Noun Phrases 2: The Fact That, the Claim That and the Decision To
By the end: I can build noun complements and link ideas without changing an allegation into a fact or obscuring who made a decision.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Before you start
Compare the fact that the file was missing with the claim that the file was missing. What commitment changes?
Useful background: Noun clauses; relative clauses; existing Noun Phrases and Nominalisation lesson.
Choose a noun that preserves the status of the information
Fact, claim, possibility and concern frame the following proposition differently. A that-clause can give the noun’s content. Selecting a stronger noun can quietly change the speaker’s commitment.
We discussed the claim that the attachment was missing.
The possibility that the date might change worried the group.
Express the content of a decision
A to-infinitive can state what a decision, plan or intention concerns. Make the decision-maker clear when it matters; do not make a noun phrase hide responsibility.
Maya’s decision to postpone the meeting surprised us.
The plan to check the figures first was practical.
Distinguish content from a relative description
In the claim that the file was missing, the clause supplies the claim’s content. In the claim that surprised us, that has a role inside the relative clause. Reference nouns such as this decision should point clearly to the intended preceding idea.
The claim that surprised us concerned the old file.
Maya postponed the review. This decision gave us time to check the figures.
Does the clause give content or identify the claim?
The file was missing is a complete proposition. The clause states what the claim says.
That represents the claim as the subject of surprised: the claim surprised us.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare the meaning and form; the model is one possible answer.
1. Choose a cautious noun phrase for an unverified report: The attachment may have been missing.
Compare a model and explanation
the possibility that the attachment was missing
Possibility avoids presenting the absence as an established fact.
2. Turn Maya decided to delay the review into a noun phrase with explicit agency.
Compare a model and explanation
Maya’s decision to delay the review
The possessive retains the decision-maker.
3. Explain the difference between the fact that the file was deleted and the claim that the file was deleted.
Compare a model and explanation
Fact presents deletion as established in the speaker’s framing; claim attributes a proposition without necessarily endorsing it.
A change in the head noun can change evidential commitment.
4. Identify the content clause: the claim that the file was missing / the claim that surprised us.
Compare a model and explanation
The claim that the file was missing contains the content clause.
The complete proposition states what the claim says; the other that fills a role in a relative clause.
5. Use a clear reference noun: Maya delayed the meeting. ___ gave us time to check the figures.
Compare a model and explanation
This decision / This delay
Both can refer clearly to the preceding action, with slightly different emphasis.
6. Repair unsupported strengthening in the project note: The fact that Ben lost the attachment explains the delay.
Compare a model and explanation
Ben’s claim that the attachment was missing has not been verified. Maya delayed the review so the team could check.
The note neither proves absence nor says Ben lost anything.
7. Explain why the decision to cancel may be insufficient when two people disagree about who decided.
Compare a model and explanation
The phrase gives the decision’s content but not necessarily its maker; name the person or group if responsibility matters.
Nominalisation should not hide a relevant actor.
8. Write a two-sentence summary using a full clause followed by a precise reference noun.
Compare a model and explanation
Maya postponed the review until Friday. This postponement gives the team time to compare the two files.
The second sentence connects to the exact preceding event.
A short conversation
Listen first if you can, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: Can I write the fact that the attachment was missing?
B: Not yet. We only have Ben’s claim that it was missing.
A: Then I’ll describe Maya’s decision to postpone the review while we check.
B: Good. That wording keeps the decision clear without treating the claim as proven.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have their own score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer in each situation. Your score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking task 1
Summarise the project note using one claim noun phrase, one decision noun phrase and one clear reference noun.
Reveal a possible response
Ben’s claim that the attachment was missing has not been checked. Maya’s decision to postpone the review gives us time to compare the files. This postponement should make the discussion more useful.
Success check: Preserve attribution, agency and the difference between an expectation and a fact.
Speaking task 2
Compare two versions of an account, one overconfident and one carefully framed.
Reveal a possible response
Calling the absence a fact would overstate what we know. Calling it Ben’s claim reports his account while leaving the verification question open.
Success check: Explain the exact semantic change rather than simply calling one version more formal.
Speaking task 3
Turn a dense noun-heavy sentence into clear clauses, then rebuild one useful noun phrase.
Reveal a possible response
Maya decided to postpone the review because the file needed checking. Maya’s decision to postpone it was therefore easy to identify, without hiding who acted.
Success check: Use nominalisation only where it helps organisation and preserves responsibility.
Take it with you
I can build noun complements and link ideas without changing an allegation into a fact or obscuring who made a decision.