NOUN CLAUSE

K I N A N T I R . H AYAT I

U P N V E T E R A N J AT I M
What is a Noun Clause?
What does noun clause mean? A noun clause is a
dependent clause that contains a subject and a verb. A
noun clause functions as noun in a sentence.

A noun clause cannot stand alone because it is not a

complete thought. It must always be paired with an
independent (main) clause.

Noun clause definition: A noun clause is a clause that

plays the role of a noun in a sentence. Noun clauses
will contain a subject and a verb, but they cannot stand
alone in a sentence.
Noun Clause as an Object
A noun clause can function as a direct object, an 
indirect object, or the object of a preposition.

Noun Clause Example as Direct Object:

•The goal of our company is what is explained in the

profile.
• The underlined portion of the sentence contains
the subject and the verb. The italicized portion is
the noun clause which contains a subject and
verb but is a dependent clause. The noun clause
is acting as the direct object of the sentence.
Noun Clause Example as Indirect Object:

•Don’t forget to send whoever attended the conference a

follow-up email.
• The direct object of the sentence is a “follow-up
email.” The recipient of that email is the noun
clause, also the indirect object.

Noun Clause Example as Object of Preposition:

•You should speak about how your parents immigrated

to this country.
• The underlined portion of the sentence is a
prepositional phrase, beginning with the 
preposition “about” and ending with the noun
clause. The noun clause acts as the object of the
preposition.
Noun Clause as a Subject
Since a noun clause is a noun, it can function as a
subject of a sentence. Here are a few noun clause
sentences where the noun clause is the subject of the
sentence.

•Whatever you decide to do is fine with me.

•How you made that decision baffles me.
•Why we chose not to include you is none of your
business.

In each of these examples, the italicized noun clause is

performing the action of the sentence, functioning as
the subject.
How to Identify a Noun Clause
A few identifiers will help you locate a noun clause in a
sentence.

Noun clauses often begin with one of (but not only)

these words:
•how
•that
•what
•who
•why

- Noun clauses contain a subject and a verb but they

cannot stand alone. Noun clauses are dependent
clauses that must be paired with an independent
(main) clause.
- To see if a clause is a noun clause, identify its role in
the sentence. If it is acting as a noun, it is a noun
clause (as opposed to an adjective clause, for
example).
Using Subjunctive in Noun Clauses

The subjunctive case appears in noun clauses. It is acceptable

in formal writing and speaking but is not common in everyday
language.

The common use of the subjunctive case in a noun clause is

after verbs like advise, ask, demand, insist, urge, require.

The formula for a noun clause in the subjunctive case looks like
this:
•object + infinitive + (object of infinitive)

Examples of noun clauses in subjective case:

•The school requires students to complete all courses.
•I asked her to help me.
•The manager urged his employees to provide exceptional
customer service.
S U M M A R Y: W H AT A R E N O U N C L A U S E S ?

Define noun clause: The definition of a noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun in a sentence.
Noun clauses,
• contain a subject and a verb
• are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone
• function as a noun in the sentence
• generally begin with particular words

https://writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary/noun-clause