Noun Clause |Definition & Examples

A noun clause is a group of words that act together as a noun within a sentence. It’s a dependent clause, meaning it can’t stand alone and make sense by itself. Instead, it depends on the rest of the sentence to form a complete thought. Think of it like a helper: it provides extra information but needs the main sentence to work.

For example, take this sentence:

• “What she said made everyone laugh.”

Here, the part “what she said” is the noun clause. It’s acting as the subject of the sentence, just like a single noun would. A noun clause usually starts with words like “that,” “what,” “who,” “which,” or “whomever.” These words help connect the noun clause to the main sentence.

Noun Clause vs Noun Phrase

It’s important not to confuse a noun clause with a noun phrase. A noun phrase is much simpler. It’s just a group of words that act together as a single noun. For example:

• “The small, red car” is a noun phrase because it’s describing one thing, a car.

A noun clause, on the other hand, is more complex. It includes a verb and can sometimes seem like a full sentence, but it’s still acting as a noun. Here’s an example of both:

• Noun Clause: “What you did was impressive.”
• Noun Phrase: “Your impressive work.”

Notice how the noun clause contains a verb (“did”), while the noun phrase does not.

Types of Noun Clause

There are different types of noun clauses that you might come across. Each one has its own job to do in the sentence.

That-Clause

The most common type of noun clause starts with the word “that.” This type of clause can act as a subject, object, or complement. Here’s an example:

• “I believe that you are right.”

In this case, “that you are right” is the noun clause, and it’s acting as the object of the verb “believe.” Even though it’s a complete idea, it still relies on the rest of the sentence.

What-Clause

Another type of noun clause begins with the word “what.” These what-clauses often act as subjects or objects, like in this example:

• “What you said surprised me.”

Here, “what you said” is the noun clause and is the subject of the sentence. The rest of the sentence (“surprised me”) depends on this noun clause.

Who/Whom-Clause

A who-clause or whom-clause is a noun clause that starts with “who” or “whom.” It often acts as a subject or object in a sentence. Here’s an example:

• “Whoever wins will get a prize.”

In this sentence, “whoever wins” is the noun clause acting as the subject of the sentence.

How to Identify a Noun Clause

Identifying a noun clause can seem tricky, but with a little practice, it becomes much easier. Noun clauses are always dependent, meaning they can’t stand alone. They also act as a noun, which means they can be a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

Let’s break it down into three main categories:

Subject Noun Clauses

When a noun clause acts as the subject of a sentence, it is the main thing being talked about. Here’s an example:

• “What you need is more practice.”

In this sentence, “what you need” is the noun clause and it’s acting as the subject.

Object Noun Clauses

When a noun clause is the object, it’s receiving the action of the verb. Here’s an example:

• “She knows that you’re coming.”

In this sentence, “that you’re coming” is the noun clause and it’s acting as the object of the verb “knows.”

Complement Noun Clauses

A noun clause can also act as a complement, which means it completes the meaning of the sentence. For example:

• “The truth is that he lied.”

In this sentence, “that he lied” is the noun clause and is acting as a complement, giving more information about the subject (“the truth”).

Noun Clause Grammar Rules

When using noun clauses, there are a few grammar rules you need to keep in mind. These rules help make sure the sentence flows and makes sense.

Agreement in Verb Tense

When writing noun clauses, make sure that the verb tense matches the rest of the sentence. For example:

• “I knew that she was going to win.”

If the main verb is in the past tense (knew), the verb in the noun clause should also match (was going).

Use of Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions like “that,” “whether,” and “if” are often used to connect noun clauses to the main part of the sentence. These words are crucial because they show the relationship between the two parts of the sentence. For example:

• “I’m not sure whether she’ll come.”

In this case, “whether” connects the noun clause (“she’ll come”) to the main sentence.

Punctuation in Noun Clauses

Generally, noun clauses do not need special punctuation like commas, unless they are used in a more complex sentence structure. Here’s an example:

• “I know that you’re busy, but could you help me for a moment?”

Here, the comma is used to separate the two clauses, not because of the noun clause itself.

Uses of Noun Clause in Sentences

Now that we know what noun clauses are and how to spot them, let’s talk about how they’re actually used in writing. Noun clauses make your writing more complex and give more detail to your sentences. They can make simple ideas more sophisticated.

In Everyday Speech

We use noun clauses all the time in everyday speech, even if we don’t realize it. Here are some examples:

• “I hope that it doesn’t rain.”
• “Do you know what time it is?”

In both of these examples, the noun clause adds important information to the sentence.

In Academic Writing

In academic writing, noun clauses are used to build complex arguments and explanations. They help make writing clearer and more specific. Here’s an example:

• “The study shows that exercise improves mental health.”

Without the noun clause (“that exercise improves mental health”), the sentence wouldn’t be as informative.

In Literature

Authors use noun clauses to add depth to their stories and characters. Here’s an example from a novel:

• “She wondered whether he would return.”

This noun clause (“whether he would return”) gives readers insight into the character’s thoughts and emotions.

Subordinate Clauses and Noun Clause

It’s important to remember that noun clauses are a type of subordinate clause. Subordinate clauses can’t stand alone, and they provide extra information to the main sentence. There are other types of subordinate clauses too, such as adjective clauses and adverb clauses.

The Relationship Between Subordinate and Noun Clauses

While all noun clauses are subordinate, not all subordinate clauses are noun clauses. A noun clause functions as a noun, while other subordinate clauses function differently. For example:

• An adjective clause describes a noun or pronoun.
• An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb.

Here’s a comparison:

• Noun Clause: “I know that you are right.”
• Adjective Clause: “The man who helped me is kind.”
• Adverb Clause: “She left because she was tired.”

In each case, the subordinate clause plays a different role in the sentence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Noun Clause

Even though noun clauses can be simple to use, there are some common mistakes to watch out for.

Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Conjunction

Sometimes, people mix up the conjunctions that introduce noun clauses. For example, using “if” instead of “whether” in a sentence like this:

• Incorrect: “I’m not sure if she will come.”
• Correct: “I’m not sure whether she will come.”

Mistake 2: Confusing Noun Clauses with Other Clauses

It’s easy to confuse noun clauses with other types of clauses, especially adjective and adverb clauses. Remember, noun clauses always act as a noun in the sentence. For example:

• Noun Clause: “I believe that she is correct.”
• Adjective Clause: “The book that I read was fascinating.”

Mistake 3: Forgetting to Check Verb Agreement

When using noun clauses, make sure the verb tenses match between the main sentence and the noun clause. For example:

• Incorrect: “I knew that she is going to win.”
• Correct: “I knew that she was going to win.”

FAQs

What is a noun clause? 

A noun clause is a group of words that act together as a noun in a sentence. It usually starts with words like that, what, or who. Even though it has a subject and a verb, it depends on the rest of the sentence to make sense.

How do I identify a noun clause? 

You can spot a noun clause by looking for a group of words that act like a noun in the sentence. It often starts with words like that, what, or who and usually follows a verb. If it answers what or who in the sentence, it’s likely a noun clause.

What’s the difference between a noun clause and a noun phrase? 

A noun phrase is just a group of words that work together as a noun, without a verb. A noun clause, on the other hand, has a subject and a verb but still acts as a noun in the sentence. For example, “what you said” is a noun clause, while “your words” is a noun phrase.

Can a noun clause be the subject of a sentence? 

Yes, a noun clause can act as the subject of a sentence. For example, in the sentence, “What you said was surprising,” the noun clause “what you said” is the subject. It functions just like a noun would.

How do noun clauses connect to the rest of the sentence? 

Noun clauses are usually connected to the rest of the sentence with words like that, what, who, or whether. These are called subordinating conjunctions and they show the relationship between the noun clause and the main sentence. For example, “I believe that you are right” uses the word that to link the noun clause to the main verb.

What are common mistakes with noun clauses? 

A common mistake is using the wrong subordinating conjunction, like using if instead of whether. Another mistake is confusing noun clauses with other types of clauses, like adjective or adverb clauses. It’s also important to make sure the verb tense in the noun clause matches the main sentence.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve explored the noun clause in depth. We’ve covered what it is, the different types of noun clauses, and how to identify them in a sentence. By understanding how noun clauses function as subjects, objects, or complements, you can make your writing more dynamic and engaging. Keep practicing, and soon, using noun clauses will become second nature!