39강 / Concept 039 / 명사절을 만드는 접속사 that 1

Main Ideas

The lesson introduces subordinating conjunctions that form noun clauses, focusing on noun clauses used as the object of a verb. Noun clauses used as subjects or complements are reserved for a later lesson.

A noun can be a single word or a clause. A clause contains a subject and a verb; a noun clause is a subject–verb unit that functions like a noun—as a subject, complement, or object.

A common pattern for an object clause is:

Main clause + that + subject + verb

Examples:

• I think that he is honest.
• I know that you can do it.

In these examples, the entire that-clause is the object of the preceding verb. Verbs of thinking, believing, knowing, and being certain commonly introduce this kind of clause.

The clause after that should express a complete thought. Its verb may be a regular verb or a form of be; a phrase such as be + adjective still forms the predicate.

How to Identify the Different Uses of That

The same word, that, can have different grammatical functions:

• Conjunction: Introduces a complete clause, usually after a verb. It does not mean “that thing.”
  • I think that he is honest.
• Demonstrative pronoun: Stands alone and refers to “that thing.”
• Demonstrative adjective/determiner: Comes before and points to a noun.
  • that book

To identify the use, examine what follows that: a complete subject–verb clause, a noun, or nothing that it modifies. This distinction is important in grammar exercises and exams.

Practical Approach

1. Find the subject and verb of the main clause.
2. Check whether another subject–verb clause follows.
3. If that introduces a complete clause, treat it as a conjunction and identify the clause’s role—here, typically the object of the preceding verb.
4. If that stands for a thing or modifies a noun, treat it as a demonstrative pronoun or demonstrative determiner.

Remember that that can sometimes be omitted after verbs such as think or believe:

I think (that) you will help me.

Use the sentence structure and meaning to interpret the relationship between the clauses. The instructor recommends applying these distinctions while reading and solving problems so that recognizing sentence structure becomes more familiar.

The lesson closes by previewing later study of other subordinate clauses, including adjective and adverb clauses.

Speakers and Sources

• Jeong Ho-seon — instructor and narrator
• Middle School English TV — channel identified in the video context