that-clauses

that as a connector

That is a conjunction with little real meaning. It simply functions as a connector – it shows that a clause forms part of a larger sentence. Compare:

• I understood. He was innocent. (two separate sentences)
• I understood that he was innocent. (The clause he was innocent has become the object of the verb in the larger sentence.)

that-clauses in sentences

A that-clause can be the subject of a sentence. (This is very formal and unusual.)

• That she should forget me so quickly was rather a shock.

It can be a complement after be.

• The main thing is that you’re happy.

Many verbs can have that-clauses as objects.

• We knew that the next day would be difficult.
• I regretted that I was not going to be at the meeting.

And many nouns and adjectives can be followed by that-clauses.

• I admire your belief that you are always right.
• The Minister is anxious that nothing should get into the papers.

the fact that …

It is unusual for that-clauses to stand alone as subjects. They are more often introduced by the expression the fact.

• The fact that she was foreign made it difficult for her to get a job. (not That she was foreign made it difficult …)
• The fact that Simon had disappeared didn’t seem to worry anybody. (More natural than That Simon had disappeared didn’t …)

The fact also introduces that-clauses after prepositions (that-clauses cannot follow prepositions directly).

• The judge paid no attention to the fact that she had just lost her husband. (not … paid no attention to that she had just …)
• He held her completely responsible for the fact that she took food without paying for it. (not … responsible for that she took …)
• In spite of the fact that she had three small children, he sent her to prison for six months. (not In spite of that she had …)

note

For cases when prepositions are dropped before that-clauses, (see here).

Preparatory it

It is often used as a preparatory subject or object for a that-clause ( (see here).

• It surprised me that he was still in bed. (More natural than That he was still in bed surprised me.)
• She made it clear that she was not interested. (not She made that she was not interested clear.)

note

For reasons why that-clauses are often moved to the ends of sentences, (see here).

that-clauses after verbs, nouns and adjectives

Some verbs, nouns or adjectives can be followed by that-clauses; some cannot. Compare:

• I hope that you will have a wonderful time.
  I want you to have a wonderful time. (not I want that you’ll have …)
• I understood his wish that we should be there.
  I understood the importance of our being there. (not … the importance that we should be there.)
• It’s essential that you visit the art museum.
  It’s worth your visiting the art museum. (not It’s worth that you visit …)

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to decide which nouns, verbs or adjectives can be followed by that-clauses. It is best to check in a good dictionary.

Should in that-clauses: It’s important that … should

In formal British English, should can be used in that-clauses after adjectives and nouns expressing the importance of an action (e.g. important, necessary, vital, essential, eager, anxious, concerned, wish).

• It’s important that somebody should talk to the police.
• Is it necessary that my uncle should be informed?
• I’m anxious that nobody should be hurt.
• It is his wish that the money should be given to charity.

This also happens after some verbs expressing similar ideas, especially in sentences about the past.

• He insisted that the contract should be read aloud.
• I recommended that she should reduce her expenditure.

In a less formal style, other structures are preferred.

• It’s important that she talks to me when she gets here.
• Was it necessary to tell my uncle?

In American English, this use of should is unusual; subjunctives may be used (see here).

• It’s important that somebody talk to the police.
• Was it necessary that my uncle be informed?
• I recommend that she reduce her expenditure.

Should in that-clauses: It’s surprising that … should

Should is also used in subordinate clauses after words expressing personal judgements and reactions, especially to facts which are already known or have already been mentioned. (This use, too, is more common in British than American English. It is not particularly formal.)

• It’s surprising that she should say that to you.
• I was shocked that she shouldn’t have invited Phyllis.
• I’m sorry you should think I did it on purpose.
• Do you think it’s normal that the child should be so tired?

In American English, would is more usual in this kind of sentence.

• It was natural that they would want him to go to a good school. (BrE … that they should …)

Sentences like these can also be constructed without should. Subjunctives cannot be used.

• It’s surprising that she says/said that sort of thing to you. (but not It’s surprising that she say …)
• I was shocked that she didn’t invite Phyllis.

note

For should in if-clauses, (see here); after in case, (see here); after lest, (see here); after so that and in order that, (see here).

Who do you wish (that) you’d married?

A wh- question usually refers to the main clause which starts with the question word. However, questions can also refer to subordinate that-clauses after verbs like wish, think or say.

• Who do you wish (that) you’d married, then?
• How long do you think (that) we should wait?
• What did you say (that) you wanted for Christmas?

That is usually dropped in cases like these; it must be dropped when the question word refers to the subject of the subordinate clause.

• Who do you think is outside? (not Who do you think that is outside?)
• What do you suppose will happen now? (not What do you suppose that will happen now?)

Compound conjunctions

Some conjunctions are made up of two or more words, including that. Common examples: so that, in order that, provided that, providing that, seeing that, given that, now that.

• I got here early so that we could have a few minutes alone together.
• I’ll come with you providing that James doesn’t mind.
• OK, I’ll help you, seeing that you asked so nicely.
• Given that I’m free on Monday, we could go to Scotland for the weekend.

note

For the relative pronoun that, (see here).