Use of the word "that"

[Maya_Nyssa]

I omitted the word "that" from this phrase because I felt it unnecessary:

"when he informed them they abducted the wrong person."

What is the explanation for why this phrase is correct?

"when he informed them that they abducted the wrong person."

[EvaDar]

I can't comment with certainty, because I don't have the full sentence. But the reason you would need the word that is as follows: In your example, "when he informed them they abducted the wrong person," it could be interpreted to mean "when he informed them, they abducted the wrong person." In other words, at the time when he informed them, that was when they abducted the wrong person. What you really mean is "when he informed them that they abducted the wrong person." Inserting that clears up any misunderstanding.

[Maya_Nyssa]

I can't comment with certainty, because I don't have the full sentence. But the reason you would need the word that is as follows: In your example, "when he informed them they abducted the wrong person," it could be interpreted to mean "when he informed them, they abducted the wrong person." In other words, at the time when he informed them, that was when they abducted the wrong person. What you really mean is "when he informed them that they abducted the wrong person." Inserting that clears up any misunderstanding.

That makes sense. Thank you!

[rssllue]

I can't comment with certainty, because I don't have the full sentence. But the reason you would need the word that is as follows: In your example, "when he informed them they abducted the wrong person," it could be interpreted to mean "when he informed them, they abducted the wrong person." In other words, at the time when he informed them, that was when they abducted the wrong person. What you really mean is "when he informed them that they abducted the wrong person." Inserting that clears up any misunderstanding.

Well said!