What the fact that does
In the fact that, fact is the head noun, and the that-clause explains its content. The whole phrase fills a noun position: The fact that she called surprised me; I was surprised by the fact that she called. In other patterns, clauses can be subjects and objects without fact.
By calling information a fact, the speaker presents it as true and often builds on it. It may be new to the listener or disputed by others. This is a way of presenting information, not a grammatical guarantee that it is common knowledge or verified.
the fact that + clause (subject + verb)
- subject / S —
- The grammatical subject: who or what the clause is about; the verb agrees with it. In The book was written, the book is the subject, although someone else does the action.
- verb / V —
- A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
- clause —
- A construction with a verb, often with its own subject: when I arrived. A non-finite clause may leave the subject unspoken: to get home.
The fact that the shop closes at five makes evening shopping hard.
The fact that the shop closes at five makes evening shopping hard.
The whole phrase is the subject; makes is singular.
We cannot overlook the fact that costs have grown for years.
We cannot overlook the fact that costs have grown for years.
The phrase is the object of overlook. The speaker presents the increase in costs as factual.
She was upset by the fact that nobody had asked her opinion.
She was upset by the fact that nobody had asked her opinion.
The noun phrase follows the preposition by, allowing the clause’s content to occupy a noun position.
Four positions: subject, object, after be and after a preposition
The fact that + clause functions as a noun phrase in four positions. As a subject, it opens the sentence and takes a singular main verb. As an object, it follows transitive verbs such as ignore, overlook, resent, regret, accept, appreciate or mention. After be, it identifies the nature of a problem or reason. Finally, it can follow a preposition.
Many positions allow a shorter sentence without the fact: That the road floods worries the residents; Nobody regrets that the bridge was rebuilt. However, this depends on the verb. After despite or because of, you cannot simply leave a complete clause without the required noun phrase; alternatives are although or because.
subject · object · after be · after a preposition
- subject / S —
- The grammatical subject: who or what the clause is about; the verb agrees with it. In The book was written, the book is the subject, although someone else does the action.
- object / O —
- Who or what an action affects: in I read a book, a book is the object.
- preposition —
- A word showing a relationship, such as in, on or from: from Ukraine.
The fact that the road floods every spring worries the residents.
The fact that the road floods every spring worries the residents.
Subject.
Nobody regrets the fact that the bridge was rebuilt.
Nobody regrets the fact that the bridge was rebuilt.
Object of regrets.
The issue is the fact that the contract has no end date.
The issue is the fact that the contract has no end date.
After be, the phrase identifies the nature of the issue.
Despite the fact that the bridge was closed, many people tried to cross.
Despite the fact that the bridge was closed, many people tried to cross.
After the preposition despite.
Why the fact that is needed after certain prepositions
Prepositions such as despite, because of and apart from take noun phrases: despite the rain, because of the traffic, apart from the cost. A complete clause is not a noun phrase and cannot directly follow these expressions: Despite the road was closed is ungrammatical. The fact that provides a noun phrase containing the clause, which the preposition can take.
There are limited fixed expressions where that follows a preposition without fact, such as in that and except that. They have their own meanings and do not generally replace expressions of concession or cause. Despite of is also incorrect: despite takes the phrase directly.
preposition + the fact that + clause
- clause —
- A construction with a verb, often with its own subject: when I arrived. A non-finite clause may leave the subject unspoken: to get home.
- preposition —
- A word showing a relationship, such as in, on or from: from Ukraine.
Because of the fact that the lights failed, the concert started late.
Because of the fact that the lights failed, the concert started late.
Because of is a prepositional expression; the clause is contained in the noun phrase introduced by the fact that.
The plan is good, except that it costs too much.
The plan is good, except that it costs too much.
A fixed expression with a specific use: except that has its own meaning.
She is lucky in that she has a supportive family.
She is lucky in that she has a supportive family.
In that is a fixed expression, not a general way to attach any clause to a preposition.
Expressions that can take the fact that
Concession is expressed by despite, in spite of, regardless of, notwithstanding and irrespective of. Cause is expressed by because of, owing to, due to, on account of, as a result of, thanks to (usually a positive cause) and by virtue of. A basis or background for a decision can follow in view of, in light of, given, considering, bearing in mind or taking into account. Apart from expresses an exception or addition.
The fact that is useful when a complete clause follows despite, because of and similar prepositional expressions. However, given, considering and bearing in mind can take a that-clause directly: Given that it is late…; Considering that the team is small…. Therefore fact is not compulsory after every expression listed. Keep of in because of the fact that; the shorter alternative is because + complete clause.
Apart from the fact that the hotel is expensive, it is excellent.
Apart from the fact that the hotel is expensive, it is excellent.
An additional qualification presented as an exception.
She succeeded thanks to the fact that her tutor was so patient.
She succeeded thanks to the fact that her tutor was so patient.
Thanks to introduces a positive cause.
Considering the fact that it is a small team, the results are impressive.
Considering the fact that it is a small team, the results are impressive.
Considering introduces the basis for the assessment.
Verbs and adjectives with prepositions before the fact that
Some words require a preposition before their complement, and it remains before the fact that: aware of, grateful for, surprised by, depend on, stem from, lie in, point to. With verbs that take a direct object, such as ignore, overlook, resent, regret, appreciate and accept, the phrase follows the verb directly.
Do not choose a new preposition specially for the fact that. Use the preposition the word normally takes before an ordinary noun: depend on the weather gives depend on the fact that, and stem from a mistake gives stem from the fact that.
The company is well aware of the fact that its rivals are catching up.
The company is well aware of the fact that its rivals are catching up.
Aware of + noun phrase.
The difficulty stems from the fact that the data arrive in different formats.
The difficulty stems from the fact that the data arrive in different formats.
Stem from + noun phrase.
Teachers resent the fact that exams leave so little room for creativity.
Teachers resent the fact that exams leave so little room for creativity.
The object of resent, with no preposition.
A fact from the speaker’s viewpoint versus an unconfirmed claim
The fact that normally presents its content as true from the speaker’s viewpoint. If you only intend to report an unconfirmed claim, fact can unintentionally imply that you accept it. Choose the noun to match the assessment of the information you wish to express.
Other nouns can introduce that-clauses for unconfirmed information: the claim that, the rumour that, the idea that, the suggestion that, the belief that. They do not assert that the clause is true, so they are compatible with saying that it has not yet been proved.
This also explains the argumentative pattern The fact that … doesn’t mean …: it accepts a fact but rejects an inference from it.
The fact that the harbour never froze impressed the old sailors.
The fact that the harbour never froze impressed the old sailors.
The speaker presents the harbour’s failure to freeze as a fact that impressed the sailors.
The rumour that the school will close has not been confirmed.
The rumour that the school will close has not been confirmed.
Use rumour, not fact, for unconfirmed information.
The fact that the film is long doesn't make it boring.
The fact that the film is long doesn't make it boring.
The sentence accepts a fact while rejecting a conclusion from it.
Agreement and unnecessary words
The phrase’s head noun is fact, so when the whole phrase is the subject, the main verb is singular: The fact that prices are rising is worrying. Plural prices inside the clause does not control the main verb. Do not add a pronoun after the subject phrase: The fact that she left early it surprised us is incorrect because the subject has already been expressed.
Keep that in this pattern; it is the standard form, especially in writing and formal language. You cannot replace it with what or of: The fact what… and The fact of she left… are incorrect. Fact of works with a noun or -ing form (the fact of the delay, the fact of being late), not a complete finite clause.
The fact that the reports are unclear is a problem for the board.
The fact that the reports are unclear is a problem for the board.
Is agrees with fact; are belongs to the embedded clause.
The fact that he arrived late did not bother anyone.
The fact that he arrived late did not bother anyone.
No extra pronoun follows the subject phrase.
The fact of the delay was reported in the morning.
The fact of the delay was reported in the morning.
Fact of + noun is a separate construction without a clause.
Weight, register and restraint
The fact that is natural in writing and conversation, particularly when highlighting a fact: The fact that you came means a lot. Long expressions such as because of the fact that or in spite of the fact that can often be shortened to because or although. Choose according to the emphasis and style you need.
Do not repeat the bulky construction mechanically. There is no fixed limit per paragraph: retain the fact that when it helps the structure or emphasis, and simplify it where it adds nothing.
This lesson does not cover that-clauses after verbs (I think that…), extraposition with it (It is clear that…) or what-clauses (What I need is…). Those belong to neighbouring rules; here the focus is the noun phrase the fact that.
Although it was late, they kept working.
Although it was late, they kept working.
A straightforward, less formal way to express concession.
In spite of the fact that the hour was late, they kept working.
In spite of the fact that the hour was late, they kept working.
The same meaning, with a heavier and more formal tone.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:In spite of that the road was closed, we continued.
Correct:In spite of the fact that the road was closed, we continued.
In spite of takes a noun phrase; the clause without the fact that does not supply the required noun phrase.
Incorrect:Despite of the fact that she was tired, she finished the report.
Correct:Despite the fact that she was tired, she finished the report.
Despite already means in spite of, so do not add of.
Incorrect:The fact that prices are rising are worrying.
Correct:The fact that prices are rising is worrying.
The subject’s head noun is singular fact; plural prices occurs inside the embedded clause.
Incorrect:The fact that the meeting was cancelled it surprised us.
Correct:The fact that the meeting was cancelled surprised us.
The fact that + clause already forms the subject, so it duplicates it.
Incorrect:Because the fact that the road was icy, the bus stopped.
Correct:Because of the fact that the road was icy, the bus stopped.
The fact that introduces a noun phrase, so it needs prepositional because of, not the conjunction because.
Incorrect:We ignored the fact what the deadline had moved.
Correct:We ignored the fact that the deadline had moved.
After the fact, introduce the clause with that; what is not possible here.