【问】 Yet the fact is we know very little about gorillas.(New Concept English，Book 4，L.5)

…we know…gorillas是什么从句?为什么没有连词?

【答】 …we know…gorillas是个表语从句。这里省略了连词that。表语从句中的that能否省略呢?让我们引用权威英语语法著作CGEL的说法作为回答：

“When the that-clause is direct object or complement，the conjunction that is frequentlyomitted except in formal use，leaving zero that-clause…”(P. 1049)

“当that从句充当直接宾语或表语(主语补语)时，连词that常常省略，结果形成零that的从句，但是正式用法除外……”

1. All I can tell you is[ ]he gives me the creeps every time I pass him. (NCE)

我能告诉你的，就是每当我从他身旁走过时，他总是令我毛骨悚然。

2. The reason was[ ]he was afraid. (MrArthur)

原因是他害怕了。

that(conj.)8(引导同位语从句)见appositive clause，that (adv.)2