1

Which is the formal one?

“Given I’m tired, I won’t be there.”

“Given that I am tired, I won’t be there.”

Can we omit the “that” after “given” or it won’t be formal anymore?

Other examples:

I don’t like you, given you’ve been mean lately. Or... I don’t like you, given that you’ve been mean lately.

*formal please

Thanks for the help!

Improve this question
3
  • Both of those example sentences should include that, but that's not always the case. (1) Given my tiredness, I won't be there. (2) I don't like you, given your meanness lately. It's use depends on context. (Note that neither of my two counterexamples would work if that were added.) I believe the general rule is it should not be present if it's immediately followed by a noun or noun phrase, but if it's followed by a verbal phrase or clause, then you need it.
    – Jason Bassford
    Jun 26, 2020 at 2:32
  • The general rule is indeed given followed by a noun/noun phrase, and given that followed by a clause. But the second usage can still legally omit that, exactly the same way "He said that it's true" or "He said it's true" are both correct.
    – Son Nguyen
    Jun 26, 2020 at 11:58
  • So, is this sentence correct : Given that I am tired, I won’t be there to the party tonight. And if I said : Given I am tired, I won’t be there to the party tonight. (It’s informal?) Thanks for your answers!
    – Nina
    Jun 26, 2020 at 13:14

0

Reset to default

You must log in to answer this question.

Browse other questions tagged .