Using lo de que + conjugated verb / lo de + noun / infinitive / adverb to refer to something already mentioned.

Hola Andrew,

In this sentence, "lo de" is linked to an adverb, "antes", not the rest of the sentence after. We have a similar example in the lesson with "Lo de ayer, ¿es verdad? (What happened yesterday, is it true?)

With "Lo de que..." we need a whole subordinate clause that is linked to that "lo de que".  You will find two conjugated verbs, one for the subordinate and one for the main clause.

"Lo de que me caso con Cristina es broma." (That thing about me marrying Cristina is a joke.)

Here we are having two verbs, one linked to "lo de que" (me caso) and the main verb in the main clause "es". 

However we could say pretty much the same thing with "Lo de" but see how the structure changes:

"Lo de mi boda con Cristina es broma." (That thing about marrying Cristina is a joke.[boda means weeding]). This only needs one verb, "es".

Is this a bit clearer?

Let us know

Inma

Yes, I understand it.  Your excellent explanation is very clear and very much appreciated!

Hola Gary,

If it was only the noun, "María", then you'd need "Lo de María" but we have here a whole sentence with a conjugated verb. It may be confusing to see this in the lesson as we say:

Lo de que + conjugated verb

So I will slightly change the text in the lesson accordingly saying that the conjugated verb can be preceded by its subject, to make it clearer.

I hope this helped,

Gracias y un saludo,

Inma

But then there is this: Lo de la prohibición de las corridas de toros, ha creado controversia..

This is a whole sentence with a verb so why isn't it, Lo de que  la prohibición de las corridas de toros, ha creado controversia...?

Hola Gary

Sorry we missed this other query. Here in this sentence:

"Lo de la prohibición de las corridas de toros, ha creado controversia. 

we have "lo de" plus a noun (la prohibición). If we were using "lo de que...", as Robin mentioned previously, we would have a subordinate clause. See how a similiar sentence would work with "lo de que":

"Lo de que las autoridades hayan prohibido las corridas de toros, ha creado controversia."

You have here a whole clause after "que", and then after the comma you have the main verb "ha creado". 

In the first sentence, "Lo de la prohibición de las corridas de toros, ha creado controversia." there is no subordinate clause. There is only one main verb. 

"The ban on bullfighting (subject) has caused (erb) some controversy."

I hope this makes it clearer.

Sorry about the delay.

Saludos

Inma