Adding {the fact} with THAT content clauses

Br7

New member
Joined
Jan 12, 2026
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Nepali
Home Country
Nepal
Current Location
India
As far as I know, when using "that" content clauses, it is for 1) Factive verbs and 2) certain prepositional verbs that we need "the fact" to make it like a noun, or for valence and nominalisation.

My question:
Why is it that some of the factive verbs need not be followed by a "that" clause, and a few of them need to be? Can any of these be wrong? Grammarly and certain AI platforms find it okay.

1. I see that you have finished the job. (Sensory/Perceptual factive)
2. I hear that you are leaving. (Sensory/Perceptual factive)
3. I appreciate that you came. (Emotive factive)
4. I noticed that the door was open." ( Cognitive factive)
5. They discovered that the gold was fake. (Cognitive factive)

In contrast to the above examples, the following factive verbs and some other do need {the fact}. Also, all the prepositional factives need them.

He ignored the fact that he was failing.
They overlooked the fact that the contract had expired.
You must acknowledge the fact that we tried.
This validates the fact that our theory works

I would appreciate any help.
 
1. I see that you have finished the job. (Sensory/Perceptual factive)
2. I hear that you are leaving. (Sensory/Perceptual factive)
3. I appreciate that you came. (Emotive factive)
4. I noticed that the door was open." ( Cognitive factive)
5. They discovered that the gold was fake. (Cognitive factive)
Of the sentences above, only #3 requires "that". If you omit "that", you have to change the sentence to "I appreciate you/your coming". I'll leave it to a grammar expert to explain why!
 
Of the sentences above, only #3 requires "that". If you omit "that", you have to change the sentence to "I appreciate you/your coming". I'll leave it to a grammar expert to explain why!
Thanks! My question was about adding (the fact} before "that" content clause. All the sentences are using "that" content clause. There may be other formats of conveying the meaning, as in: "I see the job is finished." which is of the format: subject+ verb+ object+object complement

Are all of these correct: (They all do not have {the fact} added.
1. I see that you have finished the job. (Sensory/Perceptual factive)
2. I hear that you are leaving. (Sensory/Perceptual factive)
3. I appreciate that you came. (Emotive factive)
4. I noticed that the door was open." ( Cognitive factive)
5. They discovered that the gold was fake. (Cognitive factive)
 
I understand the question to be: Why do we sometimes need to use 'the fact' at the beginning of certain 'that'-clauses.

Some verbs can license a 'that'-clause complement:

She noticed that the door was open. ✅

Other verbs can't do that, requiring a noun phrase complement:

She ignored that the door was open. ❌

Using 'the fact' is a way to turn a 'that'-clause into a noun phrase:

She ignored the fact that the door was open. ✅

Prepositions also require noun phrase complements; they can't take a 'that'-clause complement:

He did it despite that I told him not to. ❌
He did it despite
the fact that I told him not to. ✅
 
Last edited:

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top