Grammar: Noun Clause.

Question

Is the first bolded sentence in response to the question grammatical?

What's the occasion?

a. The occasion is there is a late-night festival at the viaduct.

If this makes sense, then it must be reduced from b, right? Because what follows 'is' must be a dependent, noun clause...

b. The occasion is that there is a late-night festival at the viaduct.

Please ignore what I think would be the more standard way to say this:

c. The occasion is a late-night festival at the viaduct.

Thanks

Deborah_d · Accepted Answer

I agree - b. is grammatical and a. is not - but it is used, so it's a contraction of b.

Avangi · Answer

a. The occasion is there is a late-night festival at the viaduct.

b. The occasion is that there is a late-night festival at the viaduct.

c. The occasion is a late-night festival at the viaduct.

English 1b3Please ignore what I think

That's a big order, my friend.

I think "problem" has the same problem. When a complete clause follows, it sounds lower register.

The problem is your hair.

The problem is your hair is too long.

The problem is that your hair is too long.

I'm never sure what may legally be ellipsed.

There are many cases in which the conjunction may be dropped.
Clarity is usually the criterion, but I don't think it's the only one.

Grammar: Noun Clause.

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