<p>Here's an sentence I came across while I was taking an SAT practice test. </p>
<p>"That" Erica dedicated so much of her time to charity work even though she cared so little about those less fortunate than she is surprising. </p>
<p>It sounds awkward to use the word "that" in the beginning, yet the answer key superficially explains that it is used properly. Can someone give me a clear, thorough explanation on how "that" is used in the beginning of a sentence?</p>
<p>“That” can be used to make an independent clause into a noun clause so that it can serve as a subject or object. For example:</p>
<p>I like to eat, which is good.</p>
<p>That I like to eat is good.</p>
<p>Thank you Silverturtle.
You are such a helpful member of this community. I wish you luck on all your future endeavors.</p>
<p>What was the answer btw?</p>
<p>thanks silverturtle. yes please, what was the answer? was it no error? or the ‘than her’?</p>
<p>That sentence has no error. “than she” and “than her” both work.</p>
<p>All of the correct verbs and subjects and such are present. This sentence has been inverted and is in passive tense, so it sounds stupid. I personally think that CB should be more realistic; this sentence is so wordy that it’s unrealistic to write it in a real-world setting. You would never come across a sentence like this EVER, unless someone wanted to be a d*****bag and assert their grammar knowledge with a crazy sentence.</p>
<p>That Erica dedicated so much of her time to charity work even though she cared so little about those less fortunate than she is surprising. </p>
<p>=</p>
<p>It is surprising that erica dedicated so much of her time to charity work even though she cared so little about those less fortunate than she.</p>
<p>“Erica dedicated…than she” is what is surprising.</p>
<p>I haven’t read your question, but for any sentence that starts with “That”
just add in “The fact” in front of that.</p>
<p>So if you see a sentence that states, “That Charlene did it was hard to believe”
is same as “The fact that Charlene did it was hard to believe”
it is implied (hope that will help whatever problem you have)</p>
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<p>The sentence is in the active voice.</p>
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<p>The sentence is not wordy; in fact, it has fewer words that your proposed economization.</p>
<p>@2chillaxin</p>
<p>Saying “I personally think…” is a redundancy. If not personally, how else do you think?</p>
<p>So is adding the phrase “The fact” in front of the sentence to see whether or not it sounds right a trick that always works with sentences starting with “that?” Because it helps me understand this question better, and I’m not great with grammar.</p>