A noun clause is a group of words (containing a verb), which is the subject or object of the main clause verb: In the

sentence "I demand that he be here", the words "that he be here" are the noun clause, object of the main verb "demand". The subjunctive is used in a noun clause when the main verb expresses influence (an indirect command), emotion, doubt, disbelief or denial. Exijo que est aqu. I demand that he be here.

A. INFLUENCE: After verbs expressing want, desire, hope, request, insistence, command, suggestion, etc., what is in the clause is like a command and must be in the subjunctive: B. EMOTION: When the main verb expresses any subjective attitudes (sorrow, surprise, anger, indifference, concern, hope), the verb in the noun clause must be in the subjunctive: C. DOUBT, DISBELIEF or DENIAL: When the main verb expresses uncertainty or denies a previous statement, the verb in the noun clause should be in the subjunctive:

Definition: 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. Two common types of noun clause in English are that-clauses andwh-clauses:

that-clause: I believe that everything happens for a reason.

wh-clause: How do I know what I think, until I seewhat I say?

NOUN CLAUSES 2 (Function)

A. Noun clauses perform the same functions in sentences that nouns do: A noun clause can be a subject of a verb: What Billy did shocked his friends. A noun clause can be an object of a verb:

Billys friends didnt know that he couldnt swim. A noun clause can be a subject complement: Billys mistake was that he refused to take lessons. A noun clause can be an object of a preposition: Mary is not responsible for what Billy did. A noun clause (but not a noun) can be an adjective complement: Everybody is sad that Billy drowned.