Noun Clauses: Definition, Functions, and Examples

Noun clauses are an essential part of English grammar. They are the group of words that act as nouns in a sentence. Noun clauses play a key role in the formation of complex sentences. These clauses help express thoughts and ideas in a clear and precise manner.

What is a Noun Clause?

A noun clause is a group of words that works as a noun within a sentence. It is a specific type of clause called a subordinate clause (also known as the dependent clause). Like a single-word noun, it can work as a subject, an object, or a complement. Noun clauses often begin with conjunctions such as that, what, who, or whether.

Here’s an example to show a noun clause:

• Sentence: “What you said surprised me.”
• In this sentence, “What you said” is a noun clause that works as the subject of the verb “surprised.”

In English, the other types of clauses are:

• Adjective clauses offer additional information about a noun.
• Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs by giving details about time, manner, place, or reason.

Structure of a Noun Clause

A noun clause begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun and has a subject and verb. It follows the structure of a complete sentence but acts as a single unit within a larger sentence.

Sentence Structure with Noun Clauses

Noun clauses can play different roles in a sentence:

According to ‘A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language’ (Quirk et al., 1985), noun clauses often function as subjects, objects, or complements in complex sentences.

• Subject: When a noun clause acts as the subject, it appears at the beginning of the sentence. It performs the action or is the focus of the sentence.
• Object: A noun clause can be the object of a verb when it follows the verb and receives the action.
• Complement: Noun clauses work as complements when they follow linking verbs such as “is,” “seems,” or “becomes.”

Here are some examples to understand the structure of noun clauses in different roles:

• As a Subject: “That you enjoyed the movie is great news.”
  • The noun clause “That you enjoyed the movie” is the subject of the verb “is.”
• As an Object: “I don’t know what Julia wants.”
  • The noun clause “what Julia wants” is the object of the verb “know.”
• As a Complement: “My hope is that she will come.”
  • The noun clause “that she will come” works as the complement of the linking verb “is.”

How To Identify a Noun Clause in a Sentence

You must know what to look for to identify a noun clause in a sentence. Here are some tips to help you spot noun clauses:

Look for Subordinating Conjunctions or Relative Pronouns

Noun clauses often begin with relative pronouns or subordinating conjunctions such as

that

what

who

whom

whose

which

when

where

why

if

whether

When you see these words at the start of a group of words, there’s a good chance you are dealing with a noun clause.

Check the Role in the Sentence

Check whether the group of words functions as a noun (subject, object, or complement) in the larger sentence. If it is, it’s likely a noun clause.

For example:

Original Sentence: “She told me why she was late.”

• Group of Words: “why she was late”
• Role in the Sentence: This group of words works as the object of the verb “told”. It answers the question “told me what?” and provides the information she shared.

Identify Complete Thoughts

Noun clauses express a complete thought, unlike phrases that may not have a subject or a verb. If the group of words has a subject and a verb and is started by a conjunction or relative pronoun, it’s probably a noun clause.

For example:

Original Sentence: “She knows where he went.”  In this sentence, the phrase “where he went” is a group of words that may be a noun clause.

This group has both a subject (“he”) and a verb (“went”), and it is led by the subordinating conjunction “where”. This group of words expresses a complete thought (the location of where he went) and works as the object of the verb “knows”.

Therefore, “where he went” is a noun clause functioning as a noun (the object of “knows”) within the larger sentence.

Observe Sentence Patterns

Observe common sentence patterns, such as…

“It is clear that…”

“I wonder if/whether…”

Once you know these patterns you can easily spot noun clauses.

For example:

• It is clear that you are ready.
• I wonder if he will come.

Try Substitution

Replace the supposed noun clause with a single-word noun or pronoun. If the sentence still makes sense and retains its original meaning, you are likely dealing with a noun clause.

For example:

Original Sentence: “I believe that she will succeed.”

Substitution: “I believe it.”

By replacing the noun clause “that she will succeed” with the pronoun “it”, the sentence still makes sense and conveys a similar meaning. This confirms that “that she will succeed” is a noun clause acting as the object of the verb “believe.”

How To Use a Noun Clause in a Sentence

Noun clauses can be used in various ways within a sentence. Here is how we can use noun clauses in a sentence:

Noun Clause as Subject of a Sentence

A noun clause can function as the subject of a sentence, performing the action or being the sentence’s focus.

Noun Clause Examples as Subjects

• What you wrote makes sense.
• That the event was successful is encouraging.
• How they solved the problem amazed everyone.
• Whoever wins the race will receive a prize.

Noun Clause as Object of a Sentence

A noun clause can function as the object of a sentence, receiving the action of the verb.

Noun Clause Examples as Objects

• He admitted that he made a mistake.
• We remember how she helped us.
• I believe what they said.
• She expects that he will arrive on time.

Noun Clauses as Subject Complements

A noun clause can be used as a subject complement, following a linking verb and providing more information about the subject.

Noun Clause Examples as Subject Complements

• The truth is that she doesn’t like him.
• The main problem was that we ran out of time.
• His goal is what drives him.
• The reality is that she will leave soon.
• The issue is whether we can afford it.

Noun Clauses as Objects of Prepositions

Noun clauses can also function as the objects of prepositions, following a preposition in a sentence.

Noun Clause Examples as Objects of Prepositions

• She talked about what she experienced during her trip.
• The team argued over where the new office should be located.
• They couldn’t agree on whether the proposal should be accepted.
• She was interested in why the event was postponed.

Noun Clauses as Adjective Complements

When a noun clause completes the meaning of an adjective in a sentence, it functions as an adjective complement.

Noun Clause Examples as Adjective Complements

• They are pleased that she is home.
• He was worried that it might rain.
• She is grateful that they supported her.
• They were surprised that she remembered them.

Noun Clause vs. Noun Phrase

Noun clauses and noun phrases both work similarly in a sentence but are composed differently. To avoid mistakes you must understand the difference between a noun clause and a noun phrase.

A noun phrase is also a group of words that works as a noun, just like a noun clause. However, the difference is that noun clauses have a subject and a verb, while noun phrases do not. Noun clauses often begin with relative pronouns, whereas noun phrases start with determiners, adjectives, or prepositions.

Here is an example to understand the difference:

Noun Clause: “Nora was unsure of which dress she should wear to the party.”

In this sentence, “which dress she should wear to the party” is a noun clause. It begins with the relative pronoun “which” and includes a subject (“she”) and a verb (“should wear”).  

Noun Phrase: “Nora was unsure of her outfit choice for the party.”

In this sentence, “her outfit choice for the party” is a noun phrase.  It starts with a determiner (“her”) followed by a noun (“outfit”) and another noun (“choice”) modified by a prepositional phrase (“for the party”).  

In both examples, the noun clause and noun phrase function as the object of the preposition “of” in the sentence but differ in structure.  

Noun Clauses vs. Relative Clauses

Noun clauses and relative clauses both begin with the relative pronoun and have a subject and a verb. The main difference between a noun clause and a relative clause lies in their functions within a sentence.

A noun clause works as a noun, while a relative clause works as an adjective to modify a noun. Noun clauses express complete ideas, while relative clauses add additional details to a noun in the sentence.

Here is an example to understand the difference:

Noun Clause: “Victoria was intrigued by who had sent her the mysterious letter.”

In this example, “who had sent her the mysterious letter” is a noun clause. It begins with the relative pronoun “who” and includes a subject (“who”) and a verb (“had sent”). The noun clause functions as the object of the preposition “by” and provides information about the sender of the letter.

Relative Clause: “Victoria was intrigued by the letter that she received last week.”

In this sentence, “that she received last week” is a relative clause. It begins with the relative pronoun “that” and includes a subject (“she”) and a verb (“received”). The relative clause modifies the noun “letter” and provides additional information about the letter she received.

In both examples, the clauses have a subject and a verb, but the noun clause functions as a noun in the sentence while the relative clause modifies a noun, functioning as an adjective.

Real-Life Examples of Noun Clauses

Noun clauses are commonly used in everyday conversations and writing. Here are some real-life examples of noun clauses in different contexts:

• She told me where she wanted to go for vacation.
• I don’t know what we’re having for dinner.
• The manager needs to understand why sales have dropped.
• I appreciate that you took the time to review the document.
• The study reveals that the hypothesis was correct.
• Research suggests that social media can affect mental health.
• She wondered whether she would ever see him again.
• The fact that he loved her made all the difference.
• Analysts predict that the economy will improve.
• Authorities confirm that the suspect was apprehended.

FAQs on Noun Clauses