "letting me know that," rather than simply "that."

What do you think? Are the example sentences above fine as they are, or do they need to be tweaked?

Thanks!
Phlebas

 

[5jj]

The simple 'that' seems OK to me.

 

[emsr2d2]

It's OK although I wouldn't use them. I'd add "to say" before "that" in each one.

 

[jutfrank]

I consider them poor at the very best, if not plain wrong.

The part of you that's OK with them ought to be exorcised forthwith.