Real Grammar - Susan Conrad, Douglas Biber 2009

Verb + Noun Clause for Uncertainty
Unit 31 I don’t think it will be a problem

What have you learned from your grammar textbook?

A noun clause can be the object of a verb. Noun clauses can begin with the word that or a wh-word. The word that has no meaning in these clauses, and it is often omitted, especially in conversation.

What does the corpus show?

A

In conversation, verb + noun clause is commonly used to express a lack of certainty about an idea. The verb expresses the lack of certainty, and the noun clause expresses the idea. When ideas are certain, speakers usually state them as a simple sentence (without a verb + noun clause structure).

Lack OF Certainty: I think the stores close at four.

Certain: The stores close at four.

B

The most common “uncertainty” verbs used with that-clauses have literal meanings that refer to mental processes (such as thinking), but they are used to express different levels of doubt/certainty:

C

In conversation, most t/mt-clauses with verbs of uncertainty omit that (see Unit 32 for more about omitting that).

D

Frequency information. Expressions with I don’t know + w/iword clauses are also extremely common for expressing uncertainty. In contrast, it is rare to use I know + w/i-word clauses to express certainty.

Activities

1 Notice in context: Read the two conversations. Find all the verbs followed by noun clauses. Circle the verbs and underline the noun clauses.

1. Picking colors at the paint store.

Customer: I think it’s a pretty color.

Store Clerk: I believe your husband will be checking back with you.

Customer: Okay.

Store Clerk: He came in the door and, uh, dropped that paint brush off. I guess he didn’t have time to use it. I think he’ll be calling you to check with you about the colors. That’s the impression I got.

2. At a family gathering, looking at photos.

Pat: I can’t believe I didn’t bring my camera today. I thought I had it.

Kazem: Oh, that photo’s nice. Aren’t the girls cute? 1 think you should frame it.

Pat: I didn’t get Al. I don’t know where Al was when I was taking these.

Kazem: This was my grandfather. I don’t know who this boy was, that wasn’t me. This was my grandmother, my mother, and my oldest sister.

2 Analyze discourse: Look back at Activity 1 and at all the verbs followed by noun clauses you identified. Write the meaning of each one (uncertainty, opinion, advice, or surprise) in the margin. Draw an arrow between the structure and its meaning. Then answer the following questions about these sentences. Discuss the reasons for your choices with a partner.

1. Which ones express the most uncertainty?

2. Which one is more formal than the others?

3 Practice conversation: work with a partner to develop a dialogue for each one of the situations listed below. Person A uses a variety of / don't know followed by wh-word clauses. Person В answers with sentences that include a variety of verbs followed by noun clauses. Practice your dialogues together.

1. Trying to cook dinner with someone.

2. Deciding where to put your new furniture.

3. Talking about where to go on vacation.

4. Discussing who to invite to a party.

5. A situation of your choice!

Example

Getting lost while driving.

A: I don’t know where that shopping mall is.

В: I don’t think it’s on this street. I can’t believe we left home without a map!

A: I don’t know if we can find it, now that it’s getting dark.

В: I think you should get off at the next exit so we can ask someone for directions.

4 Practice conversation: Think about a topic that you have some questions or doubts about, it might involve a personal situation (for example, a job, choice of colleges, or where you are going to live) or a world condition (for example, global warming or world hunger). Make a few informal notes about your thoughts, opinions, and doubts. Use your notes as prompts to discuss the topic with a partner.

Example

Notes for a discussion about getting a college degree:

Certain ideas/opinions: need a degree for a good job

Less certain: college expensive here

4-year degree —> more job options?

Uncertain/doubtful: have enough money for college?

maybe other students get loans - can I?

less expensive college somewhere?

Sample opening for discussion:

A: I need a college degree for a good job, but I think it’s really expensive here. I don’t think I’ll ever have enough money for tuition.

В: I think you could get a loan.

A: I guess a lot of students get loans, but…