Writing Tip: Delete the "thats"

Why make this change?

This is a tricky one. Like “just” or “really,” “that” is often unnecessary. My test is if the sentence is rendered nonsense with “that,” or if the meaning would be changed without it, then keep it. Otherwise, leave it out.

For example:

The President said (that) June 1st the new law will take effect.

Without “that,” the President said it on June 1st.

With “that,” the law takes effect June 1st.

You would include/omit in this case depending on what you want the sentence to mean...