oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

33 NOUN CLAUSES
3 The pattern That we haven't any money is a pity
We sometimes use a noun clause as subject.
That everyone got back safely was a great relief.
Which route would be best isn't obvious.
But it is more usual to use Pattern 4.
We do not leave out that when the clause is the subject.
NOT Everyone got back safely was a great relief.
NOTE
We can use whether (but not if) when the clause is the subject.
Whether I'll be able to come depends on a number of things.
4 The pattern It's a pity that we haven't any money
We often use the empty subject it. • 50(5)
It was a great relief that everyone got back safely.
It isn't obvious which route would be best.
It's hard to say if/whether it's going to rain (or not).
It's nice (that) you've got some time off work.
NOTE
a We can also use the fact that or the idea that.
The fact that everyone got back safely was a great relief.
b For it as empty object, • 50(5b).
I thought it obvious which route would be best.
c For it with seem, happen etc, • 50(5c).
It seems (that) I've made a mistake.
d For the passive pattern It was decided that we should take this route, •109.
5 The pattern I'm interested in how we can earn
some money
A wh-clause or whether can come after a preposition.
The government is looking into what needs to be done.
He made no comment on whether a decision had been reached.
We cannot use if.
We cannot use a that-clause after a preposition. Compare these sentences.
No one told me about Nicola's illness/about Nicola being ill.
No one told me (that) Nicola was ill.
NOTE
Sometimes we can leave out the preposition.
I was surprised (at) how cold it was.
There's the question (of) whether we should sign the form.
Other expressions are to ask (about), aware (of), to care (about), certain (of/about),
conscious (of), curious (about), to decide (on/about), a decision (on/about),
to depend (on), to inquire (about), an inquiry (about), to report (on/about), sure (of/about),
to think (of/about), to wonder (about).
But with some expressions we cannot leave out the preposition.
There was a discussion about when we should leave.
Others are confused about, difficulty over/about, an effect on, an expert on, an influence on/over,
interested in, a report on/about, research into, worried about.