Noun Clauses_B1+

PAGES 30-31

UNIT 2

Noun Clauses

A noun clause is connected to an independent clause and serves the same purpose in a sentence as a noun. A dependent, or subordinate, clause contains a subject and a verb or verb phrase but does not express a complete thought. As a result, it cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Examples

I like what I see.

A noun clause has a subject and a verb.

I like innovation.

Noun.

What I say is true.

A noun clause has a subject and a verb.

His word is true.

Noun.

thatif / whether wh- word: why, how, when, where, which, what wh- ever: whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever

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Subject of a Verb

The noun clause itself performs the action in the sentence.

For example:

• What Alicia said made her friends cry.
• What Megan wrote surprised her family.
• How the boy behaved was not very polite.

Ask yourself these questions to find the noun clauses.

• What made her friends cry? (What Alicia said)
• What surprised her family? (What Megan wrote)
• What was not very polite? (How the boy behaved)

That vs What

What Megan wrote surprised her family. That Megan wrote surprised her family.

(Meaning: the information that Megan wrote is what surprised the family. What refers to something in specific.)

(Meaning: the idea that Megan wrote is what surprised the family. That just introduces the clause.)

What they disagreed on pay issues is a leading factor in the decision to strike.

(This is grammatically incorrect because it is missing something.In what they disagreed on pay issues is a leading factor in the decision to strike. In what refers to the specific reasons.)

That they disagreed on pay issues is a leading factor in the decision to strike.

(Meaning: the fact that they disagreed on pay issues is what caused the strike. That just introduces the clause.)

Object of a Sentence

Noun clauses can act as the direct object of a verb. They follow verbs to inform the reader where the action is going.

For example:

• The pharmacist checked that the prescription was correct.
• He didn't know why the stove wasn't working.
• They now understand that you should not cheat on a test.

These are questions you would use to find the direct object.

• What did the pharmacist check? (that the prescription was correct)
• What didn't he know? (why the stove wasn't working)
• What do they understand now? (that you should not cheat on a test)

* Try replacing each noun clause with the word it.The pharmacist checked it.

Subject Complement

A subject complement modifies, describes or completes the subject of a clause.

For example:

• Carlie's problem was that she didn't practice enough.
• Harry's crowning achievement at school was when he became class president.
• Darla's excuse for being late was that she forgot to set her alarm.

These are questions you would use to find the subject complement.

• What was Carlie's problem? (That she didn't practice enough)
• What was Harry's crowning achievement? (When he became class president)
• What was Darla's excuse for being late? (That she forgot to set her alarm)

These noun clauses provide more information about the subjects of their sentence. Notice that in each case, the verb is a form of to be.

Object of a Preposition

Noun clauses also act as objects of a preposition in prepositional phrases.

For example:

• Harry is not the best provider of what Margie needs.
• Josephine is not responsible for what Alex decided to do.
• Allie’s research report is about how Marie Curie discovered radium.

By asking the appropriate questions, you will recognize the object of a preposition.

• Harry is not the best provider of what? (What Margie needs)
• Josephine is not responsible for what? (What Alex decided to do)
• Allie’s report is about what? (How Marie Curie discovered radium)

Adjective Complement

These noun clauses complement an adjective or adverb.

For example:

• It’s very disappointing that you left the party early.
• They're perfectly happy wherever they live now.
• Geoffrey runs so fast that he can outrun his dog.

Ask yourself these questions to find the noun clauses working as the complement of an adjective.

• What is disappointing? (That you left the party early)
• What are they happy about? (Wherever they live now)
• How fast does Geoffrey run? (So fast that he can outrun his dog)

PRACTICE

Combine the following sentences and questions with noun clauses.

1. Ask that man. + Where is the post office? 2. Could you please tell me. + Where is the bathroom? 3. The boss asked. + Were you feeling ill? 4. My aunt revealed. + Where did my uncle go? 5. She wondered. + Who gave him the book? 6. Ask your students. + Did they understand the book? 7. We have no clue (about). + Where is the party? 8. Please inquire (about). + Does he want cheddar or Gouda? 9. Do you know? + What time does train leave? 10. Can you find out? + Is your friend a vegetarian?

PRACTICESNOUN CLAUSES

Change the question into a Noun Clause.

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Extra Material / Wh- noun clauses

Practice