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.
[Whoever wrote the graffiti] needs grammar lessons.
[…] = noun acting as the subject
Another example:
My dog eats things.
The individual noun things is the direct object for eats. If we want to give more detail, we can replace the noun things with a more descriptive noun clause. Not only do noun clauses contain an extra verb for more details, they can also include other words like adverbs and prepositional phrases.
My dog eats whatever (s) falls (v) on the floor.
They start with Relative pronouns
who
what
where
when
why
how
that
which
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
The creatures could [see] whether it (s) was (v) day or night.
The team didn’t [know] if they (s) could win (v).
Noun clause examples: Indirect object
In sentences with transitive verbs, indirect objects receive the direct object. They typically come between the verb and the direct object.
She (s) told (v) her sad story (do).
She (s) told (v) Tony (ind obj) her sad story (do).
She (s) told (v) [whoever would listen](ind obj) her sad story (do).
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 for being late [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.
Grammar Monster explanation
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 = Whatever your wish
linking verb = is
Object (noun clause) = 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)
Lots of noun clauses start with…
- “that,”
- “how,”
- or a “wh”-word (i.e., “what,” “who,” “which,” “when,” “where,” or “why”).
For example:
- I know that it happened.
- I know how it happened.
- I know why it happened.
THIS is because
I know that.
I know how.
I know why.
I know where.
I know when.
I know who.
are all valid sentences. All we have to do is to replace the that, how, why, where, when, who, with a clause and it would be valid also. This is the essence of the noun clause.
If we were to go the other way, let’s we can replace a clause with a pronoun to check for validity.
You can check if your phrase or clause is functioning as a noun like this:
What I say is true.
It is true.
This proves that “What I say” is functioning as a noun.
Examples:
I know that the story is true.
I saw how the accident has happened.
I understand why it was necessary.
I know who said that.
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:
Ask your child (indirect obj) what he wants for dinner (direct obj) only if he’s buying.
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.”
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
Noun Clause vs Noun Phrase
NOUN CLAUSE
subj – The gas station clerk
verb – told
indirect object – us
direct object – how we can go from Main Street to the highway.
(noun phrases can function as adverbials)
how we (s) can go (v) from Main Street to the highway
[from Main Street to the highway] acts as adverb to describe ‘go’.
NOUN PHRASE
subj – The gas station clerk
verb – told
indirect object – us
direct object – directions from Main Street to the highway.
[from Main Street to the highway] is an adjective to describe ‘directions’.