Noun Clauses

Grammar 4

What is a noun clause?

A noun clause is a dependent clause that can occur in the same
place as a noun or a noun phrase in a sentence.
A noun clause contains a subject and a verb but does not
express a complete thought.
Example:
I didnt know that he had my keys.

That Noun Clauses

A noun clause can begin with that.
The word that can be omitted in speaking but is usually
included in writing
Example:
I think (that) he called you about an hour ago.

That Noun Clauses

That noun clauses can also follow certain adjectives when the
adjective refers to a person.
Example: Jan is happy (that) Bob called.
That noun clauses commonly follow adjectives in sentences that
begin with It + be.
Example: It is clear (that) Ann likes her new job.

That Noun Clauses

That noun clauses in the subject position are not commonly
used.
It is more common to use the fact that or it is a fact that to
begin the noun clause in the subject position. Examples:
The fact (that) Ann likes grammar is clear.
It is a fact (that) Ann likes grammar.

Noun Clauses Beginning with a Question Word

Noun clauses that begin with a question word are also called
Embedded Questions
What did he say? I didnt hear what he said.
When do they arrive? I dont know when they arrive.
Does, did, and do are used in questions but not in noun
clauses.

When the question word is the subject

If the question word is the subject, the word order is the same
in the question and in the noun clause.
Example:
What happened?

I dont know what happened.

Who lives there?

Im not sure who lives there.

When the noun clause is the subject

What did she say?
What should they do?

What she said surprised me.

What they should do is obvious.

When the noun clause is the subject, it takes a singular verb

(for example, is).

When the subject isnt the question word

The subject of the noun clause always comes before the verb.
Who are those students?
Where is the class?

I wonder who those students are.

I dont know where the class is.

In these examples, the subject of the question is placed in front of the

be verb.

Questions and Statements

These noun clauses follow the same patterns in questions and in
statements.
This is the same for wh-questions and yes/no embedded questions.
main question/statement | interrogative | subject | verb | object/complement

Do you know | what | time | it | is?

I don't know | what | time | it | is.

Noun Clauses,
Day 2

Noun Clauses
A noun clause can be a subject of a verb:
What Billy did shocked his friends.
A noun clause can be an object of a verb:
Billys friends didnt know that he couldnt swim.
A noun clause can be an object of a preposition:
Mary is not responsible for what Billy did.
A noun clause can be an adjective complement:

If and Whether
When a yes/no question is changed to a noun
clause, whether and if are used.

Whether
-

More common in written or

academic English

If
-

More common in spoken

English

If and Whether
Will she come to class?
I dont know whether she will come to class.
I dont know if she will come to class.
Does he need help with the assignment?
I wonder whether he needs help with the assignment.
I wonder if he needs help with the assignment.

If and Whether + Or not

Will she come to class?
I dont know whether (or not) she will come to class (or not).
I dont know if she will come to class or not.
Does he need help with the assignment?
I wonder whether (or not) he needs help with the assignment (or not).
I wonder if he needs help with the assignment not.

Whether in Noun Clauses - Subject Position

Whether noun clauses can be in subject position:
Whether he did the homework is not certain.
Whether or not she comes to class, there will be a test.