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12/3/1010
Noun Clauses
Noun Clause from statements are introduce by the conjunction that. They
may have nominal function except that of object of a preposition. That noun
clauses are used as subjects of sentences only with certain verbs (e.g. the linking
verbs, causative verbs, and verbs expressing emotions).
That noun clause subjects occur less frequently in subject position that in
predicate position after anticipatory.
Those noun clauses take place most frequently as objects of verbs. Such
verbs usually have subjects that refer to human beings. They are mostly verbs of
indirect speech (e.g. admit assert, claim, swear, aver) and verbs expressing
mental activities (e.g. grant, feel, forget, wish, conclude, dream).
PESTRICTVE CLAUSES: Such clauses are in apposition with nouns derived from
verbs or adjectives that normally take that clauses.
He carefully concealed his indignation that he was not given the
appointment he had asked for.
Omission of THAT
That clauses after the verb wish often contain subjective forms similar to
those in unreal conditions. These forms are used when the wish is difficult to
realize.
1. The wish refers to present time (past subjunctive form):
I wish (that) I were at the beach now.
2. The wish refers to past time (past perfect form):
I wish (or wished) (that) I had been at the beach yesterday.
- Noun clauses derived from questions can perform any function that a
noun can fulfill, including object of a preposition. Subject noun clauses
derived from questions appear with many of the same main verbs as do
clauses derived from statements.
Balsam Amarna
12/3/1010
How the fire started I a mystery to me.
Also, noun clauses from questions may serve as objects of prepositions
after adjectives, verbs, or nouns. And they may function as one or both objects
after verbs that take double objects.
Whether
Interrogative Words
Noun clauses from questions may begin with interrogative words
functioning as :
1. Pronoun
2. adjective
3. adverbs
As in direct questions, the forms of who and whoever in noun clauses are
determined by the function of these pronouns.
The use of the pronoun who in noun clause is more limited that that of
whoever. Who does not appear in noun clause subjects. Who in noun clause
objects occur mainly after some verbs of indirect speech or mental activity.
Introductory what or whatever may appear in all noun functions. The –ever
forms are often interchangeable with what, depending on the degree of generality
desire. Also, in older style the pronoun who was used in sentences that today
would require whoever.
Noun clauses from requests are introduced by that, just like noun clauses
from statements. Such clauses take place merely as objects of verbs that often
combine with the idea of requesting some degree of urgency, advisability or
desirability. Also, the verbs in noun clauses from requests usually take present
subjunctive form.
Balsam Amarna
12/3/1010
The doctor recommended that he take a vacation.
Noun Clauses appear in the same position as nouns, that is, subjects
appear before the verb, objects after the verb, etc. Like nouns, noun clause
objects may occupy primary place for larger emphasis.
Why he had to buy three suits instead of one I’ll never understand.
There is no punctuation sets off noun clauses in these function, just like no
punctuation sets off nouns as objects.
He said that he had lost his wallet.
He asked why she had done that.
- Questions marks or exclamation marks are dropped from noun clauses made
from questions or exclamations.
Most people feel that she won’t succeed in that job, but I know that she
will.
This kind of abridgment clause has as its “subject” either (1) the subject of the
main clause, as in the above example, or (2) the subject of the main verb- He told
me when to go.