12-5 Noun Clauses Beginning with Verb + That-Clause la (a) I think that Bob will come. (b) I think Bob will come. In (a): that Bob will come is a noun clause. It is used as the object of the verb think. The word that is usually omitted in speaking, as in (b). It is usually included in formal writing. See the list below for verbs commonly followed by a that-clause. agree that fee! that believe that find out that decide that forget that discover that hear that explain that hope that know that remember that learn that say that notice that tel! someone that promise that think that read that understand that Person + Be + Adjective + That-Clause (c) Jan is happy (that) Bob called. That-clauses commonly follow certain adjectives, such as happy in (c), when the subject refers to a person (or persons). See the list below. I'm afraid that* Alis certain that I'm amazed that Alis confident that I'm angry that Alis disappointed that I'm aware that Alis glad that We're happy that Wee pleased that We're proud that We're relieved that Jan is sorry that Jan is sure that Jan is surprised that Jan is worried that It + Be + Adjective + That-Clause (d) Its clear (that) Ann likes her new job, That-clauses commonly follow adjectives in sentences that begin with it + be, as in (d). See the list below. I's amazing that It’s clear that It’s good that , Its important that Its interesting that It's kely that It's lucky that W's nice that I i lt I Its true that Its undeniable that Its wellknown that It's wonderful that I's obvious that Its possible that Its strange that Its surprising that That-Clause Used as a Subject (@) That Ann likes her new jobis clear. (f) The fact (that) Ann likes her new job is clear. (g) itis a fact (that) Ann likes her new job. Itis possible but uncommon for that-clauses to be used as the subject of a sentence, as in (@). The word that is not omitted when the that-clause is used as a subject. More often, a that-clause in the subject position begins with the fact that, as in (f), or is introduced by itis a fact, as in (Q). ee *Tb be afraid has two possible meanings: (2) Itean express fear: I'm afraid of dogs. I’m afraid that his dog will bite me, (2) Itoften expresses a meaning similar to “to be sorry”: I’m afraid shat I can’t accept your invization. I'm afraid you have the ‘erong number.