Verb + clause

Definition

In a verb + clause pattern, a verb is followed by a finite clause that completes or develops its meaning. The clause may be a that-clause, wh-clause, or if/whether-clause, depending on the verb and intended meaning.

Examples

• Maya believes that the plan will work.

  The that-clause gives the content of Maya's belief.

• I wonder whether Leo received the message.

  The whether-clause expresses an unresolved alternative.

• We know where the keys are.

  The wh-clause completes the meaning of know.

Verb + clause vs. verb + noun phrase

A clause contains its own subject and finite verb. A noun phrase does not.

The available clause type depends on the verb

Not every verb accepts every clause type. Believe commonly takes a that-clause, wonder takes an interrogative clause, and ask can take a wh-clause or if/whether-clause. Clause-internal word order remains statement order.

• Maya asked whether the office was open.

  The embedded question uses statement order: the office was.

• Leo admitted that he had made a mistake.

  The that-clause reports the content of the admission.

Common mistakes