Page 609 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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It is unusual for that-clauses to stand alone as subjects. They are more often introduced by the expression the fact.
The fact that she was foreign made it difficult for her to get a job. (NOT That she fINlS f6reign made it tlijJiefllt ...)
The fact that Simon had disappeared didn't seem to worry anybody. (More natural than That Simon had disappeared didn't ...)
The fact also introduces that-clauses after prepositions (that-clauses cannot follow prepositions directly).
The judge paid no attention to the fact that she had just lost her husband. (NOT ••• f'ditl 1'16 attel'lti61'1 ttJ that site htlt1jf;t3t ...)
He held her completely responsible for the fact that she took food without payingforit. (NOT ••• T'e!tfNJlt!libleforthatshettJ6k...)
In spite o fthe fact that she had three small children, he sent her to prison for six months. (NOT In Sf'ite 6;lthat she htttl .. .)
For cases when prepositions are dropped before that·clauses. see 453.
preparatory it
It is often used as a preparatory subject or object for a that-clause (see 446-447).
It surprised me that he was stiU in bed.
(More natural than That he was still in bed surprised me.)
She made it clear that she was not interested. (NOT She matIe that she ftItJS M t il'ltet'eSteti e/ea,..)
For reasons why that·clauses are often moved to the ends of sentences, see 512.
that-clauses after verbs, nouns and adjectives
Some verbs, nouns or adjectives can be followed by that-clauses; some cannot. Compare:
- I hope that you'll have a wonderful time.
I want you to have a wonderful time. (NOT .. want thatYtJf;C'1l halle ...)
- I understood his wish that we should be there.
I understood the importance ofour being there. (NOT ••• the imp6fflJrtee that we shettltl be there.)
- It's essential that you visit the art museum.
/t's worth your visiting the art museum. (NOT {fs rtItJ,.th that:Y6" flisit ...}
Unfortunately there is no easy way to decide which nouns, verbs or adjectives can be followed by that-clauses. It is best to check in a good dictionary.
verbs in that-clauses
In some kinds of that-clause, should + Infinitive or subjunctives are often used instead of ordinary verb forms. For details, see 521, 567.
I insisted that she should see the doctor at once. (OR ••• that she see ...) ~
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