Sentences starting with "THAT"

[Beena]

Can we start our sentences with that? Will it be too informal?

1. That you would back out was certain.
2. That she would fail everybody knew.

Are they grammatically correct?

Many a thank

Beena

[Yankee]

Hi Beena

Sentences written this way usually sound more formal rather than informal.

The first half of the sentence would be the subject of the sentence.

1. That you would back out was certain. --> OK

2. That she would fail everybody knew. --> Not OK.
Suggested change:
That she would fail was expected by everybody.

Amy