[Grammar] I like that vs I like the fact that

[englishteacher79]

I hear a lot of students say "I like that + CL" - e.g. "I like that my colleagues are fun to be with."

Is this structure correct? I always say it's better to say "I like the fact that + CL"

Thanks.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I consider 'like + that-clause' and 'want + that-clause' incorrect, but I am not a teacher.

 

[Raymott]

I hear a lot of students say "I like that + CL" - e.g. "I like that my colleagues are fun to be with."
Is this structure correct? I always say it's better to say "I like the fact that + CL"

Yes, it's correct, but you can say "I like the fact that my colleagues ..." or "I like it that my colleagues ...", "I like how my colleagues ..." - all of which are more common than a bare "I like that ..." in my opinion.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

In the U.S., "I like that" is perfectly acceptable conversational English but probably wouldn't be found in formal speech or writing.

Rays alternatives are also good to know, and I would also call them informal conversational phrasing.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Personnaly, I hate "the fact that". It adds nothing.