You have probably seen and used the term noun clause in your speech or writing in the English language, But what does it mean and how is it used in English grammar? Before we dive into it, let’s have a look at what grammar is.
Grammar refers to the structure of a language, with rules that govern the composition of words used in the said language. These rules help us arrange and know which form of words to use correctly. Which brings us to our topic of interest, nouns, clauses and phrases.
Differentiating a noun, a clause and a phrase
A noun is a part of speech that names a person, place, or thing. Some examples of nouns include, man, house, and car.
Moreover, a clause is defined as a unit of grammar that contains at least one verb and a subject. What’s more, a verb is a word that describes an action while a subject is a person or thing performing the action.
On the other hand, a phrase is a group of words that work together within a sentence. However, they do not contain a subject and a verb. The section with a subject and verb in a sentence is the clause, while the rest of it without those two parts of speeches is the phrase.
Example:
The child is sleeping in the car
The child is sleeping= the clause
In the car= the phrase
There are four types of clauses: main clause, subordinate clause, noun clause and adjective clause. Every clause has at least one subject and one verb.
What is a noun clause?
This is a dependent clause that plays the role of a noun in a sentence. It cannot stand alone because it does not express complete thought on its own. Noun clauses act as direct objects, subjects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or objects of a preposition
A noun phrase is a group of words that function as a single noun. Noun phrases act as subjects, direct objects, or prepositional objects in a sentence.
Example: The white rhino was found today
the white rhino is the noun phrase
In this article we want to know more about noun clauses hence we will discuss noun clause examples in depth.
What is the difference between a noun clause and a noun phrase?
Now that we know the definition of the two, let’s look at their differences and what they have in common.
They both act as nouns in a sentence. The difference comes in where a noun clause is a whole single clause while a noun phrase is just a group of words put together and function as a noun.
Another difference is that while independence is impossible for noun clauses, noun phrases are independent.
How to identify a noun clause
A noun clause adds crucial information to a sentence. The key points we have used to define it are:
- It is a dependent clause(cannot stand alone)
- It contains a subject and a verb
- It functions as a noun in a sentence
How do you identify a noun clause in a sentence?
Noun clauses can be identified with the way they begin.
What does a noun clause start with?
- How
- What
- That
- Whatever
- When
- Whether
- Which
- Where
- Who
- Whichever
- Whom
- Whoever
- Whomever
- Why
Spotting these words is the easiest way to identify a noun clause in a sentence.
Types of noun clauses
The following ways are how noun clauses function in a sentence.
1.Subject of a verb
Noun clauses, when used in a sentence, can perform the function of the subject of a verb.
Example:
- Whoever thought of that is a genius.
- What Sandra did made her mother cry
The first sentence contains a subject whoever and a verb thought.
In the second sentence, the clause “what Sandra did” is the subject of the verb made.
2.Direct object of a verb
A noun clause can play the role of the direct object of a verb in a sentence.
- Did you know what the weather would be?
- She didn’t see why the class was cancelled.
In the first sentence, the clause “what the weather would be” serves as the direct object of the verb know. It answers the question “what did you know?”
In the second sentence, “why the class was cancelled”, is the direct object of the verb see.
The method of questioning helps to demonstrate how the noun clause is being used as the direct object of the verb.
3.Subject complement
Noun clauses can also serve as subject complements. A subject complement modifies, describes, and completes the subject of a clause.
- Ashley’s problem was that she didn’t study enough.
- Miriam’s achievement at school was when he became hall monitor.
In the first sentence, we seek to answer the question of, “what was Ashley’s problem?” and the answer is the noun clause, “that she didn’t study enough”. If this clause was not there the sentence would have no meaning. The subject complement nature of the noun clause is shown as it completes the subject of Ashley’s problem.
The definition can be applied to the other two examples.
4.Object of a preposition
When a noun clause acts as the object of a preposition, the prepositions “of” and “for” are in action.
- Mary is not the best provider of what the child needs.
- She is not responsible for what her brother decided to do.
The sentences above are complete before the addition of the prepositions but we introduce them to provide further detail. The noun clauses act as the objects of these prepositions.
5.Adjective complement
A noun clause can also function as an adjective complement, to modify a verb, adjective, or adverb.
- I do not know why she did not go to school.
- They’re perfectly happy where they live now.
Similar to the prepositions, each of these sentences could be complete before the conjunctions (why, where and that). The adjective complement provides further detail. Besides, in each of these examples, these adjective complements are noun clauses.
6.Indirect object
A nouns clause is used as an indirect object to show to who or for whom a verb is performed.
Example:
- Always give whichever audience you perform for a great show.
- The judge will give what you said some deliberation during her decision.
In the first example, whichever audience you perform for is the noun clause. It contains the subject you and the verb perform. The clause acts as an indirect object in the sentence to show who the great show will be performed for.
Likewise in the second example, what you said is a noun clause showing what will be given some deliberation by the judge.
There are some things to note when using noun clauses:
1.Noun clauses starting with “that” as a subject
It is generally acceptable to use a noun clause starting with “that” as the subject of a sentence. However, for many, it sounds too unnatural. For example:
- That she got a book deal is remarkable.
Starting a sentence with a noun clause starting with “that” is acceptable, but it somewhat does not express a complete thought to others. Most people prefer “the fact that.”
However, “the fact that” is considered by some to be needless repetition. It is the most commonly preferred.
2.Using “who” and “whom” at the start of noun clauses
“Who” is the subject of a verb. “Whom” on the other hand is not. The same applies to “whoever” and “whomever.”
- My relationships are between me and whomever I’m with.
Here, “whomever” is the object of the preposition “with.”)
- My relationships are between me and whoever is interested.
Here, “whoever” is the subject of the verb is. “Whoever is interested” is the object of the preposition “between,” but that doesn’t mean that “whoever” can be used in the place of “whomever.”
“who” or “whoever” are preferably used because they are more common.
3.. Noun clauses are not modifiers; they are placeholders
For example:
- Noun Clause (noun acting as a subject): What she will bring is dependent on her mood
If the clause answers the question, “who?” or “what?”, then it is a noun clause.
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