The noun-phrase complement as "that-clause"

Question

Can I use a noun-phrase complement as "that-clause" ?

For example :

I am looking forward to that they will visit us.

This is a good question! The short answer is no, you can't use a that-clause here. "I am looking forward to" takes a noun phrase, like "visiting Boston", or "a well-deserved rest", but not a that-clause. Maybe somebody else can explain it a little more fully? — stangdon, Feb 02 '16 at 17:40

TimR · Answer 1 · 2016-02-03T10:52:35.937

1

^OK {That they will visit us} is cause for happiness.

^OK I know|hope|suppose|imagine|predict|bet|anticipate|wish|am delighted|etc {that they will visit us}.

But the to of looking forward to (and similar verbs) cannot be complemented by a that-clause.

^OK I am accustomed to {the noise}.

^{not OK} I am accustomed to {that it is noisy}.

P.S. We would say:

I am accustomed to {the fact} {that it is noisy}.

edited Feb 03 '16 at 10:52

answered Feb 02 '16 at 19:55

TimR

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 03 '16 at 13:45

After a verb + preposition can follow only a noun or a gerund, a that-clause can not follow.

But there is a second possibility when you use a verb + preposition, the preposition is dropped, eg

2 Answers2