Explanation of Noun Clauses in English

Noun clauses are clauses that function as nouns. Remember that clauses can be either dependent or independent. Noun clauses, like nouns, can be used as either subjects or objects. Noun clauses are therefore dependent clauses and as subject or object cannot stand alone as a sentence. Nouns Are Subjects or Objects Baseball is an interesting sport. Noun: Baseball subjectTom would like to buy that book. Noun: Book object Noun Clauses Are Subjects or Objects I like what he said. Noun clause: ... what he said objectWhat he bought was awful: Noun clause: What he bought ... subject Noun Clauses Can Also Be an Object of a Preposition Im not looking for what he likes. Noun clause: ... what he likes object of preposition forWe decided to look into how much it costs. Noun clause: ... how much it costs objects of preposition into Noun Clauses as Complements Noun clauses can play the role of a subject complement. Subject complements provide a further description,\ or clarification of a subject. Harrys problem was that he couldnt make a decision.Noun clause: ... that he couldnt make a decision. subject complement of problem describing what the problem was The uncertainty is whether he will attend or not.Noun clause: ... whether he will attend or not. subject complement of uncertainty describing what is uncertain Noun clauses can play the role of an adjective complement. Adjective complements often provide a reason why someone or something is a certain way. In other words, adjective compliments provide additional clarification to an adjective. I was upset that she couldnt come.Noun clause: ... that she couldnt come adjective complement explaining why I was upset Jennifer seemed angry that he refused to help her.Noun clause: ... that he refused to help her. adjective complement explaining why Jennifer seemed angry Noun Clause Markers Markers are what introduce noun clauses. These markers include: that if, whether (for yes / no questions) Question words (how, what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why) Ever words beginning with wh(however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever) Examples: I didnt know that he was coming to the party. Could you tell me whether she can help us. The question is how to finish on time. Im sure I will enjoy whatever you cook for dinner. Noun Clauses Used with Common Phrases Noun clauses beginning with question words or if/whether are often used with common phrases such as: I dont know ... I cant remember ... Please tell me ... Do you know ... This use of noun clauses is also known as indirect questions. In indirect questions, we use a phrase to introduce a question with a short phrase and turn the question into a noun clause in statement order. When will he return? Noun clause / indirect question: I dont know when he will return. Where are we going? Noun clause / indirect question: I cant remember where we are going. What time is it? Noun clause / indirect question: Please tell me what time it is. When does the plan arrive? Noun clause / indirect question: Do you know when the plane arrives? Yes / No Questions Yes / no questions can be expressed as noun clauses using if/whether: Are you coming to the party? Noun clause / indirect question: I dont know if you are coming to the party. Is it expensive? Noun clause / indirect question: Please tell me whether it is expensive. Have they lived there long? Noun clause / indirect question: Im not sure if they have lived there long. Special Case of That The noun marker that which introduces noun clauses is the only marker that can be dropped. This is only true if that is used to introduce a noun clause in the middle or at the end of the sentence. Tim didnt know that she was available. OR Tim didnt know she was available.