Noun Clauses
|
Key Points
|
|
A noun clause is a dependent clause that contains a
subject and a verb and functions as a noun in a
sentence.
It can act as the subject, object, subject complement, or
object of a preposition.
Noun clauses can begin with “that,” “whether,” “if,” or a
question word such as “what,” “who,” “when,” “where,”
“why,” or “how.”
Use statement word order inside a noun clause: question
word + subject + verb.
When the main clause is in the present tense, the noun
clause can use any appropriate tense. When the main clause
is in the past tense, the noun clause usually uses a
past-related tense.
|
✦ 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
The correct answer is (C) that.
The reporting verb "indicated" is followed by a noun clause that
states what the report showed. "That" correctly introduces the
clause "the company experienced a 16 percent decline." (A) "about"
and (B) "on" are prepositions and cannot introduce this complete
clause, while (D) "this" is a demonstrative pronoun.
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
The correct answer is (A) if.
The conjunction "if" is used to introduce a noun clause in a
sentence. It is correctly used here to inquire about the possibility
or condition of Mr. Murphy being available to conduct training
workshops next month. The sentence is essentially asking about the
condition or possibility of a certain situation happening - Mr.
Murphy being available.
(B) “That” is inaccurate because "that" is used to introduce a
clause, fact, or idea, rather than asking about a possibility or
information. In the context of the sentence, the human resources
head is seeking information about Mr. Murphy's availability, which
requires a conjunction that introduces a conditional or
interrogative clause such as "if".
(C) "While" is a conjunction used to refer to things happening
simultaneously or to contrast things or situations. In the sentence,
there are no simultaneous events or contrasted ideas, so "while" is
not correct here.
(D) "Whereas" is a conjunction used to indicate a contrast between
two statements. In the sentence, there are no contrasting ideas, so
"whereas" is not appropriate here.
TOEIC Example: Mr. Moore wants to know _____ the final revisions
will be made to the contract.
(A) when
(B) about
(C) on
(D) what
The correct answer is (A) when.
In the context of the sentence, Mr. Moore is inquiring about the
time at which the final revisions are expected to be made to the
contract. The word "when" is used to ask about the time or occasion
of an event, and it introduces the noun clause “ when the final
revisions will be made to the contract‘. It is the most appropriate
choice for this sentence.
(B) “about” is incorrect because it is a preposition typically used
to express the subject matter of something, not the time. In this
context, it doesn't make sense to say "Mr. Moore wants to know about
the final revisions will be made to the contract."
(C) “on” is incorrect because it is a preposition used to indicate
the day or date when something happens. However, this is not
appropriate in the sentence because there is no specific day or date
mentioned.
(D) “what” is incorrect because it is a pronoun typically used to
ask for information specifying something. In this context, it
doesn't make sense to say "Mr. Moore wants to know what the final
revisions will be made to the contract." It would only be correct if
followed by another noun, as in "Mr. Moore wants to know what
changes will be made to the contract."
TOEIC Example: We will have a discussion about _____ to allocate
funds for social media marketing campaigns.
(A) if
(B) that
(C) whether
(D) which
The correct answer is (C) whether.
In the sentence, "We will have a discussion about _____ to allocate
funds for social media marketing campaigns," the blank needs to be
filled with a word that can begin a noun clause, which acts as the
object of the preposition "about." The word "whether" correctly
introduces a noun clause, indicating a question or doubt between
alternatives, which fits well with the context. So, "We will have a
discussion about whether to allocate funds for social media
marketing campaigns," means that there will be a debate about the
decision on allocating funds for social media marketing campaigns.
(A) "If" is incorrect. The phrase "if to allocate funds" doesn't
make grammatical sense, whereas "whether to allocate funds" does.
(B) "That" is used to introduce a noun clause that states a fact or
gives information, but it does not fit in this context because it
doesn't introduce a doubt or question.
(D) "Which" introduces a relative clause and is used to give
additional information about a noun or to identify the noun being
talked about. However, in this context, there's no preceding noun
for "which" to refer to, making it grammatically incorrect.