Noun Clause
A dependent, or
subordinate, clause contains a subject and a verb or verb phrase but does not
express a complete thought. As a result, it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Dependent clauses can function either as noun clauses, adjective clauses, or
adverb clauses.
What Is a Noun Clause?
A noun clause is a
dependent clause that acts as a noun. Noun clauses begin with words such as
how, that, what, 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.
Noun Clause Examples
- · Whoever thought of that idea is a genius.
( Whoever thought of
that idea is a noun clause. It contains the subject whoever and the verb
thought. The clause acts as a subject in the sentence.)
- · On weekends, we can do whatever we want.
( Whatever we want is a
noun clause. It contains the subject we and the verb want. The clause acts as a
direct object in the sentence.)
- · The focus of our work is how we can satisfy customers most effectively.
( How we can satisfy
customers most effectively is a noun clause. It contains the subject we and the
verb phrase can satisfy. The clause acts as a predicate nominative in the
sentence, identifying focus.)
- · Choose a gift for whomever you want.
( Whomever you want is
a noun clause. It contains the subject you and the verb want. The clause acts
as an object of the preposition for in the sentence.)
- · Whichever restaurant you pick is fine with me.
( Whichever restaurant
you pick is a noun clause. It contains the subject you and the verb pick. The
clause acts as a subject in the sentence.)
- · Be sure to send whoever interviewed you a thank-you note.
( Whoever interviewed
you is a noun clause. It contains the subject whoever and the verb interviewed.
The clause acts as an indirect object in the sentence.)
- · Do you know what the weather will be?
( What the weather will
be is a noun clause. It contains the subject weather and the verb phrase will
be. The clause acts as a direct object in the sentence.)
- · My greatest asset is that I am a hard worker.
( That I am a hard
worker is a noun clause. It contains the subject I and the verb am. The clause
acts as a predicate nominative in the sentence, identifying asset.)
- · It’s important to think about why we make certain decisions.
( Why we make certain
decisions is a noun clause. It contains the subject we and the verb make. The
clause acts as an object of the preposition about in the sentence.)
- · I wonder how long we should wait here.
( How long we should
wait here is a noun clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase
should wait. The clause acts as a direct object in the sentence.)
- · Always give whichever audience you perform for a great show.
( Whichever audience
you perform for is a noun clause. It contains the subject you and the verb
perform. The clause acts as an indirect object in the sentence.)
- · I’m packing extra snacks for when we get hungry.
( When we get hungry is
a noun clause. It contains the subject we and the verb get. The clause acts as
an object of the preposition for in the sentence.)
·
A person
who trusts no one can't be trusted.
(Jerome Blattner)
(This noun clause is the subject of
the sentence.)
(Not all agree this is a noun clause. See Note on the right.)
(Not all agree this is a noun clause. See Note on the right.)
·
That he
believes his own story is remarkable. (Jerome
Blattner)
(This noun clause is the subject of the sentence. Be aware that
starting a sentence with a noun clause starting That is acceptable, but it grates on lots
of people's ears. As a result, many writers prefer to precede it with "The
fact…".)
·
Ask your child what
he wants for dinner only
if he's buying. (Fran Lebowitz)
(This noun clause is the direct object of ask.)
·
He knows all about art, but
he doesn't know what he likes. (James Thurber, 1894-1961)
(This noun clause is the direct object of know.)
·
It is even harder for the
average ape to believe that he has descended from man. (H L Mencken,
1880-1956)
(This noun clause is the direct object of believe.)
·
I never know how much of what
I say is true. (Bette
Midler)
(This noun clause is an object of a preposition.)
·
Man is what
he eats. (Ludwig Feuerbach)
(This noun clause is a subject complement.)
·
My one regret in life is that
I am not someone else. (Woody Allen)
(This noun clause is a subject complement.)
·
An economist is a man
who states the obvious in terms of the incomprehensible. (Alfred A
Knopf)
(This noun clause is a subject complement.)
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