Noun Clause

Noun Clause 1
Noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun and they begin with subordinating conjunctions (that,
if, when, etc), or interrogative pronouns & determiners (who, which, what, etc), and can contain a subject and
must contain a verb. Below are some examples
1. I don’t know that. (Pronoun)
2. I don’t know if he can come. (Noun Clause)
(Object)
3. The comment shocked the audience. (Noun)
4. What he said shocked the audience. (Noun clause)
(Subject)
Noun clause can begin with the following words
That If Whether How When
Where Why Who Whose Which
Whatever Whoever Whichever Whenever What

Within a sentence, a noun clause can function as:

1. Whoever broke the jar is in trouble. (Subject)
2. I know why he sold the car. (Object)
3. I gave the money to whoever was in the front seat. (Indirect object)
4. The question is whether we should go by train. (Complement)
5. I’m interested in what you said. (Complement of a preposition)

Exercise 1
Underline noun clauses in each sentence below.
Example: Paul asked James if he knew the answer.
1. I tried to find out where I lost the bag.
2. I didn’t see where he went.
3. Who he meets is none of my business.
4. If you want to know how you can find us, search our address on the internet.
5. I gave him what you left on the table.
6. He’s old enough to decide what he wants in life.
7. What I want in life is to travel the world and have fun.
8. The customer didn’t like what he bought.
9. Jack was disappointed with how he was treated.
10. I don’t know whether I should call him.
11. Do you know whose bag he took?
12. I will have whatever he’s having.
 Noun Clause 2
Noun clause is commonly used in reported speech. Below are some examples.

1. “I didn’t do it” → “He denied that he hadn’t done it”

2. “I broke the vase” → “He admitted that he had broken the vase.”

3. “I want to go to the beach” → “He says that he wants to go to the beach.”

4. “Can I get a drink?” → “He asked me if he could get a drink.”

The tense of the reported speech is usually one tense past of the directed speech. For example, in the first sentence
the past simple in the direct speech becomes the past perfect in the reported speech. However, as shown in the third
sentence, if the verb in the main clause is in the present tense, the verb in the reported speech is the same.

Below are some of the more common reporting verbs used.

Ask Admit Agree Announce Argue Add

Claim Comment Complain Confirm Consider Deny
Doubt Estimate Explain Feel Insist Mention
Observe Propose Remember Reveal Say State
Suggest Suppose Tell Think Understand Warn

Exercise 2
Convert the direct speech into an indirect speech using the correct reporting verb.
Example: “You should go to college.” → “I think that you should go to college.”
1. He didn’t steal your bag.
________________________________________________________________________________________
2. You must stay for dinner.
________________________________________________________________________________________
3. I will be visiting you guys next September.
________________________________________________________________________________________
4. We should go and watch a movie this weekend.
________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Joan and I will get married this September.
________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Could you pass me that book?
________________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 3.
Write an appropriate noun clause in the blanks. Appropriate pronouns have already been given.
1. What _________________________________________________________ annoyed her friends and family.

2. You should try to have a meaning conversation with whoever _____________________________________.

3. I could never understand why _______________________________________________________________.

4. Daniel plans to visit where _________________________________________________________________.

5. Who ________________________________________________________________ may impact your future.

6. The politician argued that __________________________________________________________________.

7. It’s never easy to work out whose ____________________________________________________________.

8. How ___________________________________________________________________ is the big challenge.

9. I’m wondering which _____________________________________________________________________.

10. The CEO proposed that ____________________________________________________________________.

11. Whether _______________________________________________ will determine his future at the company.

12. The crowd watching the crocodile show wondered if _____________________________________________.

Exercise 4.
Write a noun clause using the given pronoun/determiner.
1 If

2 Who

3 Whenever

4 What

5 How

6 Where

7 Whatever

8 When

9 Whether

10 Whoever

11 Whose

12 Which
 Answer Key
Exercise 1 Exercise 4.
1. I tried to find out where I lost the bag. Answers may vary.
2. I didn’t see where he went.
3. Who he meets is none of my business.
4. If you want to know you can find us, search our
address on the internet.
5. I gave him what you left on the table.
6. He’s old enough to decide what he wants in
life.
7. What I want in life is to travel the world and
have fun.
8. The customer didn’t like what he bought.
9. Jack was disappointed with how he was treated.
10. I don’t know whether I should call him.
11. Do you know whose bag he took?
12. I will have whatever he’s having.
Exercise 2
Answers may vary as more than one verb can be used for
each question.
1. I don’t think he stole your bag
2. He insisted that I stay for dinner.
3. He announced that he would be visiting us next
September.
4. He suggested that we should go and watch a
movie this weekend.
5. Joan and I revealed that we would get married this
September.
6. I asked if he could pass me that book.
Exercise 3
Answers may vary