SECTION I That-clauses 1 FOLLOWING NOUNS We commonly use that-clauses to talk about facts or beliefs: ‘The idea that we don’t care is simply untrue. ‘The fact that he isn’t here shouldn't be too surprising ‘+ Here are nouns commonly followed by that- clauses: danger evidence idea impression principle risk experience view sign fact disadvantage news opinion possibility tradition 2 FOLLOWING ADJECTIVES ‘That-clauses are common after certain adjectives: It’s sad that they couldn’t stay longer. ‘+ We commonly begin these structures with It It was inevitable that they should find out eventually. + Here are adjectives commonly followed by that clauses: essential interesting likely sad inevitable true probable lucky important awful possible extraordinary 3 FOLLOWING REPORT VERBS AND NOUNS That-clauses are also common after report verbs (see Unit 13, Section 2) and related nouns: He explained that the company policy was about to change. His explanation was that the company policy was about to change. + After some report structures we use the subjunctive in the that-clause (see Unit 5, Section 1.1) suggested he remove all reference to alcohol in the article 4 THAT-CLAUSES AS SUBJECT OF THE SENTENCE In formal English, we can use that-clauses as subjects (without a preceding noun): That we don’t care is simply untrue, ‘That he wasn’t there didn’t come as a huge surprise. 166 + It’s more common to use the structure with I, that... 10’ simply untrue that we don’t care It didn't come as a huge surprise that he wasn’t there, 5 OMITTING THAT When we use a that-clause as an object, for example after report verbs, we often omit that: He promised (that) he would come. + With subject clauses beginning with It (see above), we normally only omit that after the common phrase It's a pity /shame. It's shame (that) you couldn't come tothe party. 6 RELATIVE CLAUSE OR NOUN CLAUSE? After nouns, we use that to introduce both relative clauses and noun clauses. There are important differences: + In the following example, the noun clause extends the meaning of the noun promise and tells us what itis. We can’t replace that with which He made a promise that he would return all the money. (= noun clause) + In the following example, we don't know exactly. what the promise was. In relative clauses we can usually replace that with which (see Unit 11, Overview): He made a promise that (or: which) he failed to keep. ( relative clause) ‘That hes gota eb ae (Ceeene =) Underline the noun clauses in these sentences. a The assumption that we'll do all the preparations annoys me. b I'm convinced he didn’t do it They said it was a waste of time. d Ie seems unlikely that they'll succeed the first time, € That he is here at all is a miracle,© in some of these sentences, bth the adjective and the noun are possible. In others only one will do, Cross out any options that cannot complete the sentence. a. I’ ridiculous a rdicule that he should be allowed to get away with i bb Tes factual a fact that she por colleagues’ backs up in nearly everything she dd. es egal /a rule that no-one under 18 should be involved in such social activities. 41s abound /an absundty that men are permitted ino such clubs and women are not © Its comfortable a comfort that you are herein our time of need f£Ie's inconvenient an inconvenience that we have to go up three flights of stairs for a bath © in cach group below, cross out any sentences that are not correct. 1a Paul gave the impression that he hates pop That he hates pop music is well known. He was talking about that he hates pop music. ‘The thing is that he hates pop music. I'm certain that he hates pop music. He explained that he hates pop music. The thing that he hates is pop music. He explained that he had been held up. She excused that she was late ‘That he was late was really inexcusable. His excuse that he got lost was accepted. It wasn't that surprising that she was late ‘The fact of the matter was they were both late, "The fact that neither was on time that was extremely annoying, © Rewrite each of the following sentences with that-clauses starting with the words given. Example: I's a complete waste of time, I think. T think chac i's a complete waste of time. People have completely distorted views about the European Union. That is my experience. ies b We may get there in time, It’s certainly possible. es © New members have to buy the first round. I's an old tradition, Its Tmar-ciauses d_ My brother completely forgot about my birthday, ‘which upset me. ‘The fact € William believes in ghosts, which I find ridiculous. Hind it £ ‘The new government would make radical changes ‘That is what people believed. It g They are not going. That was their answer. Their hh The company runs at a loss. That is the truth. ‘The truth © In the following passage, ten phrases have been taken out and listed below. Decide where they have been taken from and write the appropriate capital letter in the numbered gap. the fact that so many people or at least an absence of rain ivs a pity that people have stopped caring that people have put up with it that action will be taken it’s absurd H that good weather 1. the fact that this has not happened here J here we are ozmooeD> I sit here shivering in ful. This isthe month that should see us prancing along beaches and complaining othe oppressive heat. And (1), contemplating whether to tur the central heating on. No, thats not an option. Not in uly. Yet we have sutered day after day of eetzle mixed in with occasional thunderstorms. Its amazing hh tn any eves county I woud have ld to emonstations. People would have marched with posers demanding sunshine... (3. 18 (4) 8 tesimony to our resigned aude fo the weather? Can Ste te an (5)? Suey NOt AN YE, nn (6) || nave been grinning and bearing i these pas ew weeks suai it may be sv, How can any ation se back and acept the climate ts given yar in, year out? We need {mous passed... (7) be shared about more ever We need asuranes ee (Be - (9) that some people should goon ad nauseam sbout deforestation and global warming and thing ke tha... (10) tose same people dont take our biter coé Julys more seriously. can't stand another one lke this. 16s 7