NOUN CLAUSES See The Sentence for definitions of sentence, clause, and dependent clause. A sentence which contains just one clause is called a simple sentence. A sentence which contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses is called a complex sentence. (Dependent clauses are also called subordinate clauses.) There are three basic types of dependent clauses: adjective clauses, adverb clauses, and noun clauses. (Adjective clauses are also called relative clauses.) This page contains information about noun clauses. Also see Adjective Clauses and Adverb Clauses.
Remember 1. A noun is a part of speech. 2. Subjects and objects are parts of a sentence. 3. Nouns function as subjects or objects. 4. Therefore: Nouns = subjects or objects
Dependent signals which introduce noun clauses Who Whom Whose Which That if Whether What When Where How Why And various forms of "-ever": Whoever Whenever Whatever Wherever
Examples The students don't know whether or not they can stay awake during the lecture. (This is a noun clause used as a direct object)
Although I respected what the teacher said, I disagreed with his conclusion. (Wow, this is tricky. This is a noun clause inside an adverb clause. The adverb clause is "Although I respected what the teacher said." The verb of the clause is "respected." The subject of the clause is "I." The direct object of the clause is "what the teacher said.")
Anyone who says that English teachers are boring will be punished. (This is another tricky one. This is a noun clause inside an adjective clause. The adjective clause is "who says that English teachers are boring." The verb of the adjective clause is "says." The subject of the clause is "who." The object of the adjective clause is "that English teachers are boring." Isn't that neat? Doesn't that make you want to become an English teacher? Or at least marry one?)
A 1.
Noun clauses can begin with … … a question word: where he lives what one says who the man is how she survives
2.
… “whether” or “if” whether she will stay if she will stay
3.
… a question word + TO infinitive what to say where to meet
4.
… “that” that he is innocent that she knows three languages
e.g. That she worked hard for the whole term pleased her parents. In this example, the whole that-clause is the subject of the sentence. Instead of “that” we can also use the belief that, the fact that, the idea that, the evidence that. e.g. The fact that the economic growth rate is lower than the population growth rate causes problems. e.g. The idea that the teacher should dominate in the classroom is unacceptable. However, if the subject is too long, it may be difficult for the reader to understand the sentence. To solve this problem, we use the introductory “it”, which takes the position of the subject in the sentence and signals that a noun clause is to follow. e.g. Instead of That she worked hard for the whole term pleased her parents. we can write It pleased her parents that she worked hard for the whole term. Note that this pattern can be used only with “that” but not with “the idea that / the fact that”.
B
Using subjunctive in noun clauses
A subjunctive verb is the simple form of a verb. Sentences with subjunctive verbs generally stress importance or urgency. e.g. I suggest (that) he see a doctor. Negative form: not + simple form of the verb e.g. I recommend that she not go to that movie. Passive form: simple form of BE + past participle e.g. It is essential that children be told the truth. When the main verb of the sentence is in past form, the verb in the noun clause is also in past form. e.g. I suggested that he saw a doctor.
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