THAT CLAUSES That complements constitute the most representative class of complement clauses.

. Apart from those introduced by that, complement clauses can be preceded by for (1) It is good for them to know Mathematics. (E bine s tie matematic.) Whether (2) I dont know whether he will recover. (Nu tiu dac se va nsntoi.) If (3) Tell me if you need anything. (Spune-mi dac ai nevoie de ceva.) (4) They wanted to leave immediately. (Voiau s plece imediat.) 6.1. Syntactic Properties That Characterize That Complements 6.1.1. Extraposition Extraposition is a very frequent structure in English, being found not only in the case of thatclauses, but also of infinitival ones. The term extraposition refers to a construction where the expletive (empty) pronoun it appears in front position, followed by the complement clause in peripheral position. In other words, the clause is extraposed, placed in a marginal position. This phenomenon is true of more than one syntactic functions, but the subject positions the most frequently met in English: Subject Clause unextraposed: (5) That Dorothy flew from Kansas was a surprise to everybody. (A fost o surpriz pentru toat lumea faptul c Dorothy a plecat din Kansas.) extraposed (6) It was a surprise to everybody that Dorothy flew from Kansas. (A fost o surpriz pentru toat lumea faptul c Dorothy a plecat din Kansas.) Direct Object Clause unextraposed: (7) The plumber wrongly figured out that the pipe needed replacing. (Instalatorul a considerat n mod greit c eava trebuia nlocuit.) extraposed (8) The plumber wrongly figured it out that the pipe needed replacing. (Instalatorul a considerat n mod greit c eava trebuia nlocuit.) Prepositional Object unextraposed: (9) Can you swear that the accused spent the evening with you? (Putei jura c acuzatul a petrecut noaptea cu dumneavoastr?) extraposed: (10) Can you swear to it that the accused spent the evening with you? (Putei jura c acuzatul a petrecut noaptea cu dumneavoastr?) 6.1.2. Topicalization Topicalization is the reverse of extraposition: a subject clause which is initially placed in the sentence is said to be topicalized.
1

Compare: (11) That my horse is the best in the world is absolutely evident. (Este clar ca bun ziua c armsarul meu este cel mai bun.) (12) It is absolutely evident that my horse is the best in the world. (Este clar ca bun ziua c armsarul meu este cel mai bun.) Extraposition is the structure that appears much more frequently in English and that is why we consider it to be the marked case; since topicalization appears mostly when a writer/speaker wishes to create a special effect of emphasis, we consider topicalization to be the marked case in the language. 6.1.3. Clause Shift Clause Shift is a syntactic operation that parallels that of Heavy NP Shift. A NP (Noun Phrase) is said to be heavy when it has a large stretch of modifiers accompanying it: for instance the noun phrases the letter or the red letter are much lighter than the noun phrase the letter which he had just read. The rule of Heavy NP Shift stipulates that the heavy NP should be moved to the right and of the sentence for semantic reasons: Compare: (13) He threw the letter which he had just decoded into the basket. (A aruncat scrisoarea pe care abia o descifrase la co.) to (14) He threw into the basket the letter which he had just decoded. (A aruncat la co scrisoarea pe care abia o descifrase.) The sentence under (14) had undergone heavy NP shift by placing the long NP at the end of the whole structure so that the sentence could be more clearly understood. This rule is in fact an exceptional one in that it challenges the fixed word order rules in English, according to which a verb should not normally be separated from its obligatory complement. Clause Shift is a similar rule to Heavy NP Shift as it allows for the clausal structure to be moved to the right end of the sentence. This syntactic operation differs from extraposition in that there is no pronoun left behind and that clause shift operates only on object clauses. The clausal constituent is moved over an adverb phrase or a prepositional phrase as follows: Since (15) *Mary said [that she wanted to drive] quietly.

is not semantically acceptable, because the adverb phrase quietly may erroneously refer to the last verb phrase in the sentence (i.e. the verb to drive), clause shift operates and the resulting grammatical structure is: (16) Mary said quietly that she wanted to drive. (Mary spuse linitit c vrea s conduc maina.)

This way, the adverb can no longer have ambiguous interpretation. It is obviously linked to the main clause verb as intended. Let us also supply an example where the clausal structure jumps over prepositional phrase: From the ungrammatical structure under (17). (17) *They wrote that the firm was going bankrupt to the lawyers.

we obtain, by means of clause shift, (18) They wrote ti to the lawyers [that the firm was going bankrupt] i
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(Le-au scris avocailor c firma urma s dea faliment.) We use the notation ti (trace co-indexed with the that clause) to underline the fact that the clausal structure has been moved in a more semantically advantageous position. 6.2. The Distribution of That Complements That complements can acquire a whole range of syntactical functions: Subject (19) That her husband might be Jack the Ripper slightly annoys Mary. (Mary e puin enervat de ideea c soul ei ar putea fi Jack Spintectorul.)

Direct Object They reported that the bridge had fallen down. (Au raportat c podul s-a prbuit.)

(20)

Prepositional Object She was aware that her husband was lying to her. (Era contient de faptul c soul ei o minte.)

(10)

Adverbial She remained at home so that she would look after the kids. (A rmas acas s aib grij de copii.)

(11)

Predicative The important thing was that nobody knew about it. (Lucrul important era c nimeni nu tia despre asta.)

(12)

Attribute The report that the bridge had fallen down was not true. (Raportul n care se spune c s-a prbuit podul este fals.)

(13)

Let us supply a detailed list of verbs or adjectives that require the presence of these complements. We will begin by discussing the context where that complements appear as direct objects, since this is the most frequent function they fulfil. 6.2.1. That Complements as Direct Object Here is a list of classes of verbs after which that complements function as direct objects: a) Simple transitive verbs: such as assert, affirm, consider, deem, judge, estimate, deny, desire, predict, prefer, state, etc.: (25) a. He announced their engagement. (i-a anunat logodna.) b. He announced that they were engaged. (A anunat c sunt logodii.) (26) I really dislike it that he is here. (Extraposed) (M deranjeaz faptul c este aici.) (27) a. They believe that the man is guilty.
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(Cred c omul este vinovat.) b. They believe the man is guilty. (with that-deletion) (Cred c omul este vinovat.) (28) He asserted forcefully that he was innocent (with Clause Shift) (A susinut cu trie c este nevinovat.) b) Ditransitive verbs such as: say, promise, communicate, explain, suggest, etc. These verbs are called ditransitive because they require two obligatory complements: a direct object and an indirect object: (29) (30) They promised him a new house. (I-au promis o cas nou.) They promised him that he would received a new house. (I-au promis c va primi o cas nou.)

Since the direct object that clause is heavy, it tends to appear in peripheral position by means of several syntactic processes: (31) (32) I explained to Susan that I would be back very late. (Clause Shift) (I-am explicat lui Susan c m voi ntoarce foarte trziu.) a. I explained it to Susan that I would be back very late. (I-am explicat lui Susan c m voi ntoarce foarte trziu.) b. He owes it to his father that he became lawyer. (Extraposition) (Faptul c a devenit avocat i-l datoreaz tatlui su.)

6.2.2. That Complements as Subjects a) This position is filled by that complements in combination with a rather limited number of intransitive verbs: seem, appear, happen, turn out, matter, come about, follow, etc.: (33) It appeared that a life could be interesting, amusing, and ultimately trivial. (Iris Murdoch, An Accidental Man) (Se prea c o via poate fi interesant, amuzant, i n fine trivial.) Some of these verbs (seem, occur, appear) may optionally be followed by an indirect object: a. It appeared to him that she was lying to him. (I se prea c l minte.) b. It occurred to John that he needed a new car. (i veni ideea c John are nevoie de o main nou.)

(34)

The most important thing to notice with this class of intransitive verbs is that only extraposed structures are grammatical: (12) a. It appears to me that this is a new beginning. (Mi se pare c acesta este un nou nceput.) b. *That this is a new beginning appears to me.

b) adjectives (evaluative adjectives, that express a belief of the speaker): likely, unlikely, certain, sure, etc. clear, possible, probable, appropriate, fair, good, interesting, etc. (36) a. It was in any case obvious that Marriage was Dorinas lot. (Era n orice caz clar c i se potrivea Dorinei s fie cstorit.)
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b. It was not just that Austin was an object of interest because of the Matthew legend. (Iris Murdoch, ibid.) (Nu era numai faptul c Austin constituia un obiect de interes din cauza legendarului Matthew.) Sometimes the adjective can appear alone, or without the copula: (37) a. Odd that one should so naturally wish to lie upon ones bed to go to sleep forever. (Iris Murdoch, ibid.) (Ciudat c poi dori cu atta naturalee s te ntinzi n pat i s adormi pe vecie.) b. for a few days I thought it possible that you wanted simply to nerve yourself to break things off. (Iris Murdoch, ibid.) ( cteva zile am crezut c e posibil s i doreti pur i simplu s ai curajul s distrugi totul.) Some of these adjectives my take indirect objects: (38) a. That he knew nothing about Poland was obvious to all his friends. (Era clar pentru toi prietenii lui c nu tia nimic despre Polonia.) b. It was obvious to all his friends that he knew nothing about Poland. (Era clar pentru toi prietenii lui c nu tia nimic despre Polonia.)

b) Nouns that come from the same semantic area as adjectives: problem, idea, impediment, surprise, miracle, pity, wonder, etc. (39) It is a wonder that you werent killed. (E mare minune c nu ai fost ucis.)

The noun can appear in isolation: (40) a. A pity that men were so impatient. (J. Galsworthy Over the River) (Pcat c brbaii sunt aa de lipsii de rbdare.) b. A pity men were so impatient. (that deletion) (J. Galsworthy Over the River) (Pcat c brbaii sunt aa de lipsii de rbdare.) d) ing forms (verbal nouns) (41) a. There was no denying that business was rotten. (Nu exista ndoial c afacerile mergeau prost.) b. There was no denying business was rotten. (that-deletion) (Iris Murdoch, ibid.) (Nu exista ndoial c afacerile mergeau prost.) e) psychological transitive verbs : alarm, amaze, annoy, confuse, please, frighten, interest, pain, relieve, soothe, tempt, trouble, etc.: (42) a. It stirs me that I was thought worthy (M impulsiona faptul c m credeau vrednic.) b. That everybody blames him obviously depressed him. (Faptul c toat lumea da vina pe el l deprima evident.)

6.2.3. That Complements as Prepositional Objects

It is known that the presence of THAT normally excludes the possibility that a preposition could appear in front of the that complement. We assume that prepositions are dropped in front of that-clauses. We retain however the name prepositional object clause for these particular thatcomplements because the basic structure it is derived from is a predicate + a preposition: e.g. decide on something > decide that (43) a. She decided on coming here. (S-a hotrt s vin aici.) b. She decided that she would come here. (S-a hotrt c va veni aici.)

In example (43) we consider that the underlined clause functions as prepositional object required by the verb decide. That complements appear as prepositional objects after: a) simple intransitive prepositional verbs: decide on, pray for, see to, admit of, ask for, bring about, rejoice at, theorize about, vote for, etc.: (44) a. He wondered that she was still there. (S-a mirat c mai este acolo.) b. They voted that the strike should go on. (Au votat s continue greva.) c. You may depend upon it that he will agree with your terms. (Extraposed) (Poi conta pe faptul c va fi de acord cu condiiile tale.) b) transitive prepositional verb: advise somebody of, accuse somebody of, blame somebody for, congratulate somebody on ,etc.: (45) He informed them that he would leave. (I-a informat c pleac.)

c) the exceptional case of the verb remind somebody of where there is an indirect object present: (46) They remind him that she should leave. (I-au amintit s plece.)

d) adjectives: afraid of, confident in, alarmed at, happy about (47) a. I was afraid that she might not come. (M temeam c s-ar putea s vin.) b. I was fully aware of it that things were so bad. (Extraposed) (mi ddeam perfect seama c lucrurile stteau prost.)

6.2.4. That complements as Predicatives They appear in equative copulative sentences (of the type X is Y or Y is X) when the subject is an abstract nominal such as: fact, idea, statement, claim, reason, etc.: (48) a The fact is that he cannot join us tomorrow. (Fapt e c nu poate veni cu noi mine.) b. The second reason for my departure was that I didnt love Bill any more. (Al doilea motiv pentru plecarea mea era c nu-l mai iubeam pe Bill.)
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6.2.5. That Complements as Attributes 3 after abstract nouns (idea, fact, etc ) 4 after deverbal nouns (nouns derived from verb): claim, wish, proposal, etc. : (49) The fact that she is in debt bothers his wife immensely. (Faptul c are datorii o deranjeaz enorm pe nevast-sa.) One has to bear in mind that the examples above contain that complements, not wh-ones. We included that-relative clauses in the larger class of wh-complements (although relative that, like now, for instance, are not graphically wh-words). The examples here contain only that complements and this is explained by the fact that they are required only by nouns that are either abstract, or derived from verbs. Compare: (50) the book that I gave him (cartea pe care i-am dat-o)

Where that is replaceable by which (i.e. the book which I gave him), to: (51) the wish that he should return the money. (dorina ca el s returneze banii.) Where in fact the that-clause can be seen as the former complement of the verb wish: (52) She wished that he should return the money. (Dorea ca el s returneze banii.)

A further argument against interpreting the that-clause from (51) as a relative clause is the fact that the introductory element cannot be replaced by which in this case: (53)* the wish which we should return the money. 6.2.6. That complements as Adverbials Adverbial that clauses can be divided into two classes according to what pattern of subordination they observe: a) the prepositional phrase model where prepositional phrases are used to introduce that-adverbial clauses: for fear that, on the ground that, in order that, to the end that, in the hope that, in/with the intent that, on purpose that, in event that, on condition that, with a view that, etc.: (53) a. They dislike her on the ground that she is too proud. (O antipatizeaza pe motiv ca e prea mindra.) b. They paid her a large salary in the hope that she would stay with them. (I-au dat un salariu mare in speranta ca va ramine la ei.)

In example (54) the Conjunctive phrases introducing it are formed by means of a prepositional phrase and that. The noun within the prepositional phrase indicates the meaning, the interpretation of the adverbial clause: ground => reason, hope =>purpose. The nouns in these constructions tend to become grammaticalized (i.e. they lose their meaning, become abstract) and that is why they may lose their ability to take determiners and adjectives: we say, for example, on condition that, not *on the condition that exactly because the noun is losing its autonomous meaning and is becoming more and more part of the conjunctive phrase.
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In older stages of English, prepositions were allowed in front of that-clauses, but nowadays there are very few examples of this kind left: (54) Before that man came I saw you. (this example is a sample of archaic language, similar to the construction existent in Romanian: Te-am vzut nainte ca el s vin.) (55) I like him in that he is smart. (this is one of the few examples still used in contemporary English.) (mi place de el pentru c e detept.) A similar situation is exhibited in: (56) a. now that Charlote had insinuated herself into the flat there was nowhere to bring Dorina (Iris Murdoch, ibid.) (acum c Charalote se insinuase n apartament nu mai avea unde s o aduc pe Dorina) b. She has everything save that she lacks intelligence. (Nu-i lipsete nimic cu excepia faptului c nu e inteligent.) c) adverbial subordination by means of that conjunction phrases where there are no prepositional phrases available: Result: so +adverb/adjective that in this structure the degree word ( so, such) is crucial for the grammaticality of the sentence in question: (57) (58) (59) (60) He is so competent a teacher that every student loves him. (Este un profesor att de competent nct toi studenii l iubesc.) *He is a competent teacher that every student loves him. He is such a nice man that women instantly fall for him. (Este un om aa de drgu c femeile se ndrgostesc imediat de el.) *He is a nice man that women instantly fall for him.

That can be deleted, as is shown in the following: (61) He placed his chair by the window so he would see her pass. (i-a pus scaunul lng fereastr, s o vad trecnd.)

When the structure contains the word such, the noun following it is deletable: (62) a. His answer was such an answer that we couldnt doubt its wisdom. (Astfel sun rspunsul lui nct nu ne puteam ndoi de nelepciunea sa.) b. His answer was such that we couldnt doubt its wisdom. (Astfel suna rspunsul lui nct nu ne puteam ndoi de nelepciunea sa.)

On some occasion SUCH can optionally move: (63) a. He gave such an answer that we couldnt doubt it. (I-a dat un asemenea rspuns c nu ne-am putut ndoi de el.) b. He gave an answer such, that we wouldnt doubt it. (I-a dat un asemenea rspuns nct s nu ne putem ndoi de el.) a. He gave such an answer as had expected. (I-a dat genul de rspuns pe care l atepta.) b. He gave an answer such that I had expected. (I-a dat un rspuns pe care l atepta.)
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(64)

6.3. That Deletion 6.3.1. When Can We Delete That? - It is impossible to delete that in unextraposed clauses: (65) That he will ever come back is a question still. (nc ne ntrebm dac se va mai ntoarce.) (66) * He will ever come back is a question still. - That deletion is more acceptable if the verb/adjective/noun requiring the complement clause is a frequently used item or if it is frequent in combination with that-clauses. (67) a. He showed he was able to do it. (A dovedit c poate s fac asta.) b. He got word they were coming. (A prins de veste c ei vin.) c. He said he had borrowed her money. (A spus c a mprumutat bani de la ea.)

The omission of that is an indication that the speaker does not want to be formal, that he uses a relaxed tone. If the verb in question is a not so ordinary one, omission of that is impossible: (68) *He objected it was already too late to leave. 6.3.2. When is That Obligatory? - That can be deleted if it follows the main verb/adj./noun directly, but it is usually required if the complement clause is separated from the main verb by intervening material: (69) It had also produced the certainty that they belonged together and that, for better or worse, they were chained to each other forever. (Iris Murdoch, ibid.) (De asemenea, condusese la certitudinea c trebuiau s fie mpreun i c, bune, rele, erau legai pe veci unul de cellalt.) *It had also produced the certainty that they belonged together and, for better or worse, they were chained to each other forever.

(70)

In example (71) we interpret the last clause as being coordinated with the main clause not with the first that clause, because that has been deleted. - That deletion is blocked if an object clause has been extraposed: (71) a. I like it that he was here. (mi place c e aici.) b. *I like it he was here.

6.3.3. When is That Deletion Obligatory? That deletion is absolutely obligatory if the subject of the complement clause is questioned or relativized: You say (73) Who did you say was coming? (Cine spui c a venit?)

But never
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(74)

*Who did you say that was coming?

This is explainable by the fact that who is the subject of the that clause. The presence of that can lead to a double subject construction, which is ungrammatical. 6.4. The Sequence of the Tenses in Object That Clauses The tenses in complement clauses are oriented towards the tenses of the main clause, thus showing the temporal relation (anteriority, simultaneity, posteriority) holding between the actions of the main and the subordinate clause. The changes in the embedded clause are as follows: Present ----- Past (75) a. She is there, he said. (Este acolo, spuse el.) b. He told me that she was there. (Mi-a spus c ea este acolo.) ] Past Perfect

Past ] Present Perfect Past Perfect ] (76)

a. She was here, he said. (Era acolo, spuse el.) b. He told me that she had been there. (Mi-a spus c a fost acolo.)

Future ------- Future in the Past (77) a. I will leave her. (Am s o prsesc.) b. He said he would leave her. (A spus c o s o prseasc.)

Future Perfect ------Future Perfect in the Past (78) a. He will have arrived by the time she leaves. (Pn pleac vine el.) b. He said he would have arrived by the time she left. (A spus c o s vin el pn pleac ea.)

Let us discuss those particular cases when these rules are optional: 1. The Present Past rule can be optional with the so-called FACTIVE verbs (that is verbs that presuppose the truth of their complement). For instance, when you say. (79) I realize that he is a genius. (mi dau seama c este un geniu.)

the complement clause is interpreted as true. And that is demonstrated by the fact that even if we negate the main clause, the truth value of the complement clause remains the same: (80) I dont realize that he is a genius (that means still that he is a genius, only I dont realize it).
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With such verbs as realize, forget, mention, regret, discover, show, notice, be amazed/concerned, say, report, etc. the rule of the sequence of tenses Present --- Past is optional: (81) a. Bill reported that coconuts grew high upon trees. (Bill a anunat c nucile de cocos stau foarte sus n copac.) b. Bill reported that coconuts grow high upon trees. (Bill a anunat c nucile de cocos stau foarte sus n copac.)

On the other hand, there is a whole range on verbs that require that the rule should be observed: know, be aware, think, believe, dream, wish, hope, insist, whisper, etc. (82) It seemed/was likely/possible/unfortunate that the new leader of the group was/*is an undercover agent. (Prea / era probabil / posibil / neplcut c noul conductor al grupului era agent secret.) If we consider this rule outside the domain of that complements, we notice that general truths, expressed by the Generic Present are normally preserved in the present even if they can be found right in the middle of a narration: (83) It was and was not like the first day of the honeymoon when the newly maarried pair, in tender deference to each other, feign habits which are not their own. (Iris Murdoch, The Black Prince) (Era i nu era ca n prima zi a lunii de miere cnd perechea proaspt cstorita, cu un respect tandru unul fa de altul, simuleaz obiceiuri care nu le aparin.)

The Past Tense imposes itself when the action expressed by it is relevant to some point in the past, with which the speaker does not wish to identify himself: (84) a. She still believed that the earth was flat. (Ea tot mai credea c pmntul este plat.) b. She believed that the earth is round. (Ea tot mai credea c pmntul este rotund.)

In (84) a Past is used to show that the speaker does not agree with what the character she considers to be a general truth. Consider also: (85) a. She realized that all men are fools. (i-a dat seama c toi brbaii sunt nite proti.) b. He knew that she thought all men were fools. (tia c ea crede c toi brbaii sunt nite proti.)

In (85b) he disagrees with her opinion and that is why Past Tense is used. 2) The rule Past ----- Past Perfect is sometimes disregarded in certain complements which contain a non-durative, simple Past Tense (that) cannot be seen as simultaneous with the verb in the main clause: (86) a. She suspected that Bill had left before the police arrived. (Ea bnuia c Bill plecase nainte s soseasc poliia.) b. She suspected that Bill left before the police arrived. (Ea bnuia c Bill a plecat nainte s soseasc poliia.)

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Both sentences are grammatical and the presence of the adverbial clause before the police arrived contributes to the optional character of the rule, since it indicates that the event of Bills leaving is anterior to the arrival of the police. Compare this example to (87) She suspected that Bill had been there. (Bnuia c Bill fusese pe acolo.)

where the durative character of the verb be makes it impossible for the rule to be broken: (88) She suspected the Bill was here. (Bnuia c Bill este acolo.)

in this case the meaning of the sentence is changed. (87) shows the anteriority of Bills being there whereas (88) shows that the two events suspect and be there are simultaneous. 3. Future Future in the Past this rule is rarely optional. There are however cases, such as (89) a. Peter said that John would leave at 5. (Peter a spus c John o s plece la 5.) b. Peter said that John will leave at 5. (Peter a spus c John o s plece la 5.)

In (89b) the sequence of the tenses is not observed because for us it isnt yet 5 oclock. Imagine, for instance, that you are uttering this sentence in front of your friend. The time is 3 oclock. Of course in this case you will use the future not the Future in the Past. 6.5 Key Concepts That complements differ from that relatives in that they appear as required by a verb, adjective or a deverbal noun. The most important syntactic properties they have are extraposition (by means of which the clause is placed at the end of the sentence and announced by the pronoun it), topicalization (the reverse of extraposition and means of emphasis) and clause shift (syntactic operation of placing the clause at the end of the sentence when the main clause contains, adverbial or prepositional phrases related to the main clause verb). These syntactic operations are shared by that-clauses with other complement clauses (such as TO-infinitives or wh-complements). That-complements can hold any sort of syntactical function, from the ordinary subject, object ones up to the attributive function, which they share with wh-complements. On certain occasions that can be deleted, on other occasions it has to stay there, or else. That object clauses normally observe the rules of the sequence of the tenses with a few (significant) exceptions.

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