Noun Clauses: Clauses That Act Like Nouns
What is a clause?
Remember, a clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb.
What is a noun?
A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
So, what’s a noun clause?
A noun clause is a group of words that acts like a noun in a sentence. It has its own subject and verb, but it functions as a single unit – like a noun – within a larger sentence.
How to Spot a Noun Clause
Noun clauses usually start with these words:
- Question words: who, what, when, where, why, how
- Whether or if
- That
Examples:
- I don’t know who is coming to the party. (Who is coming to the party is the noun clause, acting as the object of the verb “know”)
- She asked me what I wanted for dinner. (What I wanted for dinner is the noun clause, acting as the object of the verb “asked”)
- Whether he will come is still uncertain. (Whether he will come is the noun clause, acting as the subject of the sentence)
- I believe that honesty is important. (That honesty is important is the noun clause, acting as the object of the verb “believe”)
Why Use Noun Clauses?
Noun clauses allow us to express more complex ideas and thoughts in a single sentence. They add variety and interest to our writing and speech.
Let’s Practice!
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Identify the Noun Clause: Underline the noun clause in each sentence.
- I wonder what time the movie starts.
- The question is whether we can afford it.
- Do you know where the library is?
- He asked me if I had seen his keys.
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Complete the Sentence: Fill in the blank with an appropriate noun clause.
- I don’t understand ________.
- She told me ________.
- I’m not sure ________.
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Make Your Own Sentences: Write three sentences using different noun clauses.
Challenge!
Write a short story about a time you solved a mystery. Use at least two noun clauses in your story.
