conjunction 'that'

Question

I was taught that the conjunction 'that' cannot be omitted in noun clauses functioning as subject complement:It is true that he was here (not: it is true he was here).Is this right?  Thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

4444mvthe conjunction 'that' cannot be omitted in noun clauses functioning as subject complement

There's something wrong here. "true that he was here" is the subject complement, but it's not a noun clause. "true" is an adjective. Are you sure that's what you were taught? Did you understand it correctly?

The following may be the sort of case you're talking about:

The reason is that he was late.

Even here, some people leave out "that", though it is not recommended because it is so casual in style.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

4444mvI was taught that the conjunction 'that' cannot be omitted in noun clauses functioning as subject complement:It is true that he was here (not: it is true he was here).

your noun clause, that he was here, is not the subject complement (true is); it’s actually the subject, or at least that’s how we understand it: It is true that he was here = “That he was here is true” (look up ‘extraposition’). here that is optional and dropping it is slightly informal (it’s obligatory when it starts the sentence, however)

4444mv · Answer

CalifJim 4444mvthe conjunction 'that' cannot be omitted in noun clauses functioning as subject complementThere's something wrong here. "true that he was here" is the subject complement, but it's not a noun clause. "true" is an adjective. Are you sure that's what you were taught? Did you understand it correctly?The following may be the sort of case you're talking about:The reason is that he was late.Even here, some people leave out "that", though it is not recommended because it is so casual in style.CJ

Yes, CJ !! I got confused! I remember now I was taught the way you have explained it.

I understand it now!
Thanks you a lot.

conjunction 'that'

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