He said that he was going to the park. vs He said he was going to the park

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. The inclusion of 'that' in the first phrase is optional and does not change the meaning of the sentence. Both versions convey the same message effectively.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 852 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"He said that he was going to the park."

This phrase is correct and commonly used when reporting someone's speech or thoughts. The word 'that' is optional and can be included or omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Examples:

She told me that she would be late.
He mentioned that he had already finished his homework.
They explained that they were not able to attend the meeting.
The teacher said that the exam would be postponed.
I heard that they were moving to a new house.

Show examples from the web [+]

He said he was going to the park to play.
My roommate took his skateboard out, said he was going to the park for a couple hours.
He was wearing shorts, which probably means he knew he was going to the park.
He said that he was going to bring us transparency and a balanced economy.
And he said that he was going to do an apartment block next to a parking structure.
He said that he was going to bring us peace in the Middle East.
He will better his lot after today... because when Miller took office... he said that he was going to get the miner what he was entitled to.
That and what he meant when he said that he was going to bury it under this big capital C.
He said that he was going to divorce his wife and that I would work as part of his outreach for at-risk kids.
He said that he was going to not have, have lobbyists.
Arkel said that he was going to round up the villagers.
George said that he was going to start dating serious contenders.
You know, he always said that he was going to be an artist.
Abbas said that he was going to the UN because after all these decades there is no real peace proposal.
Raye said that he was going to go to Shinjuku.
He said that he was sorry and that he was going to look for directions.
And he said that he was going to do an apartment block next to a parking structure.
Bob said that he was going to cover for me, and he's a regional manager, so I figured the place was in good hands.
Yesterday the President said that he was going to examine whether it was in fact possible for the IND/DEM Group to ask for roll-call votes.
He just said that he was going away.

Alternatives:

he said he was going to the park
she told me she would be late
he mentioned he had already finished his homework
they explained they were not able to attend the meeting
the teacher said the exam would be postponed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"He said he was going to the park"

This phrase is correct and commonly used when reporting someone's speech or thoughts. The word 'that' is optional and can be included or omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Examples:

She told me she would be late.
He mentioned he had already finished his homework.
They explained they were not able to attend the meeting.
The teacher said the exam would be postponed.
I heard they were moving to a new house.

Show examples from the web [+]

He said he was going to the park to play.
My roommate took his skateboard out, said he was going to the park for a couple hours.
He said he was going to exorcise his demons.
He said he was going to work.
He said he was going to tell his mother.
He said he was going to San Francisco for the weekend.
He said he was going to leave me.
He said he was going to a disco.
He said he was going to see Johnny.
He said he was going to a business meeting.
He said he was going to get headphones.
He said he was going to pay people back.
He said he was going to clean up government.
He said he was going to work for the environment.
He said he was going to bomb the mosque.
He said he was going to meet you.
He said he was going to kill coach for embarrassing him like that.
He said he was going to do something for you.
He said he was going to the Beau Monde Hotel.
He said he was going to be gone three weeks.

Alternatives:

he said that he was going to the park
she told me that she would be late
he mentioned that he had already finished his homework
they explained that they were not able to attend the meeting
the teacher said that the exam would be postponed

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He said that he was going to the park. vs He said he was going to the park