多益閱讀文法 - Noun Clauses

Noun Clauses

✦ Noun clauses introduced by “that”

Let's break down the sentence we just looked at: I don't think that he will come tonight. In this sentence “think” is a verb, and the clause “that he will come tonight” acts as an object after “think” and plays the role of a noun, so It is a noun clause. Let’s look at more examples:

I hope that you will find a job soon.
I am sure that she will pass the exam.  

I am afraid that I won't be able to come tomorrow.
I'm so happy that everything is working out for you.

It's important to note that in casual English, "that" is often omitted when the clause it introduces is used as the object of a sentence. Furthermore, the tenses of main clauses and noun clauses, which is an area that often confuses people, can vary as long as the following two principles are adhered to.

(1) If the main clause is in the present tense, the noun clause can be in any tense

I hope that you will get better soon.
I am certain that he will get the job.

I believe that he is not lying.
I bet that he didn't get the haircut yesterday.

(2) If the main clause is in the past tense, the noun clauses are mostly past-related tenses

I am sorry that I stood you up.
I knew that you would not come yesterday.

I was afraid that the typhoon would cause damage to our house.
I was so happy that we won the game last weekend.
I thought that I had lost my phone, but it was in my other coat pocket.

I'm sure everyone is well-acquainted with the concept of noun clauses by now. However, we must remember that there are various conjunctions that can introduce these noun clauses. So, let's delve into exploring the different types of noun clauses.

✦ Noun clauses introduced by question words

Noun clauses introduced by question words are simple to comprehend. They come in handy when a single word isn't sufficient to express a sentence. For instance, if we're uncertain about a location, we can use 'where'. Similarly, if the timing is unclear, we can use 'when', and so forth.

▶️ The words "when", "where", "how", and "will" should be followed by a complete clause that includes both the subject and the object.

I want to know when you will be home tomorrow.
They have not decided where they are going to have the barbecue party this year.

We need to discuss how we can increase sales.
Can you find out why the copy machine is not working?

▶️ The interrogative pronouns "who", "what", and "which" serve as the subject or object in a noun clause. Therefore, they are usually followed by an incomplete clause that lacks a subject or object.

I wonder who will be showing up tonight.
I have no idea what you're talking about.

I can't decide which is better.　

▶️ "Whose" and "which" are considered interrogative adjectives because they modify the nouns that follow them. When using these adjectives, the following clause often omits the subject or object, resulting in an incomplete sentence.

I can't decide which jeans look better on me.
I don't know whose book it is.

▶️ Noun clauses introduced by compound question words such as “whoever”, “whatever”, “whichever”, “whenever”, “wherever”, and “however”

I don't care whenever you do it, as long as it gets done on time.
You can tell whomever you want.

I will eat whatever is on the menu tonight, as long as it's vegetarian.

✦ Noun clauses introduced by “whether” or “if”

The noun clause can be introduced using "whether" or "if". These two words are generally interchangeable in noun clauses. However, there are specific situations where "whether" is the only applicable choice:

1. When followed by "or not"
2. When followed by "to" plus a verb
3. When the clause, starting with "whether", is the subject of the sentence

We are still deciding if/whether we should go to Paris this year.
I was wondering if/whether you'd like to go to the movies with me this evening.

I asked if/whether she'd like to come out with us tonight.
I can't decide whether I should take the job offer or not.
I'm wondering whether to have the fish or the beef for lunch.

TOEIC Example: The recent sales report indicated _____ the company experienced a 16 percent decline in international sales during the past three years.
(A) about

(B) on
(C) that
(D) this

TOEIC Example: The human resources head is asking about _____ Mr. Murphy will be available to conduct training workshops next month.
(A) if
(B) that

(C) while
(D) whereas

TOEIC Example: Mr. Moore wants to know _____ the final revisions will be made to the contract.
(A) when
(B) about

(C) on
(D) what

TOEIC Example: We will have a discussion about _____ to allocate funds for social media marketing campaigns.
(A) if
(B) that

(C) whether
(D) which

Roles of Noun Clauses

A noun clause can act as a subject, an object, or a complement after “be” verbs.

▶️ The noun clause acts as a subject

Whenever you want to meet, it's fine with me.
How the pyramids were built remains a mystery.

Whether aliens exist still puzzled many scientists.
That he played hard for the whole team makes all of us proud.

▶️ The noun clause acts as an object

I am sorry that I stood you up.
We don't know whether the flight will be delayed or not as there is a severe storm in the area.

I see what you mean now—I didn't understand it before, but it makes sense.

Have you heard about what the latest fashion trend is? Animal prints are back in style!
* Prepositions are followed by nouns, and this sentence is followed by noun clauses

The following sentence uses the fourth sentence type (S + V + O + O).

The company notified me that I didn't get the job.
I told my boss that I won't go to work tomorrow.

The boss informed Camille that she would be promoted next month.
You can ask people how to get to the bus station.
Jeff asked me where his wallet was.

I reminded her that the conference had been canceled.

▶️ The noun clause acts as a subject complement

The reason why she got promoted is that she worked harder than anyone else.
My guess is that the i Phone 14 will sell better than the i Phone 13.

My dream is that I will be able to retire early and spend my days volunteering and traveling to new places.

TOEIC Example: The supervisor reminds the staff that ____ is discussed at the meeting is confidential.
(A) whenever

(B) whatever
(C) wherever
(D) however

TOEIC Example: News programs keep me informed of _____ is happening around the world.
(A) why
(B) how

(C) when
(D) what

Situations Where the Verb Within a Noun Clause should remain in its Base Form

In English, there are certain situations where the verb within a noun clause should remain in its base form.

▶️ Sentence pattern: Subject + suggest/advise/insist/propose/demand/.. etc. + (that) + subject + (should) + base form of the verb

The first situation typically happens in sentences that express suggestions, advice, or necessity. These verbs are typically as follows:

• suggest/propose/move/counsel/advise/recommend
• insist/urge/maintain/hold/persist
• require/request/demand/ask
• order/command
• stipulate/rule

The pattern for these sentences is often "subject + suggest/advise/insist/propose/demand + (that) + subject + base form of the verb". Let's look at some examples:

My doctor suggested that I drink more water.
I propose that we start the meeting at 10 am.
The teacher insisted that the students hand in their assignments on time.

In these sentences, "drink," "start," and "hand in" are all in their base form, regardless of the subject of the noun clause. This use of the base form of the verb is also known as the mandative subjunctive mood. Here are more example sentences:

Southwest Airlines requested that all baggage be kept in the overhead compartments.
The university suggests that students order their textbooks at least a week prior to the start of the classes.

▶️Sentence pattern: It is + adj. + that + S + (should) + base verb

If the primary clause uses adjectives that convey a sense of "suggestion", "insistence", "requirement", "command" or "stipulation", the verbs in the secondary clauses should be in their base form. These adjectives include:

• important, imperative, vital, crucial, critical, and pivotal
• urgent
• essential, necessary, and indispensable

It is essential that the notification be provided at least one month in advance.
It is imperative that managers write progress reports at the end of every week.

TOEIC Example: The manager insists that every employee _____ on time for the meeting.
(A) arrive
(B) arrives
(C) arriving
(D) to arrive

Situations Where the Verb Within a Noun Clause should remain in its Base Form

In English, there are certain situations where the verb within a noun clause should remain in its base form. 


▶️ Sentence pattern: Subject + suggest/advise/insist/propose/demand/..etc. + (that) + subject + (should) + base form of the verb


The first situation typically happens in sentences that express suggestions, advice, or necessity. These verbs are typically as follows:

• suggest/propose/move/counsel/advise/recommend
• insist/urge/maintain/hold/persist
• require/request/demand/ask
• order/command
• stipulate/rule

The pattern for these sentences is often "subject + suggest/advise/insist/propose/demand + (that) + subject + base form of the verb". Let's look at some examples:

My doctor suggested that I drink more water.
I propose that we start the meeting at 10 am.
The teacher insisted that the students hand in their assignments on time.


In these sentences, "drink," "start," and "hand in" are all in their base form, regardless of the subject of the noun clause. This use of the base form of the verb is also known as the mandative subjunctive mood. Here are more example sentences:


Southwest Airlines requested that all baggage be kept in the overhead compartments.
The university suggests that students order their textbooks at least a week prior to the start of the classes.

▶️Sentence pattern: It is + adj. + that + S + (should) + base verb


If the primary clause uses adjectives that convey a sense of "suggestion", "insistence", "requirement", "command" or "stipulation", the verbs in the secondary clauses should be in their base form. These adjectives include:

• important, imperative, vital, crucial, critical, and pivotal 
• urgent 
• essential, necessary, and indispensable

It is essential that the notification be provided at least one month in advance. 
It is imperative that managers write progress reports at the end of every week.


TOEIC Example: The manager insists that every employee _____ on time for the meeting.
(A) arrive
(B) arrives
(C) arriving
(D) to arrive