NOUN CLAUSES

Derived From Introductory Function Examples

Conjuction
1. Statement that subject That Papaya grows in Boyolali is well known
Papaya grows in It is well known that papaya grows in Boyolali
Boyolali object I know that papaya grows in Boyolali
2. Yes/No Question whether (or not) subject Whether he is alright (or not) doesn’t concern
Is he alright? or if me.
object I don’t know whether he is alright (or not).
3. Wh Question who, what, when, subject What time it is is not my business.
What time is it? which, where, object I don’t know what time it is.
why, how, etc.
4. A Request that object He suggested that I write the letter soon.
Write the letter
soon!
5. An Exclamation what, how object I hadn’t realized what a pretty girl she was.
What a pretty
girl she is!
How pretty she object I hadn’t realized how pretty girl she was.
is!

A. Sequence of Tenses in Noun Clauses (1)

A noun clause consists of a subject and predicate that functions as a noun. One of its most common functions is
as the object of a verb, especially of a verb of asserting or mental activity. If such a verb is in the past tense, the
verb in the noun clause object takes past form also.
1) Indirect Speech –Noun Clauses from Statements

Present Main Verb Past Main Verb

(No Sequence of Tenses) (Sequence of Tenses)
He says that He said that
The train always arrives late. The train always arrived late.
The train is arriving. The train was arriving.
The train arrived late. The train had arrived late.
The train has just arrived. The train had just arrived.
The train will arrive soon. The train would arrive soon.
The train may be arriving soon. The train might be arriving soon.
Having understood the above sentences, let’s do these following exercises! Change to indirect speech!
Observe the sequence of tenses. Make the necessary changes in pronouns!
EXAMPLE: He said,”I need more time to get ready.”
He said that he needed more time to get ready.

1. He said, “They have already finished the work.”

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2. He said,”Construction on your house will begin as soon as the lumber arrives.”

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3. The technician said,”The laboratory has already sent in the report.”

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 4. The mechanic said,”Your car is repaired and you can pick it up at the garage.”

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5. She said,”We are planning a farewell party for our two guests.”

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6. He said,”I will meet you at the airport whenever you wish.”

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7. Our visitor said,”It rains a great deal in my country.”

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8. He said,”The weather is so bad that I won’t go out at all.”

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9. The gardener said,”The bushes should be trimmed once a month.”

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10. She said,”My parentslive too far awayfor me to vist them often.”

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2) Indirect Speech Noun Clauses from Questions

Change to indirect speech. Observe tghe sequence of tenses and make the necessary changes in pronouns.
Use a period at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE: He asked me, ”Does the train always arrive late?”
He asked me whether (or if) the train always arrived late.
1. He asked me, “Will the report be ready soon?”

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2. He asked me, “Has anyone found the missing dog?”

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3. He asked me, “What is your name?”

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4. He asked me, “What colour do you want?”

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5. He asked me, “How much does this umbrella cost?”

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6. He asked me, “Can you cook?”

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7. He asked me, “Where is the post office?”

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8. He asked me, “Why didn’t you answer when I called you?”

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9. He asked me, “ Who was hurt in the accident?”

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10. He asked me, “ Can anyone enter the contest?”

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11. He asked me, “ When are they leaving for Jogja?”

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12. He asked me, “ Is the bus non-stop?”

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13. He asked me, “ Have you ever been to Lombok?”

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14. He asked me, “ Which typewriter do you like better?”

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15. He asked me, “ Who is that pretty girl?”

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16. He asked me, “ What time is it?”

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17. He asked me, “ Whose hat is this?”

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18. He asked me, “ Whom does this hat belong to?”

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19. He asked me, “ How long have you been waiting?”

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20. He asked me, “ Which beach did you go to?”

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I. Sequence of Tenses in Noun Clauses (2)

Change the main verb to the past tense and make the changes in the noun clauses required by the sequence of
tenses!
EXAMPLE: He denies that he took the money
He denied that he had taken the money.
I know that I can do the work if he will give me the chance.
I knew that I could do the work if he would give me the chance.

1. We believe that he may take the late train home.

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2. I assume that he will pay me for the damage to may car.

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3. I think that the baby is crying.

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4. We doubt that they have already left.

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5. I suppose that they are out to lunch.

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6. Our neighbors are threatening that they will call the cop if we continue to play such loud music

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7. She is pretending that she hasn’t seen his come into the room.

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8. I suppose that the secretary who has just been hired will prove to be satisfactory.

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9. She complaining that the doctor is charging too much.

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10. I promise that after the ball game is over I will come straight home.

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B. Noun Clauses Objects from Exclamations

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 Change the exclamation sentences below into a noun clause object! Be careful to observe the sequence of
tenses after a past main verb!
EXAMPLE:What a terrible cold she has!
Did you notice what a terrible cold she had?

1. How noisy this typewriter is!

I had not realized _______________________________________________________
2. What a wonderful hostess she is!
No one can ever forget ___________________________________________________
3. How late it is!
I hadn’t realized ________________________________________________________

C. Noun Clauses after Wish Referring to Present Time

After the verb wish, a that noun clause may refer to present or past tense. The introductory that is often
omitted, especially in informal usage.
Wishes referring to present time are contrary to fact. The past subjunctive form of the verb is used for such
wishes.
Supply the correct form of the following present contrary-to-fact wishes! Omit the introductory tbat!
EXAMPLE I’m at home now. I wish (be at the beach)
I wish I were at the beach.
That’s a beautiful picture. I wish (know how to paint)
I wish I knew how to paint.

1. I have black skin. I wish (have white skin)

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2. Our dormitory is very noisy. We wish (can move away from here)

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3. I’m only a housewife. I have often wished (be a glamorous movie star)

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4. They live in a tropical climate now. They wish (can live in a more moderate climate)

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5. We have to work on our income taxes tonight. Don’t you wish (can go shopping instead)?

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6. It’s very cold outside. I wish (be warmer)

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7. She lives in the eastern part of Indonesia. She wishes (live in the west)

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8. It’s hard to express myself in English. I wish (can speak English well)

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9. We are sorry you to have to leave now. We wish (can stay longer)

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10. My cat isn’t eating. I wish (know what the matter is)

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D. Wishes with Would

Wishes with would often represent present-to-future. Would is used for a wish that is possible to realize.
I wish (that) it would stop raining vs I wish (that) it weren’t raining now.
I wish (that) he would study harder. vs I wih (that) he studied harder.
(These are both contrary-to-fact at the present time)
Supply the correct form for the following wishes that are possible to realize! Omit the introductory that.
EXAMPLE He is a nuisance. I wish (go away)
I wish he would go away.

1. His hair is very very long. His mother wishes (have it cut)

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2. The stock market keeps going down. I wish (start to go up again)

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3. I like a well-kept home. I wish (my neighbors keep their yard clean)

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4. Our television set isn’t working. I wish you (have it fixed)

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5. You’re driving too fast. I wish (slow down)

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E. Noun Clauses after Wish Referring to Past Tense

Wishes referring to past time are not realized. Past perfect forms are used in such wishes.
Supply the correct form for the following past unrealized wishes! Omit the introductory that.
EXAMPLE I feel very uncomfortable. I wish (not eat too much)
I wish I had not eaten too much.

1. She lives in the city now. She wishes (never leave the country)

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2. This house is too small. I wish (not buy it)

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3. I can’t come to the meeting. I wish (know about it yesterday)

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4. Everyone in the party is dressed so formally. I wish (put on my new suit)

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5. I’m catching a cold. I wish (not go out in the rain yesterday)

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6. We miss our old car. I wish (not be in such a hurry to sell it)

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7. The car is out of gas. I wish (think of getting some before se started our trip)

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8. He has undertaken an impossible task. In a few weeks he will wish (never start it)

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F. That Clauses after Verbs of Urgent

That clauses after verbs like suggest, request, require, urge, demand require the simple form of the verb.
This simple form is used regardless of the sense of the main verb.
suggests
suggested we hold more meetings.
The committee has suggested that everything be prepared in advance.
had suggested he not give the report.
will suggest
Note that such clauses are made negative by the use of not before the verb. Except in that clauses after verbs
of strong urgency like command, demand, less formal usage permits the auxiliary should to accompany the
verb –The committee suggests that we should hold more meetings.
EXAMPLE The law requires this.
Everyone must take a test for a driver’s license.
The law requires that everyone take a test for a driver’s license.

1. The lawyer advised this.

He should sue his tenant for back payment of rent.

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2. Her mother insists on this.
She has to be back home by midnight.

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 3. The stockbroker has recommended this.
They should not buy that particular stock now.

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4. Her employer demands this.
She must come to work on time.

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5. The committee proposed this.
A lawyer should be consulted regarding their legal rights.

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6. We strongly urge this.
You should not interfere in this matter.

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7. May I ask this of you?
Do not tell anyone about our plan!

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8. The city has forbidden this.
Garbage is dumped in the river.

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9. The docter has suggested this.
The patient should take a long vacation.
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10. We desire this.
The tour leader should notify us immediately of any change in plans.

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G. That Clauses after Adjectives of Urgency

The simple form of the verb is used in that clauses after adjectives of urgency like important, necessary,
essential and urgent. Example: “It is important that she fill out a registration form.”
1. This is necessary
You must bring a notebook to class.

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2. This is urgent
The police must be notified about those strange phone calls.

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3. This is essential.
Do not write checks for more money.

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4. This is important.
No one should say anything to him.

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 5. This is advisable.
Do not eat any citrus foods.

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6. This is desirable.
The course in general science should be taken.

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7. This is imperative.
Get your passport renewed before you leave the country.

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8. This is vital.
Do not permit our competitors to know our plans.

H. Changing Statements to Indirect Speech

EXAMPLE:In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes. (Benjamin Franklin)
Benjamin said that in this world nothing was certain but death and taxes.

1. God helps those that help themselves. (Benjamin Franklin)

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2. Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime (Aristoteles)

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3. An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less (Butler)

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4. Birds of a feather flock together. (Cervantes)

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5. Every man should look before he leaps. (Cervantes)

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