English Language

NOUN CLAUSE
The Function of Noun Clauses

•Noun clauses are dependent clauses that

can replace any noun in the sentence:
subjects, objects, and/or subject
complements.
•In all, there are five different functions that
a noun clause can serve: subjects, direct
objects, indirect objects, objects of the
preposition, and subject complements.
How To Check If Your Clause Is Functioning
As a Noun
A great way to check whether a phrase or clause is functioning as a noun is
to have a go at replacing it with the word ’something’. I
•What I say is true.(something test: “Something is true." This proves that
"What I say" functions as a noun.)

•Show me how they work.(Something test: "Show me Something ." This

proves that "how they work" is functioning as a noun.)
Easy Examples of Noun Clauses

•I know that the story is true.

•I saw how the accident happened.
•I understand why it was necessary.
•I know who said that.

Often, the opening word (i.e., "how," "that," or the

"wh"-word) is the subject of the noun clause.
Noun clauses also known as
Nominal Clauses are introduced by
one of the following words:
“how”, “that”, “what”, “when”,
“whether”, “which”, “who”, “why”.
They can be replaced with a
pronoun.
 FUNCTIONS OF A NOUN CLAUSE

1.Subject of a verb
Examples:
a.Why Ade resigned the post is yet unknown.
b.That the brilliant student failed the exams is
a mystery.
c. How you did it is not my concern.
2. Object of a verb
Examples:
a. My parents suggested that I should
join the army.
b.They showed us where they buried
their grandfather.
c. The victims narrated how they literally
saw hell.
•3. Subject Complement
•Examples:
•a. His remark was that he hates child abuse.
•b. The truth is that the students were taught
well.
•c. That was how they left the party
unannounced.
•4. Object of a Preposition
•Examples:
•a. The pupils paid careful attention to
what their teacher was saying.
•b. The workers were careful of what the
management would do.
c. The aspirant gave money to whoever
had promised to vote for him.
CLASSWORK
List the functions of noun
clause.
Illustrate each function in two
sentences as well.