Factive predicates¶
Factive Verbs¶
These verbs typically express:
Cognition
Perception
Psychological emotion.
The matrix subject experiences or discovers the fact.
Max realized [that he had left his keys in the car].
She regrets [that she declined the job offer].
The investigators discovered [that the data had been altered].
I forgot [that we had a meeting scheduled for today].
They know [that the strategy is risky].
The Test: Negating any of these matrix verbs leaves the bracketed clause completely intact as a true statement. (“Max did not realize…” → he still left his keys in the car).
Factive adjectives (extraposed)¶
Extraposed subject construction
Factive adjectives most commonly appear in extraposed structures where dummy “it” occupies the subject position, and the content clause is moved to the end of the sentence for end-weight.
It is fortunate [that the storm missed the coastline].
It is strange [that the store is closed on a Tuesday].
It is tragic [that the historic building burned down].
It is obvious [that they did not prepare for the interview].
It is significant [that the inflation rate has dropped].
Factive adjectives (canonical)¶
Canonical subject position.
Consider well: this one puts cognitive load.
You can pack information differently by placing the content clause directly in the canonical subject position.
This structural choice shifts the focus entirely to the evaluation at the end of the sentence.
[That she won the championship] is remarkable.
[That he refused to sign the contract] was telling.
[That the experiment succeeded on the first try] is extraordinary.