Noun Clauses

Name: Kong Ming Yien

Law Kai Xin
Zechrist
Unit: Tesl
Lecturer: Puan Zubaidah

Noun/ Nominal Clause

A group of words with subject and a finite verb, which
functions like a noun.
A noun clause is a dependent clause within a sentence and
it function as:
Subject of a verb
Object of the verb/ preposition
Appositive
Complement

Difference between noun, noun

phrase and noun clause.
Noun

I know Jamie.

Noun Phrase

I know the boy.

Noun Clause

I know who stole the

chain.

1.0 Formation of Noun Clause

Noun Clauses are introduced with the words:
How
That
Wh-word
Wh-ever word
Whether

Examples
Noun
Clause
Marker
That
Wh-word
Wh-ever
word
Whether

Sentence

He thinks that the audition will not be

easy.
Everybody wondered where he lives.
The prince will marry whoever walks
through the door.
I dont know whether he will recover.

 Noun clauses may be replaced with a pronoun.

Examples:

What she did is really

(This) is really
unbelievable.
unbelievable.
She didnt know that her She didnt know (that).
father has arrived.
However, she refused to
be responsible for what
she has done.

However, she refused to

be responsible for (it).

4.0 Function of Noun Clauses

Subject of a verb
Object of a verb
Subject complement
Object of a preposition
Adjective complement

Noun clauses as subject of verbs

That he has disappeared is a

mystery.

Whatever his wife did angered

him.

Noun Clauses as objects of verbs

Can you inform his wife when they have
found him?

His wife didnt know that Fahmi is such a

difficult person.

Noun clauses as subject

complements
The truth is that Sabrina is better
off not found.

He is what he is.

Noun clauses as objects of

prepositions
Serene has to change what his wife wants
him to be.

The search party looks into whatever is

applicable.

Noun clauses as adjective

complements
His wife is sad that there is in news
about him.

She is afraid that the search is failure.

Differences between Noun Phrases and Clauses

Phrase
The lecturer was happy.

Clause

Whoever came here was

happy.
I consider this my favourite I wonder what your
dish.
favourite dish is.
He gave his wife a
I really dont know what he
bungalow.
gave his wife.

Types of Noun Clauses

Relative Pronouns
Relative Adverbs
Whether / If
Indefinite Pronoun

Introduced by Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns: that, what, when, where,
whom, whose
Example: I dont know who lives here.

which, who,

who lives here is a noun clause. This can be

replaced with a noun phrase that person.

Introduced by Relative adverbs

Relative adverbs: where, when, why
Example: I dont know where Peter lives.

where Peter lives is a noun clause. This can be

replaced with a noun phrase her address.

Introduced by Whether or If
Used to answer yes no type questions
Example: I dont know if Dylan has a job.

if Dylan has a job is a noun clause. This can be

replaced with the noun phrase the answer.

Introduced by Indefinite
Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns: whoever, whatever,
wherever, however

whenever,

Example:
You can take whoever you want from the team.
She can have whatever she wants.
Whenever you are ready to leave, just let me know.

Noun Clauses In Reported

Speech
Questions
His mother asked, Where are you? (Quoted)
His mother asked where he was. (Reported)

Requests

His mother said, Come home

His mother said he was to come home.
His mother said (that) he should come home.
His mother told him to come home.
His mother pleaded that he should come home.

 Statements
His mother said, Its lonely without him here
His mother said that it was lonely without him there.

Wh-Questions: changing wh- questions to reported speech (relative

pronoun/adverb)

Who
Where
What
Why
How/how long/how much

 Yes/No Questions: changing questions to reported speech (whether/if)

Is/are was/were
Do/does did
Can could
May might

Commands: changing commands to reported speech

Say or tell (should, infinitive phrase)
Demand, advise, order, suggest other verbs followed by a command