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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Noun clause 'whether' 'that'

I didn't think whether or not a person was fit and healthy had any bearing over whether or not a person got a job.

I didn't think that whether a person was fit and healthy or not had any bearing over whether or not a person gets a job.

Is a and/or b correct?

Can/should 'that' be included? Though b sounds rightish to me, I don't see how it can be included, since we only need 'whether' or 'that' (or some other complementizer) to head a noun clause...

Thanks
  

Top answer

that is implied, even in the first one, and the whole sentence is clearer if you make it explicit. You actually have several noun clauses here, the most relevant to your question being these: 1. whether or not a person was fit and healthy 2.

— CalifJim

  • that is implied, even in the first one, and the whole sentence is clearer if you make it explicit.
  • You actually have several noun clauses here, the most relevant to your question being these: 1.
  • whether or not a person was fit and healthy 2.
  • whether or not a person got a job 3.
  • (that) whether or not a person was fit and healthy had any bearing on whether or not a person got a job The first two listed above are embedded within the larger noun clause.
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10 Answers
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that is implied, even in the first one, and the whole sentence is clearer if you make it explicit.

You actually have several noun clauses here, the most relevant to your question being these:

1. whether or not a person was fit and healthy
2. whether or not a person got a job
3. (that)
whether or not a person was fit and healthy
had any bearing
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Of course. Silly me. Thank you for showing me once again why I should take my time, learn to think before writing.

What about tenses within this sentence, or do you prefer keeping it all in the past?

I didn't think that whether a person is fit and healthy or not has any bearing over whether or not a person gets a job.
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The main verb after didn't think is have. In my opinion, that should definitely be kept in the past (had). The other two should match but they can be moved to the present tense if you wish. But to answer your question, I think I prefer all the verbs in the past. I find that "tense-hopping" is entirely unnecessary in this sentence, and may actually confuse the reader.
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CalifJimThe main verb after didn't think is have

Interesting question you have raised for me. Why? I mistakingly used 'has' to go with 'person.'
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English 1b3Interesting question you have raised for me. Why? I mistakingly used 'has' to go with 'person.'
Yes. See above what I called noun clause 3.

CJ
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Sorry, I think I misunderstood you the first time. You said the main verb after 'think' is 'have.' I took this to mean that it needs to be have, not has in the present form or 'had,' in the past form. But you are not saying this right? You were just writing the base form of the verb.

After a noun clause we would use 'has' in the present, not have, right?

Also,
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English 1b3But you are not saying this right? You were just writing the base form of the verb.
Correct. Base form.
English 1b3After a noun clause we would use 'has' in the present, not have, right?
I believe so. I can't think of a plural noun clause off hand.
English 1b3I only see the three noun c
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CalifJimI misspoke. Only those three.

I forgive you, partly because I'm a nice guy, but mostly because I have misspoken on here, just a couple of times myself
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Could you please answer any of these for me? I know I'm a pain. I know I'm persistent. But I won't cease if I continue to receive great answers from you...
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I'll try to get to them when I have time. Be aware, though, that I sometimes don't respond to questions because I don't know the answers. There's no point in just making wild guesses.

CJ
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