[Grammar] Is the use of "that" necessary in "Change the key (that) is used..." ?

[Zoli]

Is the use of "that" necessary in "Change the key (that) is used..." ?

1. Change the key used for encryption.
2. Change the key that is used for encryption.

Context: I'm talking about a computer software which uses a key to encrypt data, a PGP key to be more precise.

 

[GoesStation]

Re: Is the use of "that" necessary in "Change the key (that) is used..." ?

Both sentences are possible. A native speaker would say Change the encryption key.

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Is the use of "that" necessary in "Change the key (that) is used..." ?

1. Change the key used for encryption.
2. Change the key that is used for encryption.

Context: I'm talking about [STRIKE]a[/STRIKE] (no article here) computer software [STRIKE]which[/STRIKE] that uses a key to encrypt data - a PGP key to be more precise.

Note my corrections to the sentence about context. You can use either the uncountable "computer software" or the countable "a piece of computer software".

 

[tzfujimino]

Re: Is the use of "that" necessary in "Change the key (that) is used..." ?

If you wish to use the construction in #2, you need to say/write "… that is …".


Change the key that is used for encryption.:tick:
Change the key used for encryption.:tick:
Change the key is used for encryption.:cross: