Noun Clauses

Definition :

            A noun clause is an entire clause which takes the place of a noun in another clause or phrase. Like a noun, a noun clause acts as the subject or object of a verb or the object of a preposition, answering the questions "who(m)?" or "what?".

Examples:

o   Noun : “ I know Latin “.

o   Noun Clause : “ I know that Latin is no longer spoken as a native language “.

In the first example, the noun "Latin" acts as the direct object of the verb "know." In the second example, the entire clause "that Latin ..." is the direct object.

            In fact, many noun clauses are indirect questions:

o   Noun : “ Their destination is unknown “.

o   Noun clause :  “ Where they are going is unknown “.

The question "Where are they going?," with a slight change in word order, becomes a noun clause when used as part of a larger unit -- like the noun "destination," the clause is the subject of the verb "is."

Here are some more examples of noun clauses:

o   About what you bought at the mall

This noun clause is the object of the preposition "about," and answers the question "about what?"

o   Whoever broke the vase will have to pay for it

This noun clause is the subject of the verb "will have to pay," and answers the question "who will have to pay?"

o   The Toronto fans hope that the Blue Jays will win again.

This noun clause is the object of the verb "hope," and answers the question "what do the fans hope?".

Noun-Clause Starters

"We use various words to start noun clauses. . . .

"These words include the word that, which in its role as a noun clause starter is not a relative pronoun, for it serves no grammatical role in the clause; it just starts the clause.

For example:

o   The committee stated that it would follow the agent's policy. Here the noun clause serves the noun role of direct object of the transitive verb stated. But a careful look at the clause reveals that the word that does not serve any role within the clause, other than simply to get it going.

"Other noun clause starters do serve grammatical roles within the clause.

For example:

o   We know who caused all the trouble. Here the noun clause starter is the relative pronoun who. Notice that inside the noun clause who serves as the grammatical subject of the verb caused.

"Additional words serve as noun clause starters. A relative adverb can get one going: How he won the election mystified the pundits. So can a relative pronoun acting as an adjective: We know which career she will pursue. In these two sentences, how is an adverb modifying the verb won, and which is a relative-pronoun-adjective modifying the noun career." (C. Edward Good, A Grammar Book for You and I--Oops, Me!. Capital Books, 2002)

The meaning of a Noun Clause :

A noun clause does the work of a noun in a sentence or phrase. It is a group of words containing a subject and a finite verb of its own.

Some Rules: noun clauses usually begin with words like how, why, what, where, when, who, that, which, whose, whether, etc. Also words like whoever, whenever, whatever and wherever

There are therefore just three basic types of noun clauses:

·         those that start with a question word such as where, how, who, when and why

·         those that start with whether, whatever etc or if

·         those that start with that.

Examples of the noun clause:

·         Where does John live?

·         If John buys a Ferrari

·         That Mr. Smith is a good teacher

·         You really do not want to know what Mrs. Smith gives her husband for dinner
(what "Mrs. Smith gives her husband for dinner" is the noun clause)