VOA慢速英语:The Mystery of the Disappearing "That"

clause – n. a part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb

predicate – n. grammar the part of a sentence that expresses what is said about the subject

function – v. to have a specified function, role, or purpose

dependent clause – n. grammar a clause that does not form a simple sentence by itself and that is connected to the main clause of a sentence

drop – v. to not include (someone or something)

characteristic – n. a special quality or trait that makes a person, thing, or group different from others