What is Noun Clause? How can we know it is a noun clause?

NOUN CLAUSE 

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

•      Noun clauses begin with words such as  that, what,  how, whatever, when, where, whether, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, and why.

•      Noun clauses can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or objects of a preposition.

USES Of Noun Clauses

•      After some verbs and adjectives

Noun clauses can follow certain verbs and adjectives that express mental activities

•      To include a question in a statement (embedded questions)

•      I don’t know what time it is.

•      I wonder how he found out.

•      To report what someone has said or asked

•      He said that he would return.

•      He asked me what I wanted

There are three types of Noun Clauses:

1.      Noun clause with That

That-clauses are frequently used as the objects of verbs that express mental activity. The word that is often omitted, especially in speaking

Example: I hope that you can come to the meeting.

2.      Noun clause with W-H question

These question word can be used to introduce a noun clause; When, where, why, how, who, whom, what, which, whose.

Example: Where does she live?   >>noun clause>>   I don’t know where he lives

                 Who is that boy?   >>noun clause>>  Tell me who that boy is

3.      Noun clause with If and whether

When a yes/no question is changed to a noun clause, if is usually used to introduce the clause.

Example: Is Andy at home?   >>noun clause>>   I don’t know if Eric is at home

Noun clause can be a __?

1. Subject of a verb

-          That you should say so surprises me.

-          What he said was true

2. The object of a verb

      - He says that he won’t go.

      - Tell me where you live.

3. The object of a preposition

      - Pay careful attention to what I am going to say.

4. The complement of subject

·         My belief is that he will not come.

·         Her constant prayer was that the child might live.

·         Life is what we make it.

·         This is where I live.

·         My wish is that I may please you.

How can we know it is a noun clause?

1.      Usually a noun clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunction

that, how, when, where, whether, why

OR

2.      A relative pronoun

what, whatever, who, whom, whoever, whomever, which,whichever

Source

Fundamental of English Grammar Third Edition; Betti Schrampfer Azar, Pg.403

Grammar Practice for Upper Intermediate; Elaine Walker & Steve Elsworth, Pg. 140

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