NOUN CLAUSE
v Introduction
A clause is a group of words that
contain a subject and a verb. Clauses
can take the place of different parts of speech.
For instance, you are probably familiar
with adjective clauses.
The
man, who looked sleepy, sat down.
Who looked sleepy is an adjective
clause. It is taking the place of an adjective.
An adjective is used to describe nouns and so do adjective clauses.
We could re-write the sentence with an
adjective.
The
sleepy man sat down.
Similarly, a noun clause can take the
place of a noun. This lesson will
explain noun clauses, give examples of noun clauses, and then provide several
quizzes to practice forming noun clauses.
v Noun Clauses - Explanations &
Examples
There are three basic types of noun
clauses. These types are 1) noun clauses
that start with a question word (where, how, who, when, why), 2) noun clauses
that start with whether or if, and 3) noun clauses that start with that.
1. Noun
Clauses that Start with a Question
Noun clauses that start with a
question are usually used to answer a question.
The following examples should better explain this.
·
Where does Sarik live?
I don't know where Sarik lives.
"where Sarik lives" is a
noun clause. We could answer this
question without a noun clause by saying the following.
I don't know Sarik's address. The noun phrase, Sarik's address, replaces
with the noun clause, where Sarik lives.
·
What time is it?
I don't know what time it is.
"what time it is" is a
noun clause. We could answer this
question without a noun clause by saying the following.
I don't know the time. In this case, the noun phrase, the time,
replaces the noun clause, what time it is.
2. Noun
Clauses that Start with Whether or If
Noun clauses that start with
whether or if are used to answer yes/no type questions. Whether and if are usually
interchangeable. The following examples
should better explain this.
·
Does Judy own a Honda?
I don't know if Judy owns a Honda.
"if Judy owns a Honda" is
a noun clause. We could answer this
question without a noun clause by saying the following.
I don't know the answer. In this case, the noun phrase, the answer,
replaces the noun clause, if Judy owns a Honda.
·
Will Sadine be at work on Friday?
I don't know whether Sadine will be
at work on Friday.
"whether Sadine will be at
work on Friday" is a noun clause.
We could answer this question without a noun clause by saying the
following.
I don't know the answer. In this case, the noun phrase, the answer,
replaces the noun clause, whether Sadine will be at work on Friday.
3. Noun
Clauses that Start with That.
Noun clauses that start with that
are used to answer questions in which person who is answering is thinking,
giving an opinion, or using a mental activity verb. The following examples should better explain
this.
·
Is Dr. Elimelech a good instructor?
I think that Dr. Elimelech is a good instructor.
"that
Dr. Elimelech is a good instructor" is a noun clause. This noun clause could be omitted by saying
the following.
I think so.
·
Do you know the location of an ATM?
I believe that there is an ATM in the supermarket.
"that there is an ATM in the supermarket"
is a noun clause.
Most of the time, native speakers will
drop the word that. It is perfectably
acceptable to say the following.
I think that Dr. Elimelech is a good
instructor.
OR
I think Dr. Elimelech is a good instructor.
I believe that there is an ATM in the
supermarket.
OR
I believe there is an ATM in the supermarket.
Exercise :
1.
The king ordered that the traitor should be put to death.
2.
He said that he would not go.
3.
That he is not interested in the offer is known to us.
4.
He said that he was not feeling well.
5.
I cannot rely on what he says.
Answer
1.
Here the noun clause ‘that the traitor should be put to death’ is that
object of the verb ordered.
2.
Here the noun clause ‘that he would not go’ is the object of the verb
said.
3.
Here the noun clause ‘that he is not interested in the offer’ is the
subject of the verb is.
4.
Here the noun clause ‘that he was not feeling well’ is the object of the
verb said.
5.
Here the noun clause ‘what he says’ is the object of the preposition on.
Reference :
