Noun clause

There some kinds of noun clauses , such as the following

1. noun clauses which begin with that

a. As a subject

Here, we can’t omit the word ‘that’

statement	Noun clause
J     Sugar is sweet. It’s a fact. J     The children speak English fluently. It’s understandable.	J     That sugar is sweet is a fact. J     That The children speak English fluently is understandable.

b. as an object

here, we can omit the word ‘that’

examples:

statement	Noun clause
×     Danny is clever ×     Reading is necessary	×     I think (that) Danny is clever ×     We know (that) reading is necessary

2. noun clauses which begin with whether/if.

a. as a subject

example :

whether the man is tired or not is obvious.

As an object, the noun clause is formed from a yes/no question.

b. as an object

examples:

Yes/no question	Noun clause
E     Is your father a lawyer? E     Do the children enjoy the game?	E      I wonder whether your father is a lawyer. E     I don’t know if the children enjoy the game.

3. noun clauses which begin with a question word.

a. as a subject

when the noun clause become a subject, the verb is singular.

Example:

What we will do tonight is not decided yet.

b. as an object

examples:

Wh-Question	Noun clause
Þ     Where do you study? Þ     Who is she? Þ     Who has the dictionary	Þ     Please tell me where you study. Þ     I don’t remember who is she. Þ     I don’t know who has the dictionary.