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 I don’t know where

address. 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.

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) :

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

- 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.

* 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 :

Did Patri
o ho lic? the exam
cia study
for
a n alc . ? I’m not
J a net
’t k now  I’m n sure.
Is d oesn t know ot sure w
Patricia s hether
r ’
Pete r doesn coholic tudied fo
e l r the
Pet t is an a exam (or
not).
ne
if Ja t). Did
o
(or n thei the stu
r d
not home ents d
I’ sure. work? o
Has Timothy been to the
mn
ot s
I’m
I
China? How should s
hom tuden re wh
u
know? ewo ts did ethe
rk o r
How should I know if r no their
t.
Timothy has been to
China 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 can do
you! whatever you like
unless you disturb
I will have a good others.
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.
 Infinitive Phrases :
Look how we can replace noun clauses with infinitive
phrases :

Observe :

I don’t know where

where II should
should take
take her.
her.
 I don’t know where to take her.

I don’t know if/whether

if/whetherIIshould
shouldgo
goor
ornot.
not.
I don’t know whether
whether to
to go
go or
or not.
not.

whenIIshould
A wise friend has told me when shouldshop.
shop.
A wise friend has told me when
when to
to shop.
shop.

My mother explained to me how

how much
much II ought
ought to
to spend
spend on
on new
new clothing.
clothing.
how much
 My mother explained to me how much to
to spend
spend on
on new
new clothing.
clothing.
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 How old is Patricia?

2 Where did Luis go?

3 Why did Maria leave?

4 What time does the show start?

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

6 Who is Kim’s best friend?

7 How much money did he spend on that stereo?

I hope you have
enjoyed this
presentation.

You can find more

examples and exercises
in your books.

Thank you,
ipek