UNIVERSIDAD GERARDO BARRIOS

SEDE CENTRAL SAN MIGUEL /CENTRO REGIONAL USULUTAN

Datos Generales

Faculty Arts and Sciences

Course English Grammar 3

Professor William R. Amaya

Unit number 2

Content to be developed Noun Clauses

COURSE COMPETENCY

Analyze with greater precision the characteristics, concepts, and functions of

sentences through the structuring and application of grammar rules of a
morphological and syntactic type at an advanced level, working individually
and collaboratively.

Learning Outcomes:

• Student will be able to identify Noun Clauses in Sentences

• Students will be able to create sentences with Noun Clauses
 Week 7: From February 26 to March 03

• DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTENT

Noun Clauses

A noun clause is a dependent clause that acts as a noun. It can be used as the
subject, direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, subject
complement, or appositive.

Subject: What I had forgotten was that I had a test today.

Direct object: You must choose which flavor of ice cream you want.

Indirect object: I will tell whoever will listen my frightening story.

Object of a preposition: Josie is not interested in whatever Kyle says.

Subject complement: Michael's excuse was that he had forgotten to set his
alarm.

Appositive: It seems to bother the teacher that all the students are being too
quiet.

(That the students are being too quiet seems to bother the teacher. Note that
the appositive renames It, but does not follow immediately like other
appositives.)

It can also be used as an adverbial noun (a.k.a. an adverbial objective or

adjective complement), which is a noun that acts like an adverb modifying a
verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
I'm afraid that we don't carry that ice cream flavor any longer. (The dependent
clause modifies the predicate adjective afraid.)

Noun clauses often begin with pronouns, subordinating conjunctions, or other

words. The introductory word generally has a grammatical function in the
sentence.

Relative pronouns: that, which, who, whom, whose, what

Indefinite relative pronouns: whoever, whomever, whatever, whichever,
whether, if
Interrogative pronoun: who
Interrogative adjective: what
Interrogative adverb: how
Subordinating conjunctions: how, if, when, whenever, where, whether, why

Hint:

Whoever/Whomever - the correct choice in formal writing is whichever pronoun

is correct in the subordinate sentence. In informal speech, using the correct
pronoun often sounds pretentious.

Whoever is responsible for this mess needs to clean it up. (Whoever is the
subject of the verb is.)
Whomever you hit accidentally deserves an apology. (Whomever is the direct
object of the verb hit.)

Some noun clauses, especially those used as subjects, begin with that, which
seems to serve no function. It makes sense if you include the fact or the
idea before it. Some modern English constructions that seem to make no sense
are the result of our dropping words.
Example:

• That we were late to class really upset the teacher.

• The fact that we were late to class really upset the teacher.

Question clauses - In a noun clause, even if the main clause is a question, the
dependent clause is written as a declarative.

Where is your father?

Do you know where your father is?
Not: Do you know where is your father?
When did you assign that?
We all asked when you assigned that.
Not: We all asked when did you assign that. (Unless the noun clause is in
quotation marks.)

Noun Clauses

A noun clause is a clause that plays the role of a noun. For example (noun
clauses shaded):

• I like what I see.

(Like all clauses, a noun clause has a subject and a verb. In this example, the
subject of the clause is "I" and the verb is "see.")

• I know that patience has its limits.

(In this example, the subject of the clause is "patience" and the verb is "has.")

Compare the two examples above to these:

• I like innovation.
 • I know people.

The words in bold are all nouns. This proves that the shaded clauses in the first
two examples are functioning as nouns.
The Composition of a Noun Clause
Let's look quickly at the definition for "clause."

Definition of "Clause"
A clause has a subject and a verb and functions as one part of speech.
(It follows therefore that a noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence.)

Lots of noun clauses start with "that," "how," or a "wh"-word (i.e., "what," "who,"
"which," "when," "where," or "why"). For example:

• I know that it happened.

• I know how it happened.
• I know why it happened.

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 a pronoun. If you can, your phrase or clause is
functioning as a noun.

• What I say is true.

(Pronoun test: "It is true." This proves that "What I say" is functioning as a noun.)

• Show me how they work.

(Pronoun test: "Show me them." This proves that "how they work" is functioning
as a noun.)
Easy Examples of Noun Clauses

Here are some easy examples of noun clauses. In each example, the noun
clause is shaded, the subject of the clause is bold, and the verb of the noun
clause is underlined.

• 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.)

The Function of Noun Clauses

Like any noun, a noun clause can be a subject, an object, or a complement.

Here are some more easy examples of noun clauses as subjects, objects, and
complements.

• Whoever smelt it dealt it.

(Here, the noun clause is a subject.)

• My command is whatever you wish.

(Here, the noun clause is a subject complement.)

• I will give what you said some thought.

(Here, the noun clause is an indirect object. That's pretty rare.)

Real-Life Examples of Noun Clauses

Here are some real-life examples:

• Light knows when you are looking at it. ("Light and space" artist James
Turrell)

(Here, the noun clause is the direct object of the verb "knows.")

• It is a light thing for whoever keeps his foot outside trouble to advise and
counsel him that suffers. (Greek tragedian Aeschylus)

(Here, the noun clause is the object of a preposition ("for").)

• My relationships are between me and whomever I'm with, not between

me and the world. (Actress Lili Reinhart)

(Here, the noun clause is the object of a preposition ("with").)

• Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. (Playwright
George Bernard Shaw)

(Here, the noun clause is a subject complement.)

Why Should I Care About Noun Clauses?

Native English speakers use noun clauses without too many snags. However,
here are two issues related to noun clauses that occasionally arise.

Using a noun clause starting with "That" as a subject grates on the ear.

From a grammatical perspective, it is perfectly acceptable to use a noun

clause starting with "That" as the subject of a sentence. However, for many, it
sounds too unnatural. Look at this example:
 • That he believes his own story is remarkable. (Jerome Blattner)

(Starting a sentence with a noun clause starting "That" is acceptable, but it

grates on lots of people's ears. Many writers prefer ""The fact that...".)

If it grates on your ears, opt for "The fact that" instead of just "That." Bear in
mind, however, that "The fact that" is considered by some to be a tautology (a
needless repetition), meaning it has its own issue.

If you don't like "That" or "The fact that," then reword your sentence.

• It is remarkable that he believes his own story.

(You might prefer a compromise like this one.)

Choose the right version of "who" and "whom" at the start of a noun clause.

"Who" is the subject of a verb. "Whom" isn't. It's the same deal with "whoever"
and "whomever."

• My relationships are between me and whomever I'm with.

(Here, "whomever" is the object of the preposition "with.")

• My relationships are between me and whoever is interested.

(Here, "whoever" is the subject of the verb "is." Note that the clause "whoever is
interested" is the object of the preposition "between," but that doesn't mean
that "whoever" becomes "whomever." If your "whoever" is the subject of a
verb, then "whoever," not "whomever," is correct.)

If this made no sense to you whatsoever, just go with "who" or "whoever" every
time. Firstly, they're more common, but, secondly, most grammarians agree
that "whom" and "whomever" are on their last legs in English. They're going the
same way as "hither" and "thither."
 ACTIVIDAD DE EVALUACIÓN DE LA SEMANA
Nombre de la Actividad Noun Clauses together
Tipo de Actividad Written Activity
Tipo de Participación In pairs
Analyze with greater precision the characteristics,
concepts, and functions of sentences through the
Competencia especifica
structuring and application of grammar rules of a
de la asignatura
morphological and syntactic type at an advanced level,
working individually and collaboratively.
Instrucciones para la
Read the Attached document for further details
actividad
Fecha de Entrega March 05th, 2024 – 23: 55p.m
Instrumento de
Worksheet
evaluación
Ponderación Formative Assessment
 THE NOUN CLAUSE
A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun in the sentence. A noun clause
may be used as a subject or direct object of the verb, as a predicate noun, as
object of the preposition, or as an appositive.

Identifying Noun Clauses. Underline the noun clause in each sentence.

Example: I know what the answer is.

1. Do you know who is the governor of Ohio?

2. Susan thinks that she will get the job at Martin's Store.

3. Whoever phoned us didn't let the phone ring long enough.

4. Andy promised that he'd be on time for the party.

5. Whether or not she should go camping worried Jane.

6. Mr. Sims mentioned that he'd be late for the meeting.

7. Whoever sent us this letter should have signed his or her name.

8. Who your ancestors were makes no difference to me.

9. Mr. Barnes swore that he would tell the truth.

10. That anyone else could be doing the same experiments never occurred to him.

11. The old man knew where the treasure was kept.

12. I'll never forget what happened on our way to the carnival.

13. I knew that the safe was behind the picture.

14. Amy assured Miss Jordan that she understood the problems.

15. What happened on June 30, 1973, will never be forgotten in our town.

16. We knew that we were in for a spell of hot, humid weather.

17. Whoever visits us will be assured of a freshly painted room.

18. Whoever sent us this Christmas card forgot to sign his or her name.

19. We all believe that Jim will be elected class president.

20. Mr. Norman regrets that he didn't travel more in his youth.
Complete the following online quiz: (individual, paste the two screenshots)

https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/noun_clauses.htm