• Sometimes we have sentences that begin such as, I agree that . . . , He concluded that . . . I noticed that . . .No problem, right?
  • But can we say, I assured that . . . I convinced that . . . I notified that . . . I reminded that . . . ? Of course we cannot. We must use an indirect object. I assured my students that they could handle noun clauses. I convinced them that it wasn’t so difficult.
  • Then we have some verbs in the intro clause that you have the choice to use an indirect object or not. But the preposition 'to' is required.

I proved (to the students) that they could grasp this concept. I mentioned( to them) that we other students had done well with noun clauses.

  • Finally, there is the case when the indirect object is optional.

I promised (them) that the test would be easy. I promised (them) it would be short.

So let's get organized and set up a chart of the four groups and their different situations.

  1. Intro clause: no indirect object needed.

Common verbs include: agree, answer, notice assert, conclude, know, realize, state, think . .

Everyone knows that English is an international language

      2. Intro clause: indirect object optional but if used, needs the word 'to'

           Common verbs include: admit, explain. mention, point out, prove, reply

            I explained ( to my boss) that my computer crashed .

3.Intro clause: must use indirect object

 Common verbs include: assure, convince, inform, notify, remind, tell . . .

I reminded him that he had an appointment today

      4. Intro clause: indirect object optional

             Common verbs include: promise, show, teach, warn, write

           He showed (the class) how to make soup

Now there is yet another complication: After certain verbs and adjectives in the intro clause, the verb in the 'that-clause' is expressed in the simple form. Here’s an example:

The ESL conversation instructor urged that the students be more talkative. He insisted that they not waste time looking in their dictionaries. It is necessary that each student speak more to other students.

Here are some of the verbs that cover this case:

Advise, ask command, demand, direct, insist, move, propose, recommend, suggest, urge

Here are some adjectives that cover this case:

Advisable, essential, necessary, important, urgent, vital

I know that's more than you ever care to know about this topic so in case you are still with me, here's an activity to get your students some practice with 'that' clauses.

 Warm up Exercise One: Choose a verb plus 'that' from the above groups that make sense in these sentences:
  1. Experts __________________ exercise is important for health.
  2. However, a recent  magazine article _________________ Americans do not exercise enough.
  3. Dr. Jones , in a letter to Congress, ________________ a campaign to increase the health of Americans is necessary.
  4. He also _________________ nutrition education in schools must begin in elementary school.
  5. He _____________ every American change his/her lifestyle.
Activity Two: Practicing the verb in the base form in the 'that' clause.
 This can be used as a conversation or writing activity

 Fictional Background Information:  There is a sudden and  serious reduction in the oil supply to our country and has caused a shortage. As a result, the government is proposing restrictions on gasoline use for cars. Follow the example to make noun clauses:

________________________________________________________________________

Example:

What did the government order?

People must decrease their use of gasoline; they should not waste gas.

Answer: The government ordered that people decrease their gasoline use and that they not waste it.

 

Show students how to cut out the modal, must, should, etc? __________________________________________________________________

  1. What did the government demand?

Each family must reduce their gas usage by 30%

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

    2. What is necessary?

Everyone must obey the new restrictions

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3.What did the government require for people who live in the city?

People can only drive 3 times a week .      

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

       4. What is advisable?

People should conserve gas as much as possible.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

       5. What has been demanded of airlines? 

Airlines should cut their trips by 25 %

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

       6. What was suggested?

All workers use public transportation if possible

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

       7. What was urged?  

People must take this crisis seriously

If you are using this as a speaking practice activity you can put the questions on one card and the response on another card and pass them out at random in small groups. Or put all the questions in a pile and have students take turns picking up a question card and the next student must answer the question with a suitable noun clause. The above example is short so you'll have to create some more situations to practice with but it should give you an idea about how to get started teaching noun clauses that begin with 'that'.

References:

Oshima, A. and Hogue, A.(1999) Writing Academic English   Longman