Skip to content
Zorg Space Open the app

English grammar

Clauses that act as nouns: that, whether and wh-

C1 · Advanced Nouns and describing Questions 10

The rule

A whole clause can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence. A that-clause as subject is formal (That he lied is obvious) and is usually moved to the end with it (It is obvious that he lied). After a preposition a bare that-clause is impossible: use the fact that (despite the fact that, owing to the fact that, I’m worried about the fact that…) or drop the preposition (annoyed that…). A whether-clause can be the subject (Whether we go depends on the weather) — if cannot start a sentence or follow a preposition this way (It depends on whether…). A wh-clause keeps statement word order: What you need is rest; How she did it remains a mystery; I can’t remember where I put it. An -ing clause can also be a subject: Travelling alone can be lonely. And whoever, whatever make clauses meaning any person or thing that: Whoever broke it will pay.

Pattern

That + clause + verb (formal) → It … that … · preposition + the fact that … · Whether + clause + verb · depends on whether … · What / How / Where + statement order · -ing clause as subject · Whoever / Whatever …

Examples

  1. What you need is a long holiday.

  2. Whether the plan succeeds depends on the funding.

  3. Despite the fact that it rained, the festival was a success.

  4. How the thieves got in remains a mystery.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: If we go depends on the weather.

    Right: Whether we go depends on the weather.

    At the start of a sentence, use whether, not if.

  • Wrong: I’m worried about that he is late.

    Right: I’m worried about the fact that he is late.

    After a preposition, use the fact that.

  • Wrong: I don’t know where does she live.

    Right: I don’t know where she lives.

    An embedded question uses statement order.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Whether we can afford it is another matter.
    2. If we can afford it is another matter.
    3. That whether we can afford it is another matter.
    4. Whether can we afford it is another matter.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Whether we can afford it is another matter.

    A whether-clause as subject.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    It all depends on _____ the bank agrees to the loan.

    1. if
    2. whether
    3. that
    4. what
    Show answer

    Answer: B It all depends on whether the bank agrees to the loan.

    After a preposition: whether, not if.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    What is the subject of the sentence?

    What worries me is the cost.

    1. me
    2. What worries me
    3. the cost
    4. worries
    Show answer

    Answer: B What worries me

    The whole what-clause is the subject.

  4. 4This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    He was annoyed about that nobody had told him.

    1. He was annoyed about that nobody told him it.
    2. He was annoyed about nobody had told him.
    3. He was annoyed of that nobody had told him.
    4. He was annoyed that nobody had told him.
    Show answer

    Answer: D He was annoyed that nobody had told him.

    Drop the preposition before a that-clause (or use the fact that).

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Begin with the wh-clause.

    Nobody knows how the fire started.

    1. How started the fire is still unknown.
    2. How did the fire start is still unknown.
    3. That how the fire started is unknown.
    4. How the fire started is still unknown.
    Show answer

    Answer: D How the fire started is still unknown.

    wh-clause as subject, statement order.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    Despite the fact that it was late nobody left

    Show answer

    Answer: Despite the fact that it was late nobody left.

    despite the fact that + clause.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Can you tell me what time opens the museum?
    2. Can you tell me that what time the museum opens?
    3. Can you tell me what time the museum opens?
    4. Can you tell me what time does the museum open?
    Show answer

    Answer: C Can you tell me what time the museum opens?

    Embedded question: statement order.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence means the same?

    That the minister knew about the problem is now clear.

    1. It is now clear that the minister knew about the problem.
    2. The problem is now clear to the minister.
    3. The minister now knows clearly about the problem.
    4. It is not clear whether the minister knew.
    Show answer

    Answer: A It is now clear that the minister knew about the problem.

    A that-subject can be moved to the end with it.

  9. 9Fill in the gap.

    You are writing a formal letter of complaint.

    I am concerned about _____ no one has replied to my emails.

    1. the fact that
    2. that
    3. what
    4. whether that
    Show answer

    Answer: A I am concerned about the fact that no one has replied to my emails.

    After about: the fact that + clause.

  10. 10Change the sentence.

    Make it formal with the fact that.

    Although she had no experience, she got the job.

    1. Despite of the fact she had no experience, she got the job.
    2. Despite that she had no experience, she got the job.
    3. Despite the fact she had no experience it, she got the job.
    4. Despite the fact that she had no experience, she got the job.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Despite the fact that she had no experience, she got the job.

    despite the fact that + clause.

Practise this lesson in Zorg Space

In the app every rule becomes interactive practice: instant correction, reviews at the moment you are about to forget, and progress you can see from level to level — free.

Start for free

More in «Nouns and describing»