A noun clause is a clause that acts as a noun.

For example (noun clauses shaded):

• I like what I see.
• I know that patience has its limits.
Compare the three examples above to these:
• I like innovation.
• I know people.
The words in bold are all nouns. This proves that the shaded clauses in the first two examples are
functioning as nouns.

Noun clauses is:

• Contain a subject and a verb
• Are dependent clauses
• Function as a noun in the sentence
• Begin with words like that, what, when, or why, to name a few

A noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence. A great way to test whether a phrase or clause is
functioning as a noun is to try to replace it with a pronoun. If you can, your phrase or clause is
functioning as a noun.
• What I say is true.
(Pronoun test: "It is true." This proves that "What I say" is functioning as a noun.)
• Show me how they work.
(Pronoun test: "Show me them." This proves that "how they work" is functioning as a noun.)
Lots of noun clauses start with that, how, or a "wh"-word (what, who, which, when, where, why).
For example:
• I know that it happened.
• I know how it happened.
• I know why it happened.
1. Subject of a Verb
A noun clause can act as the subject of a verb. For example:

• What Alicia said made her friends cry.

• What Megan wrote surprised her family.
• How the boy behaved was not very polite.

2. Object of a Verb
In the same vein, noun clauses can also act as the direct object of a verb:
• She didn't realize that the directions were wrong.
• He didn't know why the stove wasn't working.
• They now understand that you should not cheat on a test.

3. Subject Complement
A noun clause can also serve as a subject complement. A subject complement will always modify,
describe, or complete the subject of a clause.
• 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.

4. Object of a Preposition
Noun clauses also act as objects of a preposition. In the examples below, you'll see the prepositions
"of" and "for" in action.
• Harry is not the best provider of what Margie needs.
• Josephine is not responsible for what Alex decided to do.
• Allie is the owner of that blue car parked outside.

5. Adjective Complement
Last but not least, a noun clause can also function as an adjective complement, modifying a verb,
adjective, or adverb.
• Jerry knows why Elaine went to the store.
• They're perfectly happy where they live now.
• Geoffrey runs so quickly that he can outrun his dog.