Dropping Prepositions Before Que

Level 6

In formal writing, many governed a, de and en prepositions disappear before que plus a finite clause.

How It Works

A verb or adjective may require a preposition before a noun but lose it before a finite que clause. Compare confio en la seva resposta with confio que respondrà, and estic segur de la resposta with estic segur que respondrà.

The finite que clause can complete an adjective as well as a verb: està convençuda que és correcte. A full nominal complement restores the preposition, as in convençuda de la validesa. Do not copy the noun's de into the direct finite-clause pattern in careful prose. If a relative follows a noun instead, its required preposition has a different job and must not be removed by this rule.

Examples (3)

  1. Està convençuda que és correcte.

    She is convinced that it is correct.

  2. Confio que arribareu a temps.

    I trust that you will arrive on time.

  3. S'adona que falta un informe.

    He realizes that a report is missing.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Dropping Prepositions Before QueLevel 6

Learn This First

Distinguish nominal and finite complements before dropping a selected preposition.

Words in This Pattern