'That' in Noun Clauses

2019/2020 UPPER INTERMEDIATE COURSE - SUPPLEMENTARY GRAMMAR OBJECTIVES
NOUN CLAUSES
Reminder: A clause always has a subject and a verb.
A noun clause (nominal clause) is a clause that we can use like a noun or noun phrase. We can
introduce noun clauses with 3 different words. These are noun clauses starting with:
1- THAT
2- WH-WORD
3- WHETHER / IF
Noun clauses with “That” (That-clauses)
1. We can use noun clauses beginning with that - People used to believe that the earth was flat.
(that-clauses) after the verbs of thoughts, - I was very happy that my final exams went
feelings, after some adjectives and to report well.
statements. - A recent scientific study has shown that
learning a second language improves our
(Note: That-clauses are used as the objects of memory skills.
the verbs in this use.)
2. We often omit “that” in noun clauses - I didn’t know (that) they would offer me a
particularly after the verbs “know, say and job.
think” in informal situations. - He thought (that) he just had a cold.
- People say (that) eating meat every day is not
very good for your heart.
3. That-clause can be used after the verb “be”. -The problem is that we will be late to the
meeting.
4. We can use “that” or “the fact that” when we - That they did their best was never in doubt.
use a that-clause as subject of the sentence. - The fact that people are eating more
consciously is a result of social media.
(Note: “That” in noun clause cannot be
omitted if it is used as the subject.)
EXERCISE 1: Read the text below and underline that-clauses and identify whether they are
used as subjects or objects of the sentences. Then, decide if it is possible to omit the use of “that”
in these noun clauses.
Prepared and Adapted by Nuran Pekedis in September 2019 Page 1

Is SMS Good For Young People?
Whether SMS affects young people’s ability to write in English has been an issue for many
teachers. That a Scottish teenager wrote her entire essay in text language has provoked these
discussions. Should she be allowed to do that?
SMS is on the increase but it is not clear if it is sending the right message to young people and
teachers. Some teachers believe that SMS is having a negative effect on young people’s writing
skills. They say that texting prevents young people from writing properly. The fact that texting is
fast and users have to be brief, good grammar, spelling and sentence structure are forgotten. This
is why young SMS users are not able to write accurately in English.
For some other teachers, texting is a modern means of communication. Therefore, what young
people do is not surprising; they should be able to express themselves in their own way.
According to them, teachers who want to ban it are ‘old-fashioned.’
Another group of teachers think that how people communicate changes according to the
developments in technology. Young people are used to seeing mobile phones everywhere, and
texting is natural for them. However, it is very concerning that this generation doesn’t know
when and where it is appropriate for them to use such a language.
EXERCISE 2: Combine the two sentences as the example given.
0. John failed the course. It didn’t surprise me.
-. It didn’t surprise me that John failed the course.
- That / The fact that John failed the course didn’t surprise me.
1. The use of plastic damages the environment drastically. This is common knowledge.
- It __________________________________________________________________________.
- That________________________________________________________________________.
2. Sudoku improves our concentration skills and reduces chances of developing Alzheimer. It is
widely known.
- It__________________________________________________________________________.
- That________________________________________________________________________.
3. Underdeveloped countries have major issues with providing health-care. It is not surprising.

- It__________________________________________________________________________.
- That________________________________________________________________________.
4. Grand Bazaar is one of the first and oldest shopping malls in the world. It is amazing.
- It__________________________________________________________________________.
- That________________________________________________________________________.
5. Flying in modern jets is one of the safest forms of transportation. This was shown by the
recent statistics.
- It__________________________________________________________________________.
- That________________________________________________________________________.
EXERCISE 3: Read the sentences below and correct the mistakes regarding the use of that-
clauses in the following sentences if there are any.
1. It really helped our high school team their rivals played badly.
2. The researchers were delighted that they had many participants who benefitted the study.
3. It seems most of us have a very simple understanding of how babies learn speaking a
language.
4. Our teachers believe we should take up the habit of guessing the meaning of words as it
improves our language skills to do so.
5. The fact the government didn’t act immediately to take action against domestic violence is
unacceptable.
6. Women’s movement tries to get people to realize gender discrimination in all forms and
overcome them despite there are millions of people who don’t believe that there is such a need.

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2019/2020 UPPER INTERMEDIATE COURSE - SUPPLEMENTARY GRAMMAR OBJECTIVES

Reminder: A clause always has a subject and a verb.

Noun clauses with “That” (That-clauses)

Prepared and Adapted by Nuran Pekedis in September 2019 Page 1

Is SMS Good For Young People?

EXERCISE 2: Combine the two sentences as the example given.

0. John failed the course. It didn’t surprise me.

-. It didn’t surprise me that John failed the course.

Prepared and Adapted by Nuran Pekedis in September 2019 Page 2

Prepared and Adapted by Nuran Pekedis in September 2019 Page 3

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