To construct a sentence with a noun clause, you place a clause that functions as a noun (subject, object, or complement) inside a larger sentence, typically introduced by words like that, what, whether, who, or why. For example, in “What she said surprised me,” the noun clause is “What she said,” and it acts as the subject of the verb “surprised.”
What Is a Noun Clause?
A noun clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but functions as a single noun within a sentence. Unlike a regular noun, which is a single word like “dog” or “happiness,” a noun clause is a whole clause that can do anything a noun can do: be a subject, an object, a complement, or an object of a preposition. For instance, in “I know that you are tired,” the clause “that you are tired” is the direct object of “know.” Noun clauses are also called nominal clauses, and they are a type of dependent clause, meaning they cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
How to Identify a Noun Clause
To spot a noun clause, look for a clause that answers “what?” or “who?” in relation to the main verb. For example, in “The problem is that we have no time,” the noun clause “that we have no time” renames the subject “problem” (a subject complement). Another test: replace the clause with a single pronoun like “it” or “something.” If the sentence still makes sense, you have a noun clause. In “She believes that he is honest,” you can say “She believes it,” confirming the clause is a noun.
Common Introductory Words (Subordinators)
Noun clauses usually begin with one of these subordinating words:
- That – “I think that you are right.” (Often “that” can be omitted in informal speech: “I think you are right.”)
- Wh-words – what, whatever, who, whoever, whom, whose, which, whichever – “Whoever arrives first gets a prize.”
- If / Whether – “I wonder whether she will come.” (Use “whether” when there are two clear alternatives; “if” is more informal.)
- Why, where, when, how – “Do you know why he left?”
These words are not questions here; they are connectors that turn a statement into a noun-like unit.
How to Construct a Noun Clause Step by Step
Building a noun clause is straightforward once you know the pattern. Follow these steps:
- Start with a complete thought that could be a sentence, e.g., “The train is late.”
- Add a subordinator at the front, e.g., “that the train is late.”
- Insert the clause into a larger sentence where a noun would fit, e.g., “I noticed that the train is late.”
For wh-words, you often change the word order from a question to a statement: the question “Where is the station?” becomes the clause “where the station is” (not “where is the station”). So you say, “I don’t know where the station is.” This is a common error for learners, so remember that inside a noun clause, the subject comes before the verb, even if the clause starts with a question word.
Functions of Noun Clauses in Sentences
Noun clauses can fill several roles. Here are the main ones with examples:
- Subject – “What you eat affects your health.” (The whole clause is the subject.)
- Direct object – “She said that she was busy.” (The clause receives the action of “said.”)
- Indirect object – “Give whoever needs it a copy.” (The clause is the indirect object of “give.”)
- Object of a preposition – “We talked about what happened yesterday.” (The clause is the object of “about.”)
- Subject complement – “The truth is that he never came.” (The clause follows a linking verb and renames the subject.)
- Appositive – “The fact that she lied upset me.” (The clause renames “fact.”)
Notice that when a noun clause is the subject, the main verb is singular: “What they want is more time.” The entire clause is treated as one thing.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Three errors appear frequently with noun clauses. First, using question word order inside the clause: “I don’t know what is his name” should be “I don’t know what his name is.” Second, omitting “that” when it is needed for clarity: “She told me that she was leaving” is clearer than “She told me she was leaving,” though both are grammatically acceptable. Third, using “if” after prepositions: you cannot say “We talked about if he would come”; you must use “whether” – “We talked about whether he would come.” Also, in formal writing, avoid using “if” for indirect questions when a choice is implied; use “whether” instead.
Noun Clauses vs. Other Clauses
It is easy to confuse noun clauses with adjective (relative) clauses and adverb clauses. A relative clause modifies a noun, as in “The book that I read was long” – here “that I read” describes “book,” so it is an adjective clause. An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, as in “I left because I was tired” – “because I was tired” tells why, so it is an adverb clause. A noun clause, by contrast, is the noun itself. Test by replacing the clause with a pronoun: “The book that I read” becomes “the book” (not a pronoun), but “What I read” can become “it.” So in “What I read was long,” the clause is a noun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a noun clause stand alone as a sentence?
No. A noun clause is a dependent clause, so it cannot be a complete sentence on its own. “That he is late” is a fragment. It must be attached to an independent clause, such as “I think that he is late.”
What is the difference between “that” and “what” in noun clauses?
“That” introduces a clause that states a fact or idea, and it has no grammatical role inside the clause. “What” means “the thing that” and acts as a subject or object inside the clause. For example, “I know that you said it” vs. “I know what you said.” In the second, “what” is the object of “said.”
Do I always need “that” in a noun clause?
No. In informal speech and writing, “that” is often omitted after common verbs like “think,” “say,” or “know.” For example, “I think you are right” is fine. However, when the clause is the subject of the sentence, you cannot omit “that”: “That he is late is unusual” cannot become “He is late is unusual.”
How do I choose between “if” and “whether”?
Use “whether” when there are two clear alternatives or when the clause is the subject or object of a preposition. “Whether” is more formal and always correct for indirect questions. “If” is more informal and only used for indirect yes/no questions, not after prepositions or as a subject.
Can a noun clause be used as an object of a preposition?
Yes, but only with certain prepositions. For example, “We talked about what we should do.” However, you cannot use “that” after a preposition – you would say “the fact that” instead: “We talked about the fact that he left.”
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