Noun Clauses

Noun clauses are always dependent clauses and form complex sentences:
Functions: Noun clauses have the same function of a noun in the sentence.

A noun clause can be a subject of a verb:

• What Billy did shocked his friends.

A noun clause can be an object of a verb:

• Billy’s friends didn’t know that he couldn’t swim.

A noun clause can be a copulative complement:

• Billy’s mistake was that he refused to take lessons.

A noun clause can be an object of a preposition:

• Mary is not responsible for what Billy did.

A noun clause (but not a noun) can be an adjective complement:

• Everybody is sad that Billy drowned.

Subordinators in Noun Clasues
They are called noun clause markers. Here is a list of the noun clause markers:

• that (it can be omitted)
• if, whether
• Wh-words: how, what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why
• Wh-ever words: however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever

Billy’s friends didn’t know that he couldn’t swim.
Billy’s friends didn’t know he couldn’t swim.

Additional Examples

Noun clauses as subjects of verbs:

• That George learned how to swim is a miracle.
• Whether Fred can get a better job is not certain.
• What Mary said confused her parents.
• However you learn to spell is OK with me.

Noun clauses as objects of verbs:

• We didn’t know that Billy would jump.
• We didn’t know Billy would jump.
• Can you tell me if Fred is here?
• I don’t know where he is.
• George eats whatever is on his plate.

Noun clauses as copulative complements:

• The truth is that Billy was not very smart.
• The truth is Billy was not very smart.
• The question is whether other boys will try the same thing.
• The winner will be whoever runs fastest.

Noun clauses as objects of prepositions:

• Billy didn’t listen to what Mary said.
• He wants to learn about whatever is interesting.
• Noun clauses as adjective complements:
• He is happy that he is learning English.
• We are all afraid that the final exam will be difficult.