Noun Clause

Sam An Teng

Noun clause is an dependent clause which is used as a noun. Look at the examples,

  •  She tells a story. (Noun phrase, object)
  •  She tells what has happened to her. (Noun clause, object)
  •  He will teach a new business lesson. (Noun phrase, object)
  •  He will teach what is important to start a business. (Noun clause, object)
  •  Overspending forces them to work overtime. (Noun phrase, subject)
  •  That they have overspent force them to work overtime. (Noun clause, subject)
  •  His address is not known. (Noun phrase, subject)
  •  Where he lives is not known. (Noun clause, subject)


Noun clause normally begins with one of these words: that, if, whether, how, what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why, however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, and whomever.


FUNCTIONS OF NOUN CLAUSE

Noun clause may function as: subject, direct object, indirect object, object of preposition, subject complement, object complement, and appositive.

As subject

  •  Whoever doesn't perform well will not get much bonus.
  •  Which market segments they want to focus is still unknown.
  •  What he proposed was good.
  •  Why our client are not satisfied should be a topic for tomorrow's meeting.

As direct object

  •  We've discovered what pleases the customers.
  •  She is listing what she needs to buy.
  •  They tell me how to fix the computer. 
  •  I don't know when he will come.

As indirect object

  •  The law agent provides whoever wants to start a business consultations.
  •  The bank gave whoever opens new account a giveaway.
  •  He brought whoever has worked for the company new technology.
  •  They promised whoever found a practical way to improve productivity a reward.

As object of preposition 

  •  The internet has revolutionized the ways of how people communicate.
  •  It offers a lot of advantage to whoever uses it.
  •  Some people believe in whatever he was told.
  •  We are looking for whoever can help us.

As subject complement 

  •  The encouragement was what motivated her to try hard.
  •  That was why I decided to study here.
  •  His joke was what made us feel uncomfortable. 
  •  My question is whether you have reviewed the lessons or not.

As object complement 

  •  You can call him what you wish. 
  •  He considered the student's responsibility that they failed to finish the research.
  •  The teacher announced the winner whoever gave the first correct answer.
  •  I have often declared the problem that the suppliers can not deliver products on time.

As appositive

  •  My plan that I become a business owner may happen one day.
  •  We that are older understand life better than children.
  •  That man, whoever is he, tried to steal some library books.
  •  The problem, that our server is hacked, is affecting our work.