Grammar | Sentences

What Is a Noun Clause? Meaning, Usage,

and Types
By Jennifer Gunner, M.Ed. Education, Senior Writer

UPDATED DECEMBER 8, 2022

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Noun clause sounds like the grammar-loving, word-nerd brother of Santa

Claus. (It’s not — but as word nerds ourselves, we can’t help wishing for
the types of presents Noun Clause might give out.) The decidedly less-
festive noun clause is a group of words that adds more information to a
sentence. Though you’re more likely to find a noun clause after a linking
verb than at the North Pole, it’s still an important element of a sentence.

What Is a Noun Clause?

A noun clause is a group of words acting together as a noun. They follow
linking verbs to describe or modify the subject of the sentence. Unlike
noun phrases, noun clauses contain both a subject and a verb.

Do you know what time it is?

Tom can invite whomever he chooses.

I don’t understand what you’re talking about.

Whether Roman accepts the job or not is his business.

Tip for checking if something is a noun clause: Try replacing the

clause with other nouns or pronouns. For example, in the last sentence,
you can replace the entire noun clause Whether Roman accepts the job or
not with the pronoun it.

However, “It is his business” is much less detailed and specific than
“Whether Roman accepts the job or not is his business.” Noun clauses
add important information and detail to your sentences.

How To Identify a Noun Clause in a Sentence

Because noun clauses can appear almost anywhere in a sentence, they

can be tricky to spot. They usually start with one of these subordinating
conjunctions or relative pronouns, so that’s a good place to start.

how

that

what

whatever
 when

where

whether

which

whichever

who

whoever

whom

whomever

why

While these words can be found in clauses other than noun clauses (such
as adjective clauses), noun clauses almost always start with one of these
words.

How To Use a Noun Clause in a Sentence

Now that you know how to spot a noun clause, learn how to determine its
function within the sentence. They can go anywhere a noun can go,
including subjects, objects, complements, and more.

Examples of Noun Clauses as Subjects of Sentences

When a noun clause functions as the subject of a sentence, it performs

the action in the sentence. In these cases, it usually comes right before
the verb.

What Alicia said made her friends cry.

What Megan wrote surprised her family.

How the boy behaved was not very polite.

It’s easy to assume that Alicia, Megan, and the boy are the subjects of
these sentences. But that’s not quite correct. Alicia didn’t make her friends
cry; what Alicia said made her friends cry.

Examples of Noun Clauses as Objects of Sentences

Just like all nouns, noun clauses can act as the direct object of a
sentence. They follow verbs to inform the reader of where the action is
going.

The pharmacist checked that the prescription was correct.

He didn't know why the stove wasn't working.

They now understand that you should not cheat on a test.

Remember that it’s the noun clauses, not the nouns in them, that are the
objects of the sentences. The pharmacist didn’t check the prescription; he
checked that the prescription was correct.

Examples of Noun Clauses as Subject Complements

A noun clause can also serve as a subject complement to rename the

subject of a clause. Subject complements are also called predicate
nominatives or predicate nouns.

Carlie's problem was that she didn't practice enough.

Harry's crowning achievement at school was when he became class

president.

Darla's excuse for being late was that she forgot to set her alarm.

Notice that like noun clauses as objects, these noun clauses also follow
the verb in a sentence. But like all subject complements, noun clauses as
subject complements follow forms of helping verbs (is, have, do).

Examples of Noun Clauses as Objects of Prepositions

Noun clauses also act as objects of a preposition in prepositional
phrases. 

Harry is not the best provider of what Margie needs.

Josephine is not responsible for what Alex decided to do.

Allie did some research about how Marie Curie discovered radium.

Each of these sentences could be complete before the addition of the

prepositions. However, the prepositions are introduced to provide further
detail and the noun clauses act as the objects of these prepositions.

Examples of Noun Clauses as Adjective Complements

A noun clause can also function as an adjective complement. These noun

clauses complement an adjective or adverb, and usually follow them as
well.

It’s very disappointing that you left the party early.

They're perfectly happy where they live now.

Geoffrey runs so fast that he can outrun his dog.

Similar to the examples containing prepositions, each of these sentences

could be complete after the adjective. The adjective complements provide
further detail and, in each of these instances, these adjective
complements are noun clauses.

Noun Clause vs. Noun Phrase

The difference between clauses and phrases is simple: Clauses have
subjects and verbs, and phrases don’t. The same is true for noun clauses
and noun phrases. Both function as nouns, but noun phrases don’t include
subjects and verbs. 

Additionally, noun clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions and

relative pronouns; noun phrases begin with nouns or personal pronouns.
 Noun Clause - Whatever you decide is fine with me.

Noun Phrase - Chinese food is fine with me.

Noun Clause - Miranda knows that she should apologize.

Noun Phrase - Miranda knows my youngest brother.

Noun Clause - Have you seen where the battle took place?

Noun Phrase - Have you seen this new movie?  MENU

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Noun Clauses Are Coming to Town 
Noun clauses may not be as jolly or generous as Old Saint Nick, but
they’re just as helpful and accommodating. And best of all, you don’t need
to wait until winter to find them — they appear wherever you need them
(just like that sentence!) to clarify your writing. Get even clearer with a
guide to the grammar rules you need to follow, as well as the ones you
can actually break.