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Jooney Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
The object of a preposition
Hi,
I've learned that a "that-clause" cannot be the object of a preposition and a gerundive construction is usually the solution.
A: You can count on that they'll be here on time.(X)
B: You can count on their being here on time.(O)
I'm just wondering whether it is possible to insert "the fact" in between a preposition and a "that-clause", incorporating them into a noun phrase.
You can count on the fact that they'll be here on time.(?)
I'd appreciate your help.
I've learned that a "that-clause" cannot be the object of a preposition and a gerundive construction is usually the solution.
A: You can count on that they'll be here on time.(X)
B: You can count on their being here on time.(O)
I'm just wondering whether it is possible to insert "the fact" in between a preposition and a "that-clause", incorporating them into a noun phrase.
You can count on the fact that they'll be here on time.(?)
I'd appreciate your help.
Top answer
Hi, Yes. That's a very standard approach. But in this case, I'd avoid the word 'fact', as it is not a fact because you can't count on it.
- Hi, Yes.
- That's a very standard approach.
- But in this case, I'd avoid the word 'fact', as it is not a fact because you can't count on it.
- Maybe 'you can't count on the belief that .
- .
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4 Answers
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Hi,
Yes. That's a very standard approach.
But in this case, I'd avoid the word 'fact', as it is not a fact because you can't count on it.
Maybe 'you can't count on the belief that . . . '
Yes. That's a very standard approach.
But in this case, I'd avoid the word 'fact', as it is not a fact because you can't count on it.
Maybe 'you can't count on the belief that . . . '
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Thank you for the reply, Clive.
So, you wouldn't use "the fact" because "that they'll be here" cannot be considerd a fact, right? You basically view it as an unrealized event and the event not realized yet cannot be a fact. Did I understand you correctly?
Then, when can you use this "the fact that" construction? Could you give me some examples?
So, you wouldn't use "the fact" because "that they'll be here" cannot be considerd a fact, right? You basically view it as an unrealized event and the event not realized yet cannot be a fact. Did I understand you correctly?
Then, when can you use this "the fact that" construction? Could you give me some examples?
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Hi,
eg When you are talking about facts.
The fact that I broke my leg made me cancel my trip.
He married her because of the fact that she was rich.
eg Or asserting that somethin
eg When you are talking about facts.
The fact that I broke my leg made me cancel my trip.
He married her because of the fact that she was rich.
eg Or asserting that somethin
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