Noun clauses beginning with a question word

If you are going to open your own business, the location is a very important consideration. Where your place is will impact your success. Some people think it doesn’t matter where the business is, but I disagree. I also think that what you name your business is important. What do you think about the name of my English tutoring company, Happy English?

Today, I would like to chat with you about noun clauses. (Last week we looked at adjective clauses, by the way.)  In English grammar, noun clauses begin with a question word and contain a subject and a verb. You can use the question words who, what, when, where, why, and how to form a noun clause. The grammar is question word + subject + verb. Noun clauses can be used as the subject of an English sentence.

• Who she kissed is not important. Who she kissed is a noun clause.
• What I ate made me ill.
• When I go doesn’t matter, as long as I have the chance to go.
• Where we live depends on the cost.
• Why he’s late is because the trains were delayed.
• How we get there is key to enjoying the trip.

Noun clauses can also be used as the object of an English sentence.

• It is not important who she kissed. The fact that she kissed another guy bothers me.
• The thing that made me ill was what I ate.
• As long as I have the chance to go there, it doesn’t matter when I go.
• The price of the ring depends on where you buy it.
• Nobody knows why he is late.
• What an amazing magician! I don’t know how he did that!

If you know anyone who might be interested in this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them. Thanks for studying today!

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In this lesson we’re going to talk about some of the ways that noun clauses can be used in sentences. A noun clause is a group of words that has the same uses in a sentence as a noun. As such, a noun clause can function as either the subject or the object of a sentence:

What she wrote [subject] is [verb] true.

“What she wrote” is the subject of the verb “is.”

I [subject] know [verb] what she wrote [object].

“What she wrote” is the object of the verb “know.”

Noun Clauses beginning with a Question Word

Within a noun clause itself, the subject always precedes the verb. This is true even when a noun clause begins with a question word, such as where, what, when, how, who, whom, whose, what, which, and whether.

Sometimes the word order is the same in a question and a noun clause that answers that question. In the following examples, who is the subject of both the question and the answer:

Who works there?

I don’t know who works there.

Who is at the door?

I don’t know who is at the door.

In other situations, the subject of the question and the answer are different:

Who are those women?

I don’t know who those women are.

In the question, those women is the subject. Because it is the subject, it must be placed before the verb are in the noun clause that answers the question.

Noun Clauses Beginning with “Whether” or “If”

When a yes/no question is changed to a noun clause, whether or if is used to introduce the clause Whether is more common in formal writing, but both words are used regularly when speaking:

Will he come?

I wonder whether he will come.

I wonder if he will come.

Does she need help?

I don’t know whether she needs help.

I don’t know if she needs help.

Or not is sometimes included with whether/if to help reinforce the yes/no nature of the noun clause. Note that or not can immediately follow whether but not if:

I wonder whether or not she needs help.

I wonder whether she needs help or not.

I wonder if she needs help or not.

Question Words Followed by Infinitives

Question words in noun clauses can be followed by infinitives. The following examples all have the same meaning. The infinitive is equivalent to saying either should or can/could:

Joe doesn’t know what he should do.

Joe doesn’t know what to do.

Ellen can’t decide whether she should go to the concert or stay home.

Ellen can’t decide whether to go to the concert or (to) stay home.

Please tell me how I can get to the Sandy Springs MARTA station.

Please tell me how to get to the Sandy Springs MARTA station.

Noun Clauses Beginning with “That”

Certain verbs are commonly followed by a noun clause beginning with that (verb + that-clause). The that is commonly omitted from the noun clause (as in the second example below) in speech and informal writing. It is usually included in formal writing (as in the first example):

Angie thinks that Ellen will come.

Angie thinks Ellen will come.

Person + be +adjective + that-clause.

That-clauses commonly follow certain adjectives, such as worried, when the subject refers to a person or persons:

Suzy is worried (that) Jim has not called.

It + be + adjective + that-clause

That-clauses also commonly follow adjectives that begin with it + be:

It is clear (that) Marie loves her new car

It’s obvious (that) Marie loves her new car.

Although uncommon, it is possible to use a that-clause as the subject of a sentence. In this case, that cannot be omitted:

That Marie loves her new car is undeniable.

While this is technically correct, it can sound stiff and unnatural to native English speakers. It is far more common to begin a sentence with a that-clause in the subject position with the fact that or to introduce it with it is a fact that:

That fact (that) Marie loves her new car is undeniable.

It is a fact (that) Marie loves her new car.

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.

Noun Clauses — Explanations & ExamplesThere 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.

NOUN CLAUSE

A. Introduction

Noun clause is a dependent clause and cannot stand
alone as a sentence. It must be connected to an independent clause (a main
clause). A noun clause is used as subject or an object. In other words, a noun
clause is used in the same ways as a noun.

B. Beginning with Question Words, That & Whether/If

1.  
Noun Clause that begin
with a Question Word

Sentence pattern:

Subject + Verb + Object (Question word +
Subject + Verb)

                                                      
Noun Clause

The question word that cab ne used to introduce
noun clause such as;

§ When

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	When did Tim leave?	I don’t know when Tim left.
2	When did David arrive?	I don’t know when David arrived.
3	When does the semester end?	Can you tell me when the semester end?
4	When is he going to leave?	Do you know when he is going to leave?

§ Where

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	Where did Paul go?	I don’t know where Paul went.
2	Where did he go?	I don’t know where he went.
3	Where is he?	I don’t know where he is.
4	Where does he live?	I don’t remember where he lives.
5	Where is the post office?	Could you please tell me where the post office is?
6	Where can I catch the bus?	Could you please tell me where I can catch the bus?

§ Why

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	Why did Tim leave?	I don’t know why Tim left.
2	Why was Kathy absent yesterday?	Do you know why Kathy was absent yesterday?
3	Why did you say that?	I don’t understand why you said that.
4	Why is Yoko angry?	Do you know why Yoko is angry?

§ How

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	How old is Kate?	I don’t know how old Kate is.
2	How much does this book cost?	Could you please tell me how much this book costs?
3	How far is it to Chicago?	I wonder how far it is to Chicago.
4	How old are their Children?	I can’t ever remember how old their children are.
5	How long has Ted been living here?	Do you know how long Ted has been living here?

§ Who

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	Who came to the party?	Tell me who came to the party.
2	Who is coming to the party?	I don’t know who is coming to the party.
3	Who are those people?	I don’t know who those people are.
4	Who is the mayor of New York City?	I don’t know who the mayor of New York City is.
5	Who did Sara invite?	I don’t know who Sara invited.

§ Whom

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	Whom did you see at the party?	Tell me whom you saw at the party.
2	Whom did Helen talk to?	Do you know whom Helenk talked to?

§ What

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	What did she say?	What she said wasn’t true.
2	What are we doing in class?	What we are doing in class is easy.
3	What is John’s telephone number?	I don’t know what John’s telephone number is.
4	What is the population of Texas?	I don’t know what the population of Texas is.

§ Which

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	Which one does he want?	Let’s ask him which one he wants.

§ Whose

No.	Information Question	Noun Clause
1	Whose pen is this?	Do you know whose pen this is?
2	Whose book is that?	I don’t know whose book that is.
3	Whose books are those?	Do you know whose books those are?
4	Whose house is that?	I wonder house that is.
5	Whose car is in the driveway?	Do you know whose car in the driveway is?

2.  Noun
clauses which begin with That

The word that, when it introduces a
noun clause, has no meaning in itself. It simply marks the beginning of the
clause. Frequently it is omitted, especially in speaking.

The word that is not omitted when it
introduces a noun clause used as the subject of the sentence and noun clause
will be placed at the end of the sentence.

e.g.;

a. noun clause as a subject

                                     
Subject                      
V   O

· That
Tim hasn’t been able to make any friends is too bad.

· That
Irene failed her entrance examination is unfortunately.

· That
smoke can cause cancer is strange.

b. noun
clause as an object

· It
is a pity that some woman do not earn equal pay for equal work.

· It
is a well-known fact that English is the principal language of the business
community throuhout much of the world.

· It
is apparent that the earth revolves around the sun.

3.  Noun
clauses which begin with If or Whether

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

Examples;

No.	Yes/No Question	Noun Clause
1	Did Sarah borrow your dictionary?	I wonder if Sarah borrowed your dicionary.
2	Did you leave your dictionary at the library?	I wonder whether you left your dictionary at the library.
3	Does she need any help?	I wonder if she needs any help.
4	Is he having trouble?	I wonder whether he is having trouble.
5	Do we have enough time to go to Florida over vacation?	I wonder if we have enough time to go to Florida over vacation.
6	Is there life on other planets?	I wonder if there is life on other planets.
7	Will people live on the moon someday?	I wonder whether or not people will live on the moon someday.
8	Does this bus go downtown?	Could you please tell me if this bus go downtown or not?
9	Is this word spelled correctly?	Could you tell me if this word is spelled correctly?
10	Is this information correct?	Could you tell me if this information is correct?

C. Followed by Infinitive

Questin
words and whether maybe followed by an infinitive. Each pair of sentences has
the same meaning. The meaning expressed by the infinitive is either should or
can/could.

Sentence
pattern:

Subject +
Verb + Question word/whether + to + Verb 1 (infinitive)

Example;

Æ He
told me when I should come.

→ He told me when to come.

Æ The
plumber told me how I could fix the leak in the sink.

→ The plumber told me how to
fix the leak in the sink.

Æ Please
tell me where I should meet you.

→ Please tell me where to meet
you.

Æ My
cousin has a dilemma. He can’t decide whether to has a dilemma.

D. Subjunctive in Noun Clause

The subjunctive is used in a noun clause that
follows certain verbs and expression. The sentences generally stress
importance. In these sentences, the subjunctive verb is used only in its
simple form. It doesn’t have present, past or future form; it is neither
singular nor plural. Negative: not + simple form. Passive: simple
form of be + past participle.

Should is also
possible after suggest and recommend.

Common
verb and expressions followed by the subjunctive in a Noun Clause;

demand
(that)              suggest (that)                            it is important
(that)

insist
(that)                           recommend
(that)            it is necessary (that)

request
(that)              advise (that)                              it is essential
(that)

ask
(that)                     propose (that)                            it is vital (that)

                                                                            It
is imperative (that)

Examples;

§  Her
advisor recommended that she takes five courses.

§  He
insisted that the new baby be named after his grandfather.

E.  Using EVER word

The
following –ever words give the idea of “any”.

Ü Whoever

e.g.;
Whoever wants to come is welcome.

Ü Who(m)ever

e.g.;
He makes friends easily with who(m)ever he meets.

Ü Whatever

e.g.;
He always says whatever comes into his mind.

Ü Whichever

e.g.;
We can watch whichever one you prever.

Ü Whenever

e.g.;
You may leave whenever you wish.

Ü Wherever

e.g.;
She can go wherever she wants to go.

Ü However

e.g.;
The students may dress however they please.

 
Sentence:
Related object
He broke her car.: 
noun phrase
He broke what she had the most expensive.: 
noun clause
She doesn�t know if he is died.: 
noun clause
She knows that the car is broken.: 
noun clause

A phrase =group of related words. 
It does not contain a subject and a verb.

A clause = group of related words. 
It contains a subject and a verb.

A noun clause is a dependent clause and cannot 
stand alone as a sentence. It must connect o an 
independent clause (a main clause)
A noun clause can begin with a question word, if or that.

2. Noun clauses that begin with a question word:
The following question words can be used to introduce 
a noun clause:
When, where, why, how, who, whom, what, whish, whose.

Where does she study?
	 I can find where she studies.
What time is it?
	 I don�t know what time it is.
Why did they leave?
	I haven�t any idea why they left.
What did he say?
	 Do you know what he said?

The question word order (do, did, does) is not 
used in the noun clause.

3.  Noun clauses with who what whose  + BE:
Who is this boy? (Verb subject)
	I know who this boy is.
Whose book is this? (Verb subject)
	I don�t know whose book this is.

A noun or pronoun that follows the main verb BE in 
a question comes in front of BE in a noun clause. 

Who is in the car? (Verb subject)
	Do you know who is in the car?	
Whose book is on the table? (Verb subject)
	I know whose book on the table.
 
A prepositional phrase does not come in front 
of BE in a noun clause.            

Who comes to the party?
Tell us who comes to the party.

What happened?
Can you please tell me what happened?

When the subject of a question is the question word: who 
& What, usual question word order is no used. In this case 
the word order is the same in both the question and the 
noun clause.

4.  Noun clauses which begin with IF or WHETHER:
Are you ready?
	I don�t know if you are ready. (Object)
Did you write a letter?
	Tell us if you wrote a letter.
Does she like speaking ?
	I wonder if she likes speaking.

When a YES/NO question is changed to a noun clause,
IF is used to introduce a clause.

We don�t know whether she speaks Spanish.
We don�t know whether she speaks Spanish or not.
We don�t know whether or not she speaks Spanish.

"Or not" can come at the end of the noun clause.
"Or not" comes immediately after whether, but not after if.


5.  Noun clauses which begin with THAT:

I think that the test was complicated. 
(=Noun clause = Object of the verb think)

The word THAT introduces a noun clause.
That-clauses are frequently used as the objects of verbs 
which express mental activity.

She hopes he can come over.
The word that is often omitted, especially in speaking.

Common verbs followed by that-Clauses
Assume that - Believe that - Discover that - Dream that - 
Guess that - Hear that - Hope that - Know that - Learn that - 
Notice that - Predict that - Prove that - Realize that - 
Suppose that - Suspect that - Think that �
Agree that - Conclude that - Decide that - Demonstrate that - 
Doubt that - Fear that - Feel that - Figure out that - Find out that - 
Forget that - Imagine that - Indicate that - Observe that - Presume 
that - Pretend that - Read that - Recall that - Recognize that - Regret 
that - Remember - Reveal that - Show that - Teach that - Understand 
that - �

Other uses of that-clauses:
They are sure that the host arrives.
She was disappointed that he didn�t come.
He is sorry she comes.
It is a fact trouble came again.
It is true the meaning wasn�t clear.

That-clauses can follow certain expressions with:
BE + adjective or BE + past participle.
That can be omitted.
True & a fact are very common expressions.

Common expressions followed by that-clauses:
Be afraid that - Be aware that - Be certain that - Be convinced that - 
Be disappointed that - Be glad that - Be happy that - Be pleased that - 
Be sorry that - Be sure that - Be surprised that - Be worried that - It 
is true that � - It is a fact that � 
Be amazed that - Be angry that - Be ashamed that - Be astounded 
that - Be delighted that - Be fortunate that - Be furious that - 
Be horrified that - Be impressed that - Be lucky that - 
Be positive that - Be proud that - Be sad that - Be shocked - 
Be terrified that - Be thrilled that - �


6. Substituting SO for that-clauses
in conversational responses:
Is he here?
	 I think so. (So = that he is here)
Does she think like you?
	I believe so.
Did they see you?
	I hope so.

Think, believe, and hope are followed by SO in 
conversational English in response to a YES/NO question.

So replaces that-clause.
Are you ready?
	I don�t think so. (I don�t think that I am ready)
	I don�t believe so.
	I hope not.

Note the negative usage of think, believe and hope.

Other expressions:
Guess so, guess not  - suppose, suppose not  -  
be afraid so, be afraid not.

7. Questions words followed by infinitives:
She doesn�t know what she should do.
She doesn�t know what to do.
He told him where he could find a key.
He told him where to find a key.
Tell her how she can solve this issue.
Tell her who can solve this issue.
They can�t decide whether they should go or stay home.
They can�t decide whether to go or (to) stay home.
Questions words and whether may be followed by an infinitive.
The meaning expressed by the infinitive is either should or can/could.

 

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Abder. Ajaja — © — All rights reserved 2002.

Noun clauses are clauses that function as nouns. Remember that clauses can be either dependent or independent. Noun clauses, like nouns, can be used as either subjects or objects. Noun clauses are therefore dependent clauses and as subject or object cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Nouns Are Subjects or Objects

Baseball is an interesting sport. Noun: Baseball = subject
Tom would like to buy that book. Noun: Book = object

Noun Clauses Are Subjects or Objects

I like what he said. Noun clause: … what he said = object
What he bought was awful: Noun clause: What he bought … = subject

Noun Clauses Can Also Be an Object of a Preposition

I’m not looking for what he likes. Noun clause: … what he likes = object of preposition ‘for’
We decided to look into how much it costs. Noun clause: … how much it costs = objects of preposition ‘into’

Noun Clauses as Complements

Noun clauses can play the role of a subject complement. Subject complements provide a further description, or clarification of a subject.

Harry’s problem was that he couldn’t make a decision.
Noun clause: … that he couldn’t make a decision. = subject complement of ‘problem’ describing what the problem was

The uncertainty is whether he will attend or not.
Noun clause: … whether he will attend or not. = subject complement of ‘uncertainty’ describing what is uncertain

Noun clauses can play the role of an adjective complement. Adjective complements often provide a reason why someone or something is a certain way. In other words, adjective compliments provide additional clarification to an adjective.

I was upset that she couldn’t come.
Noun clause: … that she couldn’t come = adjective complement explaining why I was upset

Jennifer seemed angry that he refused to help her.
Noun clause: … that he refused to help her. = adjective complement explaining why Jennifer seemed angry

Noun Clause Markers

Markers are what introduce noun clauses. These markers include:

that if, whether (for yes / no questions) Question words (how, what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why) Ever words beginning with ‘wh'(however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever)

Examples:

I didn’t know that he was coming to the party. Could you tell me whether she can help us. The question is how to finish on time. I’m sure I will enjoy whatever you cook for dinner.

Noun Clauses Used with Common Phrases

Noun clauses beginning with question words or if/whether are often used with common phrases such as:

I don’t know … I can’t remember … Please tell me … Do you know …

This use of noun clauses is also known as indirect questions. In indirect questions, we use a phrase to introduce a question with a short phrase and turn the question into a noun clause in statement order.

When will he return? Noun clause / indirect question: I don’t know when he will return.

Where are we going? Noun clause / indirect question: I can’t remember where we are going.

What time is it? Noun clause / indirect question: Please tell me what time it is.

When does the plan arrive? Noun clause / indirect question: Do you know when the plane arrives?

Yes / No Questions

Yes / no questions can be expressed as noun clauses using if/whether:

Are you coming to the party? Noun clause / indirect question: I don’t know if you are coming to the party.

Is it expensive? Noun clause / indirect question: Please tell me whether it is expensive.

Have they lived there long? Noun clause / indirect question: I’m not sure if they have lived there long.

Special Case of ‘That’

The noun marker ‘that’ which introduces noun clauses is the only marker that can be dropped. This is only true if ‘that’ is used to introduce a noun clause in the middle or at the end of the sentence.

Tim didn’t know that she was available. OR Tim didn’t know she was available.