Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Appositive 'that'-clauses provide the specific content of an abstract noun, acting like an equal sign between the noun and the explanation.
- Use 'that' to define abstract nouns like 'fact', 'idea', or 'rumor' (e.g., The news that he won).
- Unlike relative clauses, the 'that' clause must be a complete sentence on its own (e.g., He won).
- Never use 'which' to replace 'that' in these specific content-defining structures.
Overview
Appositive 'that'-Clause, 즉 동격의 that절입니다.that을 보면 단순히 관계대명사나 일반적인 명사절 접속사로만 생각하기 쉽지만, C2 레벨에서의 that은 문장의 밀도를 높이고 정보를 구조화하는 강력한 도구가 됩니다. 동격의 that절은 앞서 나온 추상 명사(abstract noun)의 구체적인 내용을 설명하거나 정의할 때 사용됩니다. 예를 들어, the fact (사실)라는 단어만으로는 어떤 사실인지 알 수 없죠.the fact that he won the prize (그가 상을 받았다는 사실)처럼 그 '사실'의 실체를 완전한 문장 형태로 풀어내 주는 것이 바로 동격의 that절입니다.-(ㄴ/는)다는을 사용하여 명사를 수식하는 구조로 표현합니다. 하지만 영어에서는 이 구조가 관계대명사절과 형태적으로 매우 유사하기 때문에, 고급 학습자들조차 작문이나 독해에서 혼동을 겪곤 합니다. 이 섹션에서는 동격의 that절이 가진 문법적 메커니즘을 완벽히 이해하고, 이를 통해 학술적이고 전문적인 영어를 구사하는 법을 심도 있게 다루어 보겠습니다.that절은 문법적으로 명사 보충어절(Noun Complement Clause)의 역할을 합니다. 이는 선행하는 추상 명사와 that 이하의 절이 의미적으로 '동일함'을 나타낸다는 뜻입니다.that이 종속 접속사로 쓰인다는 점입니다. 관계대명사 that은 뒤에 주어나 목적어가 빠진 '불완전한 문장'이 오지만, 동격의 that은 뒤에 반드시 '완전한 문장'이 와야 합니다.- 한국어:
그가 정직하다는 믿음
- 영어:
The belief that he is honest
that 이하의 내용(he is honest)은 belief의 속성을 설명하는 것이 아니라, belief 그 자체의 내용을 의미합니다. 만약 이것을 관계대명사로 쓴다면 The belief which I have (내가 가진 믿음)처럼 belief를 수식하는 구조가 되지만, 동격절은 belief = he is honest라는 등식이 성립합니다.the fact that뿐만 아니라 the notion that, the premise that, the contention that과 같이 격식 있는 추상 명사들과 결합하여 논리를 전개합니다. 이러한 구조를 자유자재로 활용하면, 복잡한 아이디어를 하나의 명사구 안에 응축시켜 표현할 수 있어 문장이 훨씬 세련되게 변합니다.that절을 만드는 공식은 명확합니다. 하지만 핵심은 어떤 명사가 이 구조를 취할 수 있는지 파악하는 것입니다.- 1추상 명사의 선택: 모든 명사가 동격의
that절을 가질 수 있는 것은 아닙니다.apple,desk같은 구체 명사는 불가능하며, 반드시 '내용'을 담을 수 있는 추상 명사여야 합니다.
- 사실/증거:
fact,evidence,proof,truth,certainty - 생각/신념:
idea,belief,notion,theory,hypothesis,conviction - 말/주장:
claim,assertion,statement,report,rumor,suggestion - 감정/태도:
fear,hope,feeling,suspicion,doubt(단,doubt은whether와 자주 쓰임)
- 1접속사
that: 동격절에서that은 생략하지 않는 것이 원칙입니다. 특히 격식 있는 글쓰기에서는 문장의 구조적 명확성을 위해 반드시 써주어야 합니다.
- 1완전한 절:
that뒤에는 그 자체로 완벽한 문장이 옵니다.
The argument |that |the policy is ineffective |The rumor that the CEO is resigning spread quickly.the CEO is resigning은 완전한 문장이며, 이것이 곧rumor의 내용입니다.There is no evidence that the virus is airborne.the virus is airborne이라는 사실이 곧evidence입니다.
- 1추상적인 개념을 명확히 정의할 때
- 대학 세미나나 비즈니스 미팅에서 특정 이론이나 가설을 설명할 때 사용합니다.
- 예:
The hypothesis that market forces self-regulate is being questioned.(시장 동력이 스스로 조절된다는 가설은 의심받고 있습니다.)
- 1객관성을 유지하며 정보를 전달할 때
I think...라고 말하는 대신The view that...또는The consensus that...이라고 표현하면 훨씬 권위 있고 객관적인 뉘앙스를 줍니다.- 예:
The consensus that climate change is human-induced is overwhelming.(기후 변화가 인재라는 합의는 압도적입니다.)
- 1문장의 초점을 조절할 때 (Emphasis)
- 중요한 사실을 문장의 주어로 끌어올려 강조하고 싶을 때 유용합니다.
- 예:
The fact that she apologized doesn't change anything.(그녀가 사과했다는 사실 자체는 아무것도 바꾸지 못합니다.)
- 1격식 있는 보고서나 논문을 작성할 때
- 한국의 '학원'이나 '회사'에서 영어 보고서를 쓸 때, 단순히
He said...라고 하기보다His assertion that...으로 시작하면 글의 수준이 한 단계 올라갑니다.
- 1
that대신which를 사용하는 실수 (가장 빈번함)
- 한국어에서는 관계대명사절과 동격절 모두 명사를 수식하는 형태로 나타나기 때문에,
that자리에 관계대명사인which를 넣는 실수를 많이 합니다. - 잘못된 예:
The fact which he is rich is known to all.(X) - 옳은 예:
The fact that he is rich is known to all.(O) - 이유:
he is rich는 완전한 문장이므로 관계대명사가 들어갈 자리가 없습니다.
- 1
that앞에 콤마(,)를 찍는 실수
- 동격의
that절은 명사의 핵심 내용을 정의하는 필수적인 정보입니다. 따라서 콤마로 분리하지 않습니다. - 잘못된 예:
The idea, that we should work four days a week, is gaining popularity.(X) - 옳은 예:
The idea that we should work four days a week is gaining popularity.(O)
- 1불완전한 문장을 뒤에 쓰는 경우
- 동격절 뒤에 주어나 목적어를 빠뜨리는 경우입니다. 이는 관계대명사와 혼동하여 발생하는 전형적인 오류입니다.
- 잘못된 예:
The suggestion that he made was helpful.(이것은 관계대명사절입니다.suggestion의 내용이 아니라 그가 '한' 제안입니다.) - 옳은 예 (동격):
The suggestion that we hire more staff was helpful.(제안의 내용: 직원을 더 뽑자)
that절과 가장 헷갈리기 쉬운 구조들을 비교해 보겠습니다.that절 | 관계대명사 that/which절 | 명사절 that (목적어) |The news that he died | The news which I heard | I heard that he died |that 뒤의 문장만 따로 떼어보세요. 그 자체로 완벽한 문장이 되고, 앞의 명사와 내용이 일치한다면 그것은 동격절입니다.that절에서 that을 생략할 수 있나요?- 일상적인 구어체에서는 아주 가끔 생략되기도 하지만, C2 레벨의 격식 있는 글쓰기나 전문적인 상황에서는 절대로 생략하지 않는 것이 원칙입니다. 생략할 경우 독자가 명사와 뒤의 절을 연결하는 데 혼란을 느낄 수 있습니다.
that절을 붙일 수 있나요?- 아닙니다. 예를 들어
attempt,ability,decision같은 명사는that절보다는to-부정사(the decision to leave)와 더 친합니다. 반면fact,rumor,belief등은that절과 찰떡궁합이죠. 명사마다 선호하는 보충어 형태가 다르므로 사전에서 예문을 확인하는 습관이 중요합니다.
the fact of ~ing와 the fact that은 어떻게 다른가요?the fact of his being rich처럼 동명사구를 쓸 수도 있지만, 이는the fact that he is rich보다 훨씬 무겁고 고어적인 느낌을 줍니다. 현대 영어, 특히 논리적인 전개가 필요한 문장에서는that절을 사용하는 것이 훨씬 명료하고 세련된 표현입니다.
that절은 영어의 논리 구조를 지탱하는 뼈대와 같습니다. 카페에서 친구와 가벼운 수다를 떨 때는 필요 없을지 몰라도, 비즈니스 협상이나 학술적 토론, 혹은 수준 높은 에세이를 쓸 때는 여러분의 생각을 정교하게 다듬어주는 최고의 도구가 될 것입니다. 오늘 배운 추상 명사 리스트를 활용해 자신만의 문장을 만들어 보세요. The realization that...으로 시작하는 멋진 문장 하나가 여러분의 영어 품격을 바꿔놓을 것입니다.1. Components of an Appositive Clause
| Head Noun (Abstract) | Complementizer | Proposition (Complete Clause) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The fact
|
that
|
he arrived late
|
Subject of the sentence
|
|
The rumor
|
that
|
they are quitting
|
Object of a verb
|
|
The idea
|
that
|
we should travel
|
Complement of 'is'
|
|
The claim
|
that
|
she stole it
|
Appositive to a noun
|
Meanings
A subordinate clause that follows a noun and explains its content or provides the details of what that noun is. It functions as an appositive, meaning it is grammatically equivalent to the noun it follows.
Factual Content
Used with nouns like 'fact', 'truth', or 'reality' to state a proposition as a certainty.
“The fact that the climate is changing is undeniable.”
“We must face the reality that resources are limited.”
Mental States/Ideas
Used with nouns like 'idea', 'belief', 'notion', or 'theory' to describe a thought.
“The idea that money buys happiness is a myth.”
“He holds the belief that everyone is inherently good.”
Communication/Reports
Used with nouns like 'rumor', 'report', 'news', or 'claim' to specify the information being shared.
“The rumor that the company is closing spread quickly.”
“The report that the mission failed was premature.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + that + S + V
|
The news that he won is true.
|
|
Negative Clause
|
Noun + that + S + not + V
|
The fact that he didn't go is sad.
|
|
Negative Main
|
It is not the case that...
|
The rumor that he left isn't true.
|
|
Interrogative
|
Is + Noun + that + S + V...?
|
Is the idea that we move feasible?
|
|
With Modal
|
Noun + that + S + modal + V
|
The hope that he might stay remains.
|
|
Passive Clause
|
Noun + that + S + be + V-ed
|
The report that he was seen is false.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
The fact that he is departing is established. (Workplace/Personal)
The fact that he's leaving is true. (Workplace/Personal)
The fact he's leaving is a bummer. (Workplace/Personal)
Him leaving? That's a whole fact. (Workplace/Personal)
The Appositive 'Equal Sign'
The Content
- that he is leaving The Fact
- that we will win The Belief
Appositive vs. Relative
수준별 예문
The fact that it is hot is bad.
El hecho de que hace calor es malo.
I like the idea that we eat pizza.
Me gusta la idea de que comamos pizza.
The news that he is here is good.
La noticia de que él está aquí es buena.
The fact that you are happy makes me happy.
El hecho de que seas feliz me hace feliz.
The rumor that they are friends is true.
El rumor de que son amigos es cierto.
Is the report that the bus is late correct?
¿Es correcto el informe de que el autobús llega tarde?
The belief that cats have nine lives is funny.
La creencia de que los gatos tienen nueve vidas es graciosa.
We had the hope that you would come.
Teníamos la esperanza de que vinieras.
The suggestion that we should leave early was great.
La sugerencia de que deberíamos irnos temprano fue genial.
I don't like the claim that he is the best player.
No me gusta la afirmación de que él es el mejor jugador.
The fact that she didn't call is very strange.
El hecho de que ella no llamara es muy extraño.
There is a possibility that the flight will be canceled.
Existe la posibilidad de que el vuelo sea cancelado.
The theory that the earth is flat has been debunked.
La teoría de que la tierra es plana ha sido refutada.
He was motivated by the thought that he might win.
Le motivaba el pensamiento de que podría ganar.
The assumption that everyone speaks English is wrong.
La suposición de que todo el mundo habla inglés es errónea.
The warning that the ice was thin saved our lives.
La advertencia de que el hielo era delgado nos salvó la vida.
The realization that she had been betrayed was devastating.
Darse cuenta de que había sido traicionada fue devastador.
The hypothesis that carbon emissions drive warming is widely accepted.
La hipótesis de que las emisiones de carbono impulsan el calentamiento es ampliamente aceptada.
We cannot ignore the evidence that the system is failing.
No podemos ignorar la evidencia de que el sistema está fallando.
The stipulation that all participants must be over 18 is strict.
La estipulación de que todos los participantes deben ser mayores de 18 años es estricta.
The prevailing notion that geopolitical stability is predicated upon nuclear deterrence is under scrutiny.
La noción prevaleciente de que la estabilidad geopolítica se basa en la disuasión nuclear está bajo escrutinio.
One must grapple with the uncomfortable truth that meritocracy is often a facade for privilege.
Uno debe enfrentarse a la incómoda verdad de que la meritocracia es a menudo una fachada para el privilegio.
The conjecture that the manuscript was a forgery sent shockwaves through the department.
La conjetura de que el manuscrito era una falsificación causó conmoción en el departamento.
The doctrine that the monarch rules by divine right was challenged during the Enlightenment.
La doctrina de que el monarca gobierna por derecho divino fue cuestionada durante la Ilustración.
혼동하기 쉬운
Both use 'that'. Learners try to use 'which' in appositives.
Both use 'that' + clause.
자주 하는 실수
The fact which I am happy.
The fact that I am happy.
The idea that go to the park.
The idea that we should go to the park.
The news that he won it was great.
The news that he won was great.
The suggestion which he resign was made.
The suggestion that he resign was made.
문장 패턴
The fact that ___ is ___.
I am troubled by the possibility that ___.
Real World Usage
The hypothesis that the virus mutated rapidly is supported by data.
Reports that the minister resigned have been denied.
I appreciate the fact that your company values diversity.
The stipulation that payments be made monthly is binding.
The idea that you think you're right is hilarious.
The possibility that it's just a cold is high.
The 'Which' Test
Avoid Wordiness
Abstract Nouns Only
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use appositive clauses to define your terms clearly.
Immediately change it to 'that'.
Check if 'the fact that' can be replaced by a single noun or a gerund.
Remember to use the base form of the verb (subjunctive).
발음
The 'that' reduction
In the appositive clause, 'that' is usually unstressed and pronounced as a schwa /ðət/.
Parenthetical Drop
The news (lower pitch) that he won (lower pitch) was great.
The appositive clause often has a slightly lower pitch than the head noun.
암기하기
기억법
The 'That' Test: If you can replace 'that' with an equal sign (=), it's an appositive clause.
시각적 연상
Imagine a box labeled 'FACT'. Inside the box is a piece of paper with a full sentence written on it. The box is the noun, and the paper is the 'that' clause.
Rhyme
When the noun is the news and the news is the clause, use 'that' every time without any pause.
Story
A detective finds a 'clue'. The clue isn't just an object; it's the 'fact that the window was open'. The detective realizes the fact and the open window are the same thing.
Word Web
챌린지
Write three sentences starting with 'The fact that...', 'The rumor that...', and 'The idea that...' about your favorite hobby.
문화 노트
Using 'the fact that' is often criticized by style guides as being wordy. Experts suggest replacing it with 'because' or 'that' when possible, though it remains standard in formal papers.
In US/UK law, 'the fact that' is used to specify evidence without ambiguity.
From Old English 'þæt' (that), used as a demonstrative that evolved into a complementizer.
대화 시작하기
What do you think about the idea that AI will replace artists?
How do you feel about the rumor that our city is building a new stadium?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
The rumor ___ the CEO is stepping down has been confirmed.
Find and fix the mistake:
The idea which we should move to Mars is fascinating.
The ___ that the earth is round was once controversial.
He might fail. This possibility worries me.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Identify the appositive structure.
The ___ that all men are created equal is a founding principle.
Find and fix the mistake:
I am aware of the fact that he being unhappy.
Score: /8
연습 문제
8 exercisesThe rumor ___ the CEO is stepping down has been confirmed.
Find and fix the mistake:
The idea which we should move to Mars is fascinating.
The ___ that the earth is round was once controversial.
He might fail. This possibility worries me.
1. The rumor, 2. The fact, 3. The suggestion
Identify the appositive structure.
The ___ that all men are created equal is a founding principle.
Find and fix the mistake:
I am aware of the fact that he being unhappy.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesThe belief ___ aliens exist is quite widespread.
I am concerned about the news, which the project failed.
Which of the following is grammatically correct?
Translate into English: 'Die Tatsache, dass sie gewonnen haben, ist erstaunlich.'
Put the words in the correct order:
Match the nouns with their suitable explanations:
We discussed the possibility ___ the launch would be delayed.
It was a revelation; that the Earth is not flat.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Translate into English: 'Die Meinung, dass Kaffeebohnen vom Mars stammen, ist absurd.'
Arrange these words:
Score: /11
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
No, not in an appositive clause. If you use `which`, it becomes a relative clause and changes the meaning. For example, `the news which he heard` (relative) vs `the news that he won` (appositive).
In informal speech, yes: `The fact he's here is great.` However, in C2-level writing, you should always include `that` for clarity and formality.
Only abstract nouns that can contain information, such as `fact`, `idea`, `rumor`, `claim`, `belief`, `possibility`, `hope`, and `news`.
Some editors find it wordy. Instead of `The fact that he was late caused the delay`, you could say `His lateness caused the delay`. Use it sparingly in professional writing.
Yes, with nouns of suggestion or requirement: `The requirement that he be present...` or `The suggestion that she resign...`.
Try replacing `that` with `which`. If it sounds like nonsense, it's an appositive clause. Also, check if the clause is a complete sentence on its own.
No, it must follow a noun. You cannot say `It that he is here is good.` You must say `The fact that he is here is good.`
Yes, especially with `the fact that` and `the idea that`. It's a very natural way to introduce a complex thought.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
el hecho de que
English omits the 'of' (de).
le fait que
French often uses the subjunctive.
die Tatsache, dass
Word order and punctuation.
...to iu koto/jijitsu
Japanese is head-final (noun comes last).
haqiqat anna
Case marking on the subject of the clause.
...de shishi
The 'that' clause comes BEFORE the noun.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
Related Grammar Rules
강조: 정말 좋아해요! (Emphatic Do/Does/Did)
### Overview 영어 학습의 최고 단계인 C1 레벨에 도달하신 여러분, 환영합니다. 이 단계에서는 단순히 문장을 정확하게 만드는...
do/does/did를 이용한 강조
### Overview 영어를 배우는 한국인 학습자들에게 `do`, `does`, `did`는 매우 친숙한 단어입니다. 우리는 영어를 처음 배울 때...
필요한 것은... (강조를 위한 Wh-절 분열문)
### Overview `Wh-cleft` 구문은 문장에서 특정 정보를 앞세워 전달력을 높이는 강력한 문법 구조입니다. 이는 어떤 요소를 강...
전치: 목적어를 먼저 놓기
### Overview 영어 학습의 최고 단계인 C1 레벨에 도달한 여러분에게, 문법은 더 이상 단순한 '규칙'이 아니라 자신의 의도를...
존재문 'There' (There is / There are)
휴대폰을 확인했는데 `there is` (없음) 와이파이가 없다는 것을 깨달은 적이 있나요? 그 작은 공포의 순간은 존재의 `there`가...
