ref –
- https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/noun_clauses.htm
- https://www.grammarly.com/blog/noun-clause/
- https://eslgrammar.org/noun-clause/
It is simply a clause that acts like a noun.
But noun clauses are a specific type of clause called a subordinate clause.
Also known as dependent clauses, subordinate clauses cannot be used alone and need to join an independent clause.
They start with Relative pronouns
start with “wh”-words such as (what, which, when, where, whether, and why)
Where: “This is [where I lost my keys].”
When: “I remember [when we first met].”
Why: “That is [why I’m here].”
How: “This is [how I do it].”
Core relative pronouns
- who
- whom
- whose
- which
- that
Let’s look at some independent clauses first:
1) I know that.
2) Add a pronoun to another independent clause.
that + [the story is true].
3) I know that the story is true.
Another example…
1) I know who.
2) Add a pronoun to another independent clause.
who + [said that]. (who acts as subject)
3) I know who said that.
Compound relative pronouns
- Whoever
- whomever
- Whichever
- whatever
Noun clause as subject
Whoever (s) wins (v) the race [gets] the trophy.
Whichever you (s) pick (v) [is] fine with me.
Noun clause as direct objects
I understand [(what) you mean].
The chef demonstrated [(how) to make perfect eggs].
Noun clause examples: Indirect object
The judge (s)
gave （v）
(whoever) witnessed the crime(indirect object)
a chance to speak (direct object).
She(s)
will send (v)
(whoever) RSVPs (indirect object)
a reminder email (direct object).
Direct Object: a reminder email
Indirect Object: whoever RSVPs (the noun clause)
The teacher (s)
promised (v)
whoever passed the test (indirect object)
a reward (direct object).
Noun clause examples: Prepositional object
Nouns act as objects to prepositions like on, about, or for. Together the preposition and its object form a prepositional phrase.
on is a preposition. What comes after is the prepositional object.
Our suspect depends [on] who (s) owns (v) the murder weapon.
about is a preposition. What comes after is the prepositional object.
The people want to hear [about] why you’re (s) running (v) for congress.
Noun clause examples: Predicate nominative (subject complement)
Predicate nominatives are nouns that follow linking verbs like be or seem. Instead of describing an action like other verbs, linking verbs describe the subject—the action is simply existing.
His reason [was] that his cat (s) got (v) sick.
Keep in mind the relative pronoun that is often optional and can be removed from a sentence. In the next example, it is still assumed but not stated.
His reason for being late [was] his cat (s) got (v) sick.
Definition of “Clause”:
A clause has a subject and a verb and functions as one part of speech.
A noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence.
Example 1:
Subj (noun clause) = [Whatever] you wish
linking verb = is
Object = my command
Our subj is a clause (has subj and verb)
Clause = Whatever you (subj) wish (verb)
Example 2:
subj = I
verb = know
Object (noun clause) = [where] the treasure is
Clause = Where the treasure (subj) is (verb)
The Function of Noun Clauses
Like any noun, a noun clause can be a subject, an object, or a complement.
Whoever smelt it dealt it.
Here, the noun clause is a subject.
noun clause – Whoever (subj) smelt (verb) it
My command is whatever you wish.
Here, the noun clause is a subject complement.
noun clause = Whatever you (subj) wish (verb).
I will give what you said (indirect obj) some thought (direct obj).
Here, the noun clause is an indirect object. That’s pretty rare.
noun clause = what you (subj) said (verb)
In a sentence, a noun clause will be a dependent clause.
example:
My father(s) asks(v) the child (indirect obj) [(what) he wants for dinner] (direct obj).
This noun clause is the direct object of “ask.”
noun clause = what he (subj) wants (verb) for dinner (obj).
example:
He knows all about art, but he doesn’t know [(what) he likes].
This noun clause is the direct object of “know.”
noun clause = what he (subj) likes (verb).
example:
It is even harder for the average ape [to believe (that) he has descended from man].
This noun clause is the direct object of “believe.”
- infinitive phrase = to believe that he has descended from man.
- infinitive phrase’s object = that he has descended from man // noun clause
- noun clause = that he (subj) has (helping verb) descended (verb) from man.
example:
Man is what he eats.
This noun clause is a subject complement.
noun clause = what he (subj) eats (verb).
example:
My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.
This noun clause is a subject complement.
noun clause = that I (subj) am (verb) not someone else
Additional Examples
that
- I know [that it happened].
- We know [that I don’t have money.]
- I know [that we’re poor].
- This is the mail [that arrived this morning].
- [That he finished the marathon] is an amazing accomplishment.
- [That he arrived late] surprised everyone.
who
- [Who you choose as your partner] is a very important decision.
- [Whoever said that money can’t buy happiness] was wrong.
- My brother, [who became sick], wanted to come over. (non-restrictive, extra info)
whom vs who
As relative (adjective)
-
As relative (adjective) clause because it describes the woman:
1) [The woman ___________ won the competition] is very talented.
2) [She] won the competition.
3) The woman who won the competition is very talented. -
As relative (adjective) clause because it describes the applicant:
1) The applicant, with ___________ we were very impressed, had an excellent portfolio.
2) We were very impressed with [him].
3) The applicant, with whom we were very impressed, had an excellent portfolio. -
As relative (adjective) clause because it describes the plumber:
1) The plumber, [___________ you said was coming this morning], didn’t show up.
2) You said [he] was coming this morning.
3) The plumber, who you said was coming this morning, didn’t show up. -
As relative (adjective) clause because it describes ‘She’:
1) She is someone [__________ you can trust].
2) You can trust him/her.
3) She is someone whom you can trust. -
As relative (adjective) clause because it describes the managers:
1) [The response of the managers ________ I have consulted] has been great.
2) I have consulted with [the managers].
3) The response of the managers whom I have consulted has been great.
‘whom’ used as part of the noun clause
- I know [whom to ask for help].
(Noun clause as object of the verb “know”)I ask (him) for help. ==> whom
-
She couldn’t decide [whom to invite to the party].
(Noun clause as object of the verb “decide”)She invites (him) to the part ==> whom
- The prize will be given to [whom the judges choose]. (Noun clause as object of the preposition “to”)
- He was curious about [whom she had spoken to on the phone]. (Noun clause as object of the preposition “about”)
- They were debating [whom to nominate for the award]. (Noun clause as object of the verb “debating”)
Whose – possession
(‘whose’ used in noun clause at the subject position)
[Whose responsibility it was] remains a mystery.
(‘whose’ used in noun clause at the subject position)
[Whose artwork will be chosen for the exhibition] will be announced tomorrow.
(Used as Adjective ‘Relative’ Clauses to modify the student)
The teacher (s)
praised (v)
[the student whose essay demonstrated original thought].
(Used as Adjective ‘Relative’ Clauses to modify the town)
We (s)
visited (v)
[the town whose history dates back to the 16th century].
(Used as Adjective ‘Relative’ Clauses to modify the witness)
The detective
questioned
[the witness whose testimony seemed unreliable].
