Dropping prepositions before 'that + clause'

We can't use a preposition before (that) + clause.

Sometimes we can drop the preposition.

• She knew about the party.

• She knew that there was a party.
• NOT: She knew about that there was a party.

• I'm worried about the meeting.

• I'm worried that the meeting won't go well.
• NOT: I'm worried about that the meeting won't go well.

We can often drop the preposition after words that talk about thinking and communicating, as well as
many words that talk about our emotions.

1. Complain about / complain that

2. Decide on / decide that
3. Hear about / hear that
4. Know about / know that
5. Read about / read that
6. Tell (sb) about / tell (sb) that
7. Think about / think that
8. Warn about / warn that
9. Worry about / worry that
10. Write about / write that

We can choose to drop 'that' in any of these sentences.

• She heard that he had problems.

• She heard he had problems.

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Let's review! Put in 'that' or the preposition.

1. We complained ______________ the food.

2. They decided ______________ they wanted to stay.

3. Did you hear ______________ the queen is coming to the event?

4. Do you know ______________ cars?

5. He is reading ______________ American history.

6. Please tell Lucy ______________ it's time for lunch.

7. Are you planning to think ______________ the job offer?

8. He warned us ______________ the tide came in quickly.

9. My mother always worries ______________ we don't eat enough.

10. She wrote an article ______________ the economy.

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Answers

1. We complained about the food.

2. They decided that they wanted to stay.
3. Did you hear that the queen is coming to the event?
4. Do you know about cars?
5. He is reading about American history.
6. Please tell Lucy that it's time for lunch.
7. Are you planning to think about the job offer?
8. He warned us that the tide came in quickly.
9. My mother always worries that we don't eat enough.
10. She wrote an article about the economy.

3 © www.perfect-english-grammar.com
May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.