he said that the gadget that

[JEic]

Is there a difference if I write or don't write "that" in this original sentence:

(a) He said that the gadget that he bought had some problems.

(b) He said that the gadget he bought had some problems. (in b, I want to leave out the second "that")

Some sentences sound wrong without a "that". Some sentences sound ok with or without "that".

 

[Tarheel]

Either way is OK.

 

[JEic]

(b) sounds better to me.

How to know when I need to use "that" and when I should not.

 

[teechar]

JEic, take a look at the explanation in the following link:

https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/defining-relative-clauses/

 

[5jj]

How to know when I need to use "that" and when I should not.

That is OK for the title of an article; it is not the way to ask a question.

Use How do I know when I need to use 'that' ... ?