Grammatical pattern: VERB + somebody + (that) + CLAUSE

Although some very common and important verbs follow this pattern (for example, “tell,” “show,” “remind”), this is a limited pattern that only a relatively small set of verbs follow. (See list below.) Some verbs that seem as if they might follow this pattern do not actually follow it but instead require a preposition such as “to” or “for” before the “somebody.”  For example, with the verb “prove,” we cannot say *“She proved them that her idea would work.” We must say “She proved to them that her idea would work.” The verbs “explain,” “indicate,” and “suggest” are some of the other verbs that require the use of the preposition “to.”  (See the pattern [VERB + to somebody/something + OBJECT] for further information.)

Verbs that follow the pattern  [VERB + somebody + (that) + CLAUSE]

advise, alert, assure, convince, guarantee, inform, notify, persuade, promise, reassure, remind, show, teach, tell, warn, write

Additional examples of the pattern [VERB + somebody + (that) + CLAUSE]

I persuaded them that it was a good idea.

The front desk clerk informed us that the hotel pool was closed.

She reminded me that my paper was due next week.

The doctor advised her that she needed to take her pills consistently.

He taught us that we should always use our turn signals even if no car is behind us.

She wrote her mother that she would be coming home soon.