NOUN CLAUSES

"A dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) is a clause that cannot stand alone, because something about it implies that there is more to come. On its own, a dependent clause is left hanging, its meaning incomplete. It must be combined with an independent clause in order to form a complete sentence.

"A dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) is a clause that cannot stand alone, because something about it implies that there is more to come. On its own, a dependent clause is left hanging, its meaning incomplete. It must be combined with an independent clause in order to form a complete sentence.

A dependent clause that functions as a noun (that is, as a subject, object, or complement) within a sentence. Also known as a nominal clause.

A dependent clause that functions as a noun (that is, as a subject, object, or complement) within a sentence. Also known as a nominal clause.

A dependent clause that functions as a noun adverb clauses, adjective clauses, and noun clauses.

A dependent clause that functions as a noun adverb clauses, adjective clauses, and noun clauses.

A group of words made up of a subject and a predicate. An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence. By itself, an independent clause (also known as a main clause) is a simple sentence.

A group of words made up of a subject and a predicate. An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence. By itself, an independent clause (also known as a main clause) is a simple sentence.

simple conjunctions: when, whenever, where, wherever, because, if, unless, until, while, as, although conjunctive groups: as if, as though, even if, even though, even when, soon after, no sooner complex conjunctions:: there are three subclasses:

simple conjunctions: when, whenever, where, wherever, because, if, unless, until, while, as, although conjunctive groups: as if, as though, even if, even though, even when, soon after, no sooner complex conjunctions:: there are three subclasses:

Dependent signals which introduce noun clauses Who Whom Whose Which That if Whether What When Where How Why And various forms of "-ever": Whoever Whenever Whatever Wherever

Dependent signals which introduce noun clauses Who Whom Whose Which That if Whether What When Where How Why And various forms of "-ever": Whoever Whenever Whatever Wherever

Noun Clauses Used with Common Phrases Noun clauses beginning with question words or if/whether are often used with common phrases such as: I don't know ... I can't remember ... Please tell me ... Do you know ... This use of noun clauses is also known as indirect questions. In indirect questions, we use a phrase to introduce a question with a short phrase and turn the question into a noun clause in statement order. When will he return? Noun clause / indirect question: I don't know when he will return. Where are we going? Noun clause / indirect question: I can't remember where we are going. What time is it? Noun clause / indirect question: Please tell me what time it is. When does the plan arrive? Noun clause / indirect question: Do you know when the plane arrives? Yes / No Questions Yes / no questions can be expressed as noun clauses using if / whether: Are you coming to the party? Noun clause / indirect question: I don't know if you are coming to the party. Is it expensive? Noun clause / indirect question: Please tell me whether it is expensive. Have they lived there long? Noun clause / indirect question: I'm not sure if they have lived there long.

Noun Clauses Used with Common Phrases Noun clauses beginning with question words or if/whether are often used with common phrases such as: I don't know ... I can't remember ... Please tell me ... Do you know ... This use of noun clauses is also known as indirect questions. In indirect questions, we use a phrase to introduce a question with a short phrase and turn the question into a noun clause in statement order. When will he return? Noun clause / indirect question: I don't know when he will return. Where are we going? Noun clause / indirect question: I can't remember where we are going. What time is it? Noun clause / indirect question: Please tell me what time it is. When does the plan arrive? Noun clause / indirect question: Do you know when the plane arrives? Yes / No Questions Yes / no questions can be expressed as noun clauses using if / whether: Are you coming to the party? Noun clause / indirect question: I don't know if you are coming to the party. Is it expensive? Noun clause / indirect question: Please tell me whether it is expensive. Have they lived there long? Noun clause / indirect question: I'm not sure if they have lived there long.

Noun clauses are not modifiers, so they are not subordinators like adjectives and adverbs, and they cannot stand alone. They must function within another sentence pattern, always as nouns. A noun clause functions as a subject, subject complement, direct object, or object of a preposition. A noun clause usually begins with a relative pronoun like "that," "which," "who," "whoever," "whomever," "whose," "what," and "whatsoever." It can also begin with the subordinating conjunctions "how," "when," "where," "whether," and "why."

Noun clauses are not modifiers, so they are not subordinators like adjectives and adverbs, and they cannot stand alone. They must function within another sentence pattern, always as nouns. A noun clause functions as a subject, subject complement, direct object, or object of a preposition. A noun clause usually begins with a relative pronoun like "that," "which," "who," "whoever," "whomever," "whose," "what," and "whatsoever." It can also begin with the subordinating conjunctions "how," "when," "where," "whether," and "why."

Remember 1. A noun is a part of speech. 2. Subjects and objects are parts of a sentence. 3. Nouns function as subjects or objects. 4. Therefore: Nouns = subjects or objects.

Remember 1. A noun is a part of speech. 2. Subjects and objects are parts of a sentence. 3. Nouns function as subjects or objects. 4. Therefore: Nouns = subjects or objects.

Remember To find the subject of a sentence, locate the verb and ask who or what about the verb. In the sentence above, ask "what gave me heartburn?" "I"? clearly not. "Breakfast"? not exactly. "What I had for breakfast"? Right.

Remember To find the subject of a sentence, locate the verb and ask who or what about the verb. In the sentence above, ask "what gave me heartburn?" "I"? clearly not. "Breakfast"? not exactly. "What I had for breakfast"? Right.

The wonderful thing about English teachers is that they all get along so well. (This noun clause is used as a subject complement) I must decide which English course to take. (This noun clause is used as a direct object.) English teachers dispense wisdom to whoever will listen. (This noun clause is the object of a preposition)

The wonderful thing about English teachers is that they all get along so well. (This noun clause is used as a subject complement) I must decide which English course to take. (This noun clause is used as a direct object.) English teachers dispense wisdom to whoever will listen. (This noun clause is the object of a preposition)

Types of Subordinating Conjunctions "Finite clauses are introduced by a subordinator, which serves to indicate the dependent status of the clause together with its circumstantial meaning. Formally, subordinating conjunctions can be grouped as follows: simple conjunctions: when, whenever, where, wherever, because, if, unless, until, while, as, although conjunctive groups: as if, as though, even if, even though, even when, soon after, no sooner complex conjunctions:: there are three subclasses: (i) derived from verbs . . .: provided (that), granted (that), considering (that), seeing (that), suppose (that), supposing (that), so (that) (ii) containing a noun: in case, in the event that, to the extent that, in spite of the fact that, the day, the way (iii) adverbial: so/as long as, as soon as, so/as far as, much as, now (that)"

Types of Subordinating Conjunctions "Finite clauses are introduced by a subordinator, which serves to indicate the dependent status of the clause together with its circumstantial meaning. Formally, subordinating conjunctions can be grouped as follows: simple conjunctions: when, whenever, where, wherever, because, if, unless, until, while, as, although conjunctive groups: as if, as though, even if, even though, even when, soon after, no sooner complex conjunctions:: there are three subclasses: (i) derived from verbs . . .: provided (that), granted (that), considering (that), seeing (that), suppose (that), supposing (that), so (that) (ii) containing a noun: in case, in the event that, to the extent that, in spite of the fact that, the day, the way (iii) adverbial: so/as long as, as soon as, so/as far as, much as, now (that)"