Identifying Sentence Parts
Clauses as Subjects and Objects
1. A subordinate clause can serve as the direct object of a verb. The following sentences have the same basic structure (Subject + verb + object) except that the object is a phrase in the first and a clause in the second:
The fortune-teller predicted THE FUTURE.
The fortune-teller predicted THAT WE WOULD HAVE TWINS.
Combine the following pairs of sentences, replacing the direct object of the second sentence (the big THIS) with the idea expressed in the first sentence. Use "that" to introduce this clause. Do not omit it even though you may often do so without being ungrammatical. These sentences are devised so that omitting "that" will lead to confusion.
Example: Grandma should be allowed to die.
Somebody has to say THIS.
Answer: Somebody has to say THAT GRANDMA SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DIE.
1. The loud bell in the church tower had been melted down.
We heard THIS.
2. The desire to see a man hurt is uncivilized.
Norman Cousins feels THIS.
3. His large, throbbing nose must be visible from miles away.
Martin felt THIS.
4. The star witness's sworn testimony was a pack of lies.
The judge believed THIS.
5. His name and Social Security number were inscribed on the murder weapon.
He forgot THIS.
6. Her dead husband and children could not return from the grave.
At last she saw THIS.
7. Their son's engagement to Maria Jones was broken.
The old couple announced THIS.
8. "Dangerous books and pamphlets" had been burned in the streets.
The pious old lady read THIS.
9. Fairy tales and nursery rhymes could warp children's minds.
The grim professor wrote THIS.
10. Foul words were forbidden in her home.
Aunt Diana said THIS.
11. An entire clause can serve as the subject of a sentence:
THAT THE PRINCESS WAS ILL AGAIN came as no surprise.
Directions: Turn the first sentence in each pair into a THAT clause and insert it into the second sentence as the subject, in place of the large THIS.
Example: The princess was ill again.
THIS came as no surprise.
Answer: That the princess was ill again came as no surprise.
11. The little man had summoned the police.
THIS became a major issue at the trial.
12. Children seldom die of fevers.
THIS sustained the desperate mother's hope.
13. No time machine could ever work.
THIS did not occur to the young inventor.
14. Stun-guns had been outlawed.
THIS did not worry Alec as he slid the weapon into his pocket.
15. Weddings should not take place in cemeteries.
THIS kept nagging at my brain during the drive to Forest Lawn.
16. Another effective way to make a clause the subject of a sentence is to insert "IT" where the subject belongs and then add a "THAT" clause at the end. The "it," called an "expletive," holds the place for the subject until you get to it.
Use the "It . . . that . . ." pattern to combine some of the same sentences you have already dealt with. Replace the entire that clause with "It" and move the "that" clause to some later point in the sentence (often but not always the very end).
Example: That the princess was ill again came as no surprise.
Answer: It came as no surprise that the princess was ill again.
6. That the little man had summoned the police became a major issue at the trial.
17. That no time machine could ever work did not occur to the young inventor.
18. That stun-guns had been outlawed did not worry Alec as he slid the weapon into his pocket. [Hint: It will sound better if you move the "as" clause to the head of the sentence.]
19. That weddings should not take place in cemeteries kept nagging at my brain during the drive to Forest Lawn. [Please move the long final phrase to the front That way, you can end strongly on the subject.]