The fact that she is only ten

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She did well given the fact that she is only ten.[From an English-Japanese dictionary.]Question: A Japanese teacher of English explains that that she is only ten is in apposition to fact. Is her explanation correct?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

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She did well given the fact that she is only ten.
[From an English-Japanese dictionary.]
Question: A Japanese teacher of English explains that that she is only ten is in apposition to fact. Is her explanation correct?

That is a very common and traditional way of explaining that construction. Within the framework of traditional grammar, I consider it a satisfactory explanation.

Modern grammar calls 'that she is only ten' a content clause which is the complement of 'the fact'.

For most purposes it doesn't matter which terminology you accept. None of the terminology makes any difference when you are reading, writing, speaking, or listening. (That's almost never.) It only matters in a grammar or linguistics course, and in that case your teacher will guide you to the terminology he or she prefers.

CJ

The fact that she is only ten

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