NOUN CLAUSES

A noun clause is a group of words acting together as a noun. As they are clauses, it is obligatory
for them to have a Subject + Verb combination. These clauses are always dependent clauses and
form complex sentences. That is, they do not form a complete sentence. Instead, they occupy the
position of a noun within the sentence. Nouns can be subject, direct object, etc so Noun Clauses can
be subject, direct object as well.
Compare:

money is a noun functioning as DIRECT OBJECT (what have I given him? Money)

the necessary money is a noun phrase functioning as DIRECT OBJECT (What have I given
him? The necessary money)

what he wanted has a subject and a verb so it is a clause. It is functioning as DIRECT OBJECT
(What have I given him? What he wanted). It is a noun clause.

HOW IS A NOUN CLAUSE FORMED?

Noun clauses can be introduced by THAT, IF, WH words (what, who(m), where, why, when, how,
whether, which, etc) or by combinations of WH words with EVER (whoever, whatever, wherever,
whichever, etc).
She asked me if I would go The question is whether you like it or not
Whoever killed her must go to prison They are interested in how we did it.
I am glad that you are here.

If you pay attention to these examples, you will see that they are all clauses (subject + verb) inside a
longer sentence; they begin with one of the words we mentioned before and the complete idea could be
replaced by a noun or noun phrase.

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 When a noun clause is introduced by a WH word, remember that you are not making a
question, but a sentence so you can’t maintain the inversion or the use of the auxiliary that we
need when we are making a question:
Compare:
Where do you live? Direct question, we need auxiliaries.
Where I live is private information Noun clause as SUBJECT. There is no question
so you keep the structure of a sentence: subject + verb
When are you leaving? Direct question, we need inversión of order.
I don’t know when you are leaving Noun clause as DIERCT OBJECT, no inversion.

WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF NOUN CLAUSES?

The noun clauses have the same functions as a noun. They are:

 SUBJECT
What she said embarrassed Tom
What I had forgotten was that I had a test today.
Whoever wants to know should ask me.

 DIRECT OBJECT
I need to know what time you are coming tomorrow.
You must choose which flavour of ice cream you want.
We don’t know who she is.

 SUBJECTIVE COMPLEMENT
My doubt is how noun clauses function.
Michael's excuse was that he had forgotten to set his alarm.
Paul isn’t what is generally considered a good friend.

 COMPLEMENT OF AN ADJECTIVE
I’m sure that you will understand.
It’s very disappointing that you left the party early.
I’m happy that you’ve decided to come.

 COMPLEMENT OF A PREPOSITION
She was angry at how he had treated her.
Sallie’s research report is about how Marie Curie discovered radium.
Sarah should not be be held accountable for what her brother does.

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HOW DO WE IDENTIFY NOUN CLAUSES?

When we are analysing a text and we need to find noun clauses, we need first to look for clauses in the
different sentences. Once we have found them, the only way to be sure that they are noun clauses if by
looking at the complete idea (sentence) and decide what function that clause is serving. If it is one
of the functions mentioned above, it is a noun clause.
Now, how can we check the functions? By looking at the complete sentence and analysing the different
elements before or after the clause. Let’s see:
 If the noun clause is the subject, then after the noun clause you need the main verb.

What she said embarrassed him

[Noun Clause] verb
The verb is after the noun clause: SUBJECT

 If the noun clause is the direct object, it comes after the main verb:

I need to know what time you are coming tomorrow.

verb [.....................Noun Clause....................]
Noun clause: DIRECT OBJECT

 If the noun clause is subjective complement, it comes after a copulative verb:

be, seem, appear, look

My doubt is how noun clauses function.

copulative [……..…Noun Clause.....…...]

verb

Noun clause: SUBJECTIVE COMPLEMENT

 If the noun clause is complement of an adjective, it comes after an adjective.

CAREFUL: after an adjective, the noun clause is always introduced by that but in most cases, that is
omitted.

I’m sure (that) you will understand.

adj. […....…Noun Clause.....…..]

Noun clause: COMPLEMENT OF AN ADJECTIVE

 If the noun clause is complement of a preposition, it comes after a preposition.

She was angry at how he had treated her.

prep [....…Noun Clause…...]

Noun clause: COMPLEMENT OF A PREPOSITION

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Some of the words introducing a noun clause can also introduce an adjective clause. But to
know if it is an adjective or a noun clause, you must look at the complete idea and analyse
the words after and before the clause. The function will tell you if it is one or the other.
Remember that the adjective clause is always following a noun and it gives information about
that noun. This does not happen with the noun clause.
Compare:
a. I didn’t like the school where I studied.
b. She asked me where I studied.

In sentence (a), where I studied is referring to the school (the noun which precedes the clause) so it
is an adjective clause, post modifier of school.

In sentence (b), where I studied is not speaking about any noun in the sentence. Besides, it comes
after the verb and the pronoun me (which is not a place). So it is a noun clause, direct object.

c. This is the house where I grew up.

d. I don’t remember where I grew up.

TWO SPECIAL CASES

■ NOUN CLAUSES AFTER CERTAIN NOUNS

We often use noun clauses after nouns derived from verbs of mental activities (believe, conclude,
recognize, imagine) or verbs of reporting (explain, mention, forecast, indicate, reveal) such as
conclusion, indication, belief, discovery, feeling, etc. We can also use nouns which are not very
specific and give general ideas, such as fact, idea, possibility. The noun clauses are used to provide
extra information or as a reminder. When we do so, that is not omitted.

For example :
Her conclusion that boys are faster is wrong.

There is a possibility that I will get on time.

The idea that Elvis is still alive keeps appearing in interviews.

In these cases, the noun clause does not need the noun to be understood but the noun is included not to
have an awkward idea such as:

That boys are faster is wrong.*

That Elvis is still alive keeps appearing in interviews*

The function of the noun clause in cases like these is that of APPOSITION. An apposition is a situation
when two nouns or clauses are together and refer to the same person or object. In our first example the
conclusion and that boys are faster (the actual conclusion) are speaking about the same idea.

Although this special use of noun clauses can be confused with adjectives clauses, the way to avoid the
mistake is by replacing that by which or who, which is acceptable in an adjective clause but is not
possible in the case of an apposition.
For example:

The story that he was in an accident is not true (*the story which he was in an accident)
NOUN CLAUSE IN APPOSITION

The story that he told us is not true = the story which he told us was not true.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE, POST MODIFIER OF STORY
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■ NOUN CLAUSES AS SUBJECTS BUT NOT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SENTENCE

Sometimes, when the subject of a sentence is a noun clause, which is longer than the predicate, we
move the real subject to the end of the sentence and we place an “empty” IT at the beginning.
For example:
That she is not coming is obvious.
It is obvious that she is not coming.

This generally happens when the predicate is formed by the verb to be or other copulative verb +
an adjective / a noun phrase / participle.

 copulative verb + an adjective

That you’re learning French is great .

It is great that you’re learning French.

 copulative verb + a noun phrase

Whether he is working on the project remains a mystery.
It remains a mystery whether he is working on the project.

 copulative verb + participle.

Where all this people has come from is unknown.

It is unknown where all this people has come from.

... The IT that we use at the beginning of the sentence and which, in fact, has no meaning, is called
... the ANTICIPATORY IT, because it “anticipates” the REAL SUBJECT.

ACTIVITIES

1 - Underline the noun clauses in the following sentences and say what their function is.

a. How the boy behaved was not very polite.

b. Josephine is not responsible for what Alex decided to do.
c. She didn't realize that the directions were wrong.
d. Billy’s mistake was that he refused to take the lessons.
e. Harry is not the best provider of what Margie needs.
f. They now understand that you should not cheat on a test.
g. I'm afraid that we don't carry that ice cream flavour any longer
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2 - In the following text, identify the noun clauses. BE CAREFUL because there are adjective
clauses, too. Once you have identified the noun clauses, identify their function.

3 - Go back to the previous text. Look for four examples of a noun clause in apposition and two
examples of real subjects

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4 - Reproduce the pattern as indicated in the examples, substituting the words given and taking
care to use the verbs correctly. Add articles, possessives, prepositions where necessary.
a) What matters to the public is success.

a.1. interest / audience / good acting.

a.2. attract / spectators / constant action.

a.3. upset / administrators / professionalism.

b) Athletes expect to be paid for what they do.

b.1. people / ought / interested in / do.

b.2. no one / like / taxed on / earn.

b.3. audience / want / entertained by / see.

5 - Now, think of an example of your own.

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6 - Change the following ideas as it is shown in the example:

They are horrified that athletes expect to be paid.
What horrifies them is that athletes expect to be paid.

a) They are surprised that amateurs demand expenses.

b) We are pleased that the children enjoy the games

c) He is annoyed that the workers want overtime payment for Sunday work.

7 - Now think of an example of your own.

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8 - Rewrite these sentences using noun clauses as indicated:

a) I want to buy a present for my mother but I don’t know what. (as OBJECT).

b) Does she like it or not? I wonder. (as OBJECT)

c) Peter is not coming. I’m sure of that (as COMPLEMENT OF AN ADJECTIVE).

d) Who stole my money? It’s a mystery (as REAL SUBJECt with anticipatory it)

e) I answered the survey “What do women like?” (as COMPLEMENT OF PREPOSITION)

f) She admitted doing something wrong. She said: “…” (as SUBJECT)

g) The way she will react is not a problem. (as SUBJECT)

h) Her only interest is his appearance. (as COMPLEMENT OF A PREPOSITION)

i) My parents learnt the truth. I surprised me (as COMPLEMENT OF ADJECTIVE)

j) This is the most important issue: Where does the pollution come from? (as SUBJECT COMPLEMENT)

KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES

1 - Underline the noun clauses in the following sentences and say what their function is.
a) How the boy behaved was not very polite. SUBJECT
b) Josephine is not responsible for what Alex decided to do. COMPL. OF PREP
c) She didn't realize that the directions were wrong. DIRECT OBJECT
d) Billy’s mistake was that he refused to take the lessons. SUBJECTIVE COMPLEMENT
e) Harry is not the best provider of what Margie needs. COMPL. OF PREP
f) They now understand that you should not cheat on a test. DIRECT OBJECT
g) I'm afraid that we don't carry that ice cream flavor any longer. COMPL OF ADJ

2 - In the following text, identify the noun clauses

Line 6That a marriage will end in divorce than continue in a loving relationship REAL SUBJECT
Line 8 if getting married is worth the effort DIRECT OBJECT
Line 9 that marriage has become a gamble with less than a 50% chance of success? APPOSITION
Line 12 what makes a successful marriage. COMPL. OF PREPOSITION
Line 20 that so many of their couples stayed together COMPL OF ADJECTIVE

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Line 21 That is was simply a matter of luck DIRECT OBJECT
Line 25 that the couple speaks with a single voice about their experiences. APPOSITION
Line 27 how past experiences are described. SUBJECTIVE COMPLEMENT
Line 32 that it was one of their best memories….time. DIRECT OBJECT
Line 38 that individuals in successful marriages tend to talk about their spouses in much more positive
ways. DIRECT OBJECT
Line 47 that he or she will not stop doing something…conflict. DIRECT OBJECT
Line 48 that it is a source of conflict APPOSITION
Line 49 that he or she will actually prefers it that the other has separate interests. DIRECT OBJECT
Line 50 that the other has separate interests. DIRECT OBJECT
Line 52 what advice they would give to younger people…. Married. DIRECT OBJECT
Line 57 that these individuals had really different views about marriage. REAL SUBJECT
Line 63 that a modern marriage may begin ….. compasionate love. DIRECT OBJECT
Line 65 that includes affection, caring and friendly. APPOSITION

4 - Reproduce the pattern as indicated in the examples, substituting the words given and taking
care to use the verbs correctly. Add articles, possessives, prepositions where necessary.
a) What matters to the public is success.
a.1.What interests the audience is good acting
a.2. What attracts spectators is the constant action
a.3. What upsets administrators is professionalism
b) Athletes expect to be paid for what they do.
b.1. People ought to be interested in what they do.
b.2. No one likes being taxed on what they earn.
b.3.The audience wants to be entertained by what they see.
6 - Change the following ideas as it is shown in the example
a) What surprised them is that amateurs demand expenses
b) What pleases us is that the children enjoy the games
c) What annoys him is that the workers want overtime payment for Sunday w
8 - Rewrite these sentences using noun clauses as indicated:
a) I don’t know what I should buy for my mother.
b) I wonder if she likes it or not.
c) I’m sure that Peter is not coming.
d) It is a mystery who stole my money.
e) I answered a survey about what women like.
f) What I did was wrong..
g) How she will react is not a problema.
h) She is only interested in what she looks like.
i) I was surprised that my parents learnt the truth.
j) The most important issue is where pollution comes from.