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 GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE
Noun Clauses
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Definition
A noun clause is a dependent clause that is used as the subject or the
object of a verb. It is used in the same way a noun is used.
Example
The tour guide explained something.
The tour guide answered the question: "Where is the bathroom?"
Sentence with noun clause:
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The tour guide explained
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where the
bathroom was.
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subject + verb
noun clause: object of "explained"
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Explanation
A noun clause:
- acts in the same way as a noun phrase. A noun phrase is a group
of words acting as a subject or object: His song is
good. / I like his song.
- has a subject and verb within the clause.
- acts as the subject of a verb in the independent clause, the object
of a verb in the independent clause, or the object of a preposition
in the independent clause.
- is introduced by a relative pronoun — "who", "whose", "whom", "which", "that" - a
question word - "what", "where", "when", "why", "how" - or
a conditional - "if", "whether".
- can take an infinitive after an introductory question word.
- takes a singular verb in the independent clause.
Related Sections
Independent and Dependent Clauses
Infinitives
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