Noun Clauses

A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun in the sentence. A noun clause may be used as a subject or direct object of the verb, as a predicate noun, as object of the preposition, or as an appositive.

Every direct quotation is a noun clause without an introductory word.

Mary said, "Dinner is ready." (The noun clause is the object of said.)

Mary said that dinner was ready. (That is the introductory word.)

Types of Noun Clauses

Most noun clauses begin with THAT or THE FACT THAT or a WH-word such as where, when, whether, etc.

As Adjective Complement	As Object of Verb	As Object Of Preposition	As Subject
Begins that	Begins that or wh-	Begins the fact that or wh-	Begins the fact that or wh-
Examples:	Examples:	Examples:	Examples:
´   She is sorry that she lied	´ She doesn’t know why she lied	´ She is bothered by the fact that she lied	´The fact that she lied disturbing
´   I am worried that you will misunderstand	´ I think that she might tell another lie	´ She is worried about what she did	´What she lied about is her weight

Notes on the fact that clauses:

  Other clauses of this type might begin with phases like the idea that or the possibility that, etc.

   Use that not the fact that to introduce a noun clause as object of a verb.  On the other hand,

 use the fact that to introduce subject noun clauses (except in very formal English)>

Notes on wh-clauses:

  Wh-clauses are related to questions, but statement word order is used rather than question word

order.  Compare these two sentences: 

Where does he live?

I don’t know where he lives.

Notes on whether  and if clauses:

  Whether and if clauses are related to yes/no questions.  But again, do not use question word order:

Does he live  in Seaside?

I don’t know    if        he lives in Seaside.

I don’t know whether he lives in Seaside.