Lesson 89 — Books & That-Clauses

Books, Reading & That-Clauses

In this lesson you describe and **recommend books**, talk about **how you read**, and use **that** after verbs of thinking and feeling.

• curl up · skim · e-books · audiobooks · read aloud
• best-seller · page-turner · cliff-hanger · fast read · trash
• I highly recommend it · borrow when you've done
• think/know/doubt + (that) + clause — that often dropped

• to curl up with a book — sit comfortably and read in peace
• How did you spend your weekend? — I just curled up with a book.
• to read an article online — I'm reading an article online.
• to skim through a newspaper — read quickly for the main idea
• What are you doing? — I'm skimming through the newspaper.
• to read e-books / electronic books — I always read e-books.
• I listen to audiobooks every day.
• to read a book aloud to someone — Could you please read that aloud?

• a best-seller — a popular book everyone is buying
• a page-turner — so interesting you want to keep reading
• Yeah, absolutely! It's a page-turner.
• a cliff-hanger — exciting, full of tension on every page
• an exciting book · a fast read (quick to finish)
• It's hard to follow = hard to understand
• It's trash. = It's worthless.

• A: Have you read anything interesting recently?
• B: Actually, I'm reading a thriller called Don't Close Your Eyes.
• A: I've never heard of that one. Is it any good?
• B: Oh, I think it's a great book. And it's a cliff-hanger. I highly recommend it.
• A: Well, do you think I could borrow it when you've done?
• B: Sure. I doubt I'll finish it before next week, though.
• A: No problem. I can wait.

After verbs like **know, think, believe, remember, agree, feel, suppose, understand, doubt** you can add **that** (که) before a clause. In speech and writing, **that** is often omitted.

• I didn't know (that) he wrote this book.
• I think (that) Stephen King's novels are really interesting.
• I think (that) you should go with her.
• I'm really disappointed (that) this happened.
• I'm really happy (that) you're here. / sad (that) you're leaving.
• I remember (that) he was late.
• I'm surprised (that) you don't know about this.
• I agree (that) what he said was true. → I agree she was right.
• I doubt (that) I'll finish it before next week. → I doubt she'll be here soon.

• I suppose (that) you're right! / I suppose it's really difficult.
• I understand (that) you don't want to attend the class.
• I know (that) you weren't there.
• I'm sure (that) you will be successful.
• I'm sure he will be here soon.