I like Peter's, "Molly hates it that Fred isn't coming to the party", and it certainly is an improvement, but left to my own devices, I would have said, "Molly hates the fact that Fred isn't coming to the party". Peter Adams <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Meanwhile, back to Nancy's original sentence: Molly hates Fred isn't coming to the party. Does anyone think this is an improvement: Molly hates it that Fred isn't coming to the party. Peter Adams --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/