NOUN CLAUSE AS SUBJECTS AND OBJECT

Noun clauses as subjects or after empty subject it

We can use a noun clause beginning with that (=’the fact that’) or a wh-
word as the subject before a verb, but usually only in formal situations
Ex: - That we won the match surprised everyone.
- How the thieves broke in is obvious, but why they only took one old
computer is a mystery.

Instead of putting the noun clause in subject position, we usually use it as an

empty subject and put the that-clause or the wh-clause at the end.
Ex: - It surprised everyone that we won the match.
- It's obvious how the thieves broke in, but it's a mystery why they only took
one old computer.

We can use whether or if in a noun clause at the end after it as subject, but
only whether in a noun clause in subject position
Ex: - It doesn't really matter whether/if you go now or later.
- Whether you go now or later docan't really matter. (NOT If you go now or
later doesn't matter)

Noun clauses as objects or after empty object it

We can use a noun clause as an object after a verb to express facts or ideas,
and in indirect speech
Ex: - We learned that pineapples don't grow on trees.
- Ewan suggested that we should leave early.
- She said that she felt that everyone was against her.

After verbs such as show and tell, we include an indirect object (you, me)
before a noun clause as direct object .
Ex: - I'll show you how it works.
- He told me that he loved me. (NOT He told that he loved me)
Other verbs used like this include: assure, convince, inform, notify,
persuade, remind, warn

After verbs of liking' (or 'not liking'), we use it as an empty object before a
noun clause.
Ex: - He doesn't like it that she still smokes.
- I hate it that nobody ever cleans up after the meetings.

After 'thinking' verbs such as consider and think, we can use it as an empty
object plus a noun or adjective before a noun clause.
 After verbs such as regard, see or view, we use it + as before a noun or
adjective and a noun clause .
Ex: - We thought it odd that no one called us. (NOT We thought odd that no one
called us)
- Many people regard it as a really bad idea that the police have started
carrying guns.