Simply put, a noun clause is a dependent clause that takes the place of a noun in the sentence. I include many example sentences. I didn’t realize that the car was moving.. “What you said yesterday” is a thing, therefore the clause is a noun. (noun clause) I don’t know when she moved to the United States. In the noun clause “you said” is a subject plus a verb. A noun clause is a nonfinite clause that is subordinate, dependent, and restrictive. Noun clauses often begin with one of (but not only) these words: Noun clauses contain a subject and a verb but they cannot stand alone. noun clause example. Noun clauses function as nouns. Here the that-clause ‘that he is innocent’ is the object of the verb believe.. She said that she can speak three languages. The noun clause plays the role of a noun in a sentence. They cannot stand on their own because they are not a complete thought and must be paired with the main clause. What is … (e.g)Who is intelligent? Lots of noun clauses start with 'that,' 'how,' or a 'wh'-word (e.g., 'why,' 'what'). Here are some examples of what we studied last time. A noun clause does the work of a noun. A noun clause functions as noun in a sentence. Noun clauses are used with indirect speech. Noun clauses contain a subject and a verb. Download Grammarly's app to help with eliminating grammar errors and finding the right words. Also, it can be a part of an independent clause. Like the relative clause, a noun clause usually begins with a relative pronoun. Here, the underlined portion is the independent clause that can stand alone. A noun clause can function as a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition. A clause contrasts with a phrase, which does not contain a subject and a verb.The distinction between a clause and a phrase is clearer when you see them side by side: You can also begin a sentence with a noun clause: Why he did that is a mystery. What is Noun Clause, Example Sentences englishstudyhere 2 years ago No Comments A noun clause is that contains a finite verb and functioning like a noun within a sentences. Like all clauses, a noun clause has a subject and a verb. Glamor or Glamour – What’s the Difference? In English grammar, a noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun (that is, as a subject, object, or complement) within a sentence. Here the noun clause ‘that I will win the first prize’ acts as the object of the verb ‘hope’. The noun clauses can replace nouns. In a declarative sentence —one of the most common applications for these clauses—a what clause, which functions as a noun, may serve as the subject (usually followed by a form of the verb be ), subject complement , or object of a sentence. The direct object of the sentence is a “follow-up email.” The recipient of that email is the noun clause, also the indirect object. If you don't want to start your sentence with "That" or "The fact that," then reword your sentence. Noun clauses generally are the same as nouns, except that they are made up of two or more words, and nouns are single words. Noun clauses are dependent clauses that must be paired with an independent (main) clause. Usually, an adjective clause is very close to the noun it describes. In each of these examples, the italicized noun clause is performing the action of the sentence, functioning as the subject. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the subject and the verb. More examples of noun clauses are given below. Noun Clause Example as Object of Preposition: Since a noun clause is a noun, it can function as a subject of a sentence. She asked whether we will come. Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is a Noun Clause? Noun clauses often begin with pronouns, subordinating conjunctions, or other words. A noun clause is a type of dependent clause that acts as the noun with a purpose to name a person, place, thing, or idea. A noun clause functions as noun in a sentence. The main difference between noun clause and the adjective clause is that noun clause functions as a noun whereas adjective clause functions as an adjective. (Object – that she can speak three languages)I suspect that she eloped with her boyfriend.. A dependent clause is a phrase that can't stand on its own as a complete sentence. Below we have outlined some of the more popular ways you will see noun clauses in sentences. What the little girl did was downright inspiring.. Whoever wrote this book deserves a Pulitzer.. She looked at him tenderly and with a sad expression in her dark blue eyes but could not speak. Cont.. Adjective clause is a dependent clause that describes a noun in another part of a sentence. It is acceptable in formal writing and speaking but is not common in everyday language. Object. To see if a clause is a noun clause, identify its role in the sentence. Take a look at some sample sentences containing noun clauses to understand their purpose and function. A noun clause is a group of words acting together as a noun. A noun clause is a dependent (or subordinate clause) that works as a noun. Vocational rather than academic, "Grammar for Grown-ups" is packed with real-life examples and keeps you engaged with a wealth of great quotations from Homer the Greek to Homer the Simpson. A noun clause is a dependent clause that acts as a noun. Clause A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. Here are a few noun clause sentences where the noun clause is the subject of the sentence. For example, in the sentence "Leslie did not know that her friend could sing," the word “Leslie" is a noun, and the phrase “that she could sing” is a noun clause. Noun clauses can function as subjects, objects, or complements. These clauses are always dependent clauses. However, “what you said yesterday” cannot stand alone and therefore must be paired with an independent clause. Here's a quotation from The Little Mermaid. In this posting I talk about how to form and correctly use noun clauses. What is Noun Clause A noun clause can be defined as a dependent clause that acts as a noun. A noun clause has to do with the Beta Clause, which we also call a dependent or subordinate clause which performs the function of a noun in a sentence or functions like the nominal group. They can function as subject, object, complement, or object of a preposition, etc: They can function as subject, object, complement, or object of a preposition, etc: A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun. However, it can also begin with a subordinate conjunction. What does noun clause mean? A Noun Clause is a dependent clause that acts as a noun. Noun clauses will contain a subject and a verb, but they cannot stand alone in a sentence. Do you disagree with something on this page. Definition, Examples of Nominal Clauses in English. It is remarkable that he believes his own story. (independent clause)-- That I like (dependent clause, it has a subject "I" and a verb "like" but is not a complete sentence) It must always be paired with an independent (main) clause. If a dependent clause can stand in for a person, place, or thing, then it’s a noun clause. Remember, like other dependent clauses, a noun clause will not stand alone! Diagramming Quotations . In the last lesson, we focused mostly on using noun clauses as the direct object of a sentence. A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea. A noun clause can always be replaced by a single pronoun (such as you, he, she, it, they, there, etc. Also known as a nominal clause . A noun clause is a dependent clause. The introductory word generally has a grammatical function in the sentence. Noun clauses function like nouns or noun phrases. This means they can be the subject of a sentence, the direct object of a verb, or the object of a preposition. The italicized words, “what you said yesterday,” serve as a dependent noun clause. The download at the end will give you additional practice using noun clauses. The prince asked who she was and how she came there. Like all nouns, the purpose of a noun clause is to name a person, place, thing, or idea. Noun clauses can operate just the same as an ordinary noun would. The common use of the subjunctive case in a noun clause is after verbs like advise, ask, demand, insist, urge, require. Nouns can function as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, object of the preposition, and predicate nominatives. It serves the exact same function as a noun. If you are uncertain whether a part of a sentence is functioning as a noun clause, try replacing it with a pronoun; if the sentence is still grammatically complete, then the part you replaced is a noun clause. A noun serves as the subject of the verb in a sentence or it serves as the complement of the verb in a sentence ; so does a noun clause and even a nominal or noun phrase . The noun clause is a clause that functions like a noun in the sentence. Here is an example of how you would diagram a noun clause acting as the direct object. A noun clause cannot stand alone because it is not a complete thought. What is a noun clause? A few identifiers will help you locate a noun clause in a sentence. A what clause is a type of noun clause (or a free relative clause) that begins with the word what. Wellbeing or Well-Being – Which is Correct? Examples of Noun Clauses: What the boy told was true. (The dependent clause modifies the predicate adjective afraid.) Noun clause definition: A noun clause is a clause that plays the role of a noun in a sentence. Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that tell us why, when, how, or under which conditions something occurs. This creates the clause (a subject plus a verb). Increasingly more people are avoiding "whom" (and "whomever"). A noun clause is a dependent clause that contains a subject and a verb. Noun clauses are clauses that function as nouns. A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. This page has lots of examples of noun clauses and an interactive exercise. The Noun Clause person, places things or ideas Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Noun clause use words like Who, Whom, Whose, Which, Whoever, Whatever, Whenever, Whether, That if, What etc, to complete a thought … Examples of Noun Clauses: It contains two noun clauses. When using a noun clause, no commas are used. So, if you're unsure when to use "who" and "whom," go for "who" and declare "whom" as obsolete. A that-clause is an example of a noun clause. That is, they do not form a complete sentence. It can be the subject or the object of the verb. I hope that I will win the first prize. When the teacher is not there, the students can do whatever they like.. Subject Complement It must always be paired with an independent (main) clause. Definition, Examples of Nominal Clauses in English. (Yeah, it's time for us to advocate that line.). A noun clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it cannot express a complete thought. As a noun clause does the work of a noun, it can be subject to a sentence, object of a transitive verb, object of a preposition, apposition to a noun, or complement to a linking verb. Noun clauses often use words such as when, what, why, who and other question words, but the speaker may or may not be making a question. A noun clause is a group of words which contains a subject and a predicate of its own. A noun clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but is an incomplete thought that can't stand on it's own. What Is a Noun Clause? I believe that he is innocent.. The noun clause is acting as the direct object of the sentence. Relative pronouns: that, which, who, whom, whose, what A noun clause, also known as a complement clause (une proposition subordonnée completive), is a group of words that act as a direct object of a verb in the main clause. "She did not know that her dogs could do tricks" is an example of a noun clause. So, we use noun clauses with words like say, tell, ask, whisper, yell, etc. A noun clause can begin the following: that, if, whether (or not), or a question word. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. The underlined portion of the sentence is a prepositional phrase, beginning with the, object + infinitive + (object of infinitive), are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone. Adjective clauses begin with the relative pronouns who, whom, whose, that, or which. Noun clauses can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or objects of a preposition. (A clause functions as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun.) All these terms define a different aspect, characteristic, or function of the same clause. A dependent clause can’t stand itself as a complete sentence or provide a complete thought, unlike the independent clause. The italicized portion is the noun clause which contains a subject and verb but is a dependent clause. The formula for a noun clause in the subjunctive case looks like this: Examples of noun clauses in subjective case: Define noun clause: The definition of a noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun in a sentence. A noun clause is a dependent clause that acts like a noun. A noun clause cannot stand alone because it is not a complete thought. Straight talking and methodical, "Smashing Grammar" (Our Grammar Book, 2019), He knows all about art, but he doesn't know, It is even harder for the average ape to believe. ), the same way a normal noun would. He asked if I went to the conference last year. In each example, you can identify the sentence that contains a noun clause in italics. Noun clauses begin with words such as how, that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, and why. Noun clauses, What is a Noun Clause? If it is acting as a noun, it is a noun clause (as opposed to an adjective clause, for example). The noun clause is acting as the direct object of the sentence. Functions of Noun Clause. Similarly, it is asked, what type of conjunction is however? Remember that a noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. It can be a subject, object, or complement. It can be the subject of a sentence, an object , or a complement. 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Examples, the purpose of a sentence, the italicized noun clause is acting as a noun clause you... Adjective clauses begin with pronouns, subordinating conjunctions, or the object of the sentence that a! Use of cookies on this website movie is on TV tonight nouns, the direct object of the more ways... Glamor or Glamour – what ’ s a noun clause is a nonfinite clause that acts as the of! Are a few noun clause sentences where the noun clause a clause that can alone... Alone because it can not express a complete sentence will contain a subject a. Sentences containing noun clauses and an interactive exercise which contains a noun clause is acting the! And how she came there clause what is a noun clause the work of a preposition predicate adjective afraid. ) names! From the main clause rather than to a noun in the sentence nominatives..., objects, indirect objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or the object of the sentence words together. You continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website can alone. ‘ that I will win the first prize ’ acts as the object! Additional practice using noun clauses alone in a sentence of the sentence that contains a subject and verb! You will see noun clauses: what the little girl did was downright inspiring.. Whoever wrote this deserves!