I. What is a ‘noun clause’ ?

It is a group of words containing a verb and functioning as a noun. A sentence can contain one or more clauses.

II. What is the function of a ‘noun clause’ ?Just like a noun, a noun clause is used to refer to a person, place or thing.

Observe :

Where does Jane live?

I don’t know Jane’s address.

I don’t know where Jane lives.

I don’t know Jane’s address.

I don’t know where Jane lives.

(noun) (noun clause)

Look at the example :

Who did they see? Did they see John? Did they see Tom?

I don’t know who they saw.

I don’t know whether they saw John or not.

Who

who

Did

whether

What are some noun clause markers?

Wh- words (Who, Why, Where, What, When, Which, Whose, How)

Wh-ever words (Wherever, Whatever, Whoever, However etc.)Whether

That

I. Wh- Words

Observe the word order :

- Jane’s flat (n) is spacious. => Where Jane lives is spacious.

- The reason (n) Jack is leaving is a secret. => Why Jack is leaving is a secret.

- I don’t know his destination (n) => I don’t know where he’s going.

- We really like Mary’s house (n) => We really like where Mary lives.

Observe the word order (2) :

- Most of us believe in Janet’s words. => Most of us believe in what Janet says.

- I really do not approve of the person she’s dating. => I really do not approve of who(m) she’s dating.

- I don’t know that man => I don’t know who he is.

* Such noun clauses can be used in both the subject and the object position.

II. If / Whether

In the absence of a question word, we should use if / whether to form the noun clause.

Look at the examples :

Is Janet an

alcoholic? Peter

doesn’t know.

Peter doesn’t

know if Janet is

an alcoholic (or

not).

Did Patricia study for the exam? I’m not sure. I’m not sure whether Patricia studied for the exam (or not).

Has Timothy

been to China?

How should I

know?How should I

know if Timothy

has been to China

or not?

Did the students

do their homework? I’m

not sure. I’m not sure

whether the students did their

homework or not.

III. Wh- ever Words

Whoever Whereever (any place) Whatever/Whichever (any thing)

Whomever (any person) Whenever (any time)

However (any manner, any way)

Whatever you do, I will always love

you!You can do

whatever you like unless you disturb

others.I will have a good time with whoever

you choose to invite.

IV. That

‘That’ can introduce noun clause both in the subject and object position. It is possible to omit ‘that’ if the noun clause is the object of the verb.

Compare :

-We assumed (that) John would be late.

-Janet hopes (that) her husband will come clean with her finally.

However, ‘ that’ in the subject position cannot be omitted.

-That he has kept the truth a secret for such a long time is unbelievable!

- That small children sometimes lie is widely known.

Examine :

The most hard-working student failed the test. That surprised everybody. => That the most hard-working student failed the test surprised everybody.

I don’t know where I should take her.

I don’t know where to take her.

Infinitive Phrases :

Look how we can replace noun clauses with infinitive phrases :

Observe :

My mother explained to me how much I ought to spend on new clothing.

My mother explained to me how much to spend on new clothing.

I don’t know if/whether I should go or not.

I don’t know whether to go or not.

A wise friend has told me when I should shop.

A wise friend has told me when to shop.

where I should take her.

where to take her.

if/whether I should go or not.

whether to go or not.

when I should shop.

when to shop.

how much I ought to spend on new clothing.

how much to spend on new clothing.

How old is Patricia?

Oral Practice :

Example :

Where does Patrick Live? I don’t know.

=> I don’t know where Patrick Lives.

Now respond to the following questions starting with “I don’t know…” or “I’m not sure…”

1

Where did Luis go?2

Why did Maria leave?3

What time does the show start?4

Why do the workers want to go on a strike?5

Who is Kim’s best friend?6

How much money did he spend on that stereo?7

I hope you have enjoyed this presentation.

You can find more examples and exercises in your books.

Thank you,

ipek