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.

Adjective Clause

Briefing

At a certain point in your writing in English, you should be able to identify every sentence you write as simple, compound, or complex.  Two additional structures, adjective clauses and appositives, will give you a much greater sentence variety within which to accomplish your writing objectives.  This page contains a small amount of information about adjective clauses. First, we will define what adjective clauses are and how they work.

What Definition for An Adjective Clause?

An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun.  It is possible to combine the following two sentences to form one sentence containing an adjective clause:   

An adjective clause usually begins with a relative pronoun (which, that, who, whom, whose), a relative adverb (where, when, why), or a zero relative.

Remember

A clause is a group of related words with a subject and verb.

Kinds of Adjective Clause

1.       Non-defining clauses

Non-defining clauses give extra information about the noun, but they are not essential, example:

The desk in the corner, which is covered in books, is mine.

Explanation: We don't need this information in order to understand the sentence. “The desk in the corner is mine” is a good sentence on its own — we still know which desk is referred to. Note that non-defining clauses are usually separated by commas, and “that” is not usually used in this kind of context.

2.       Defining clauses

Defining clauses give essential information about the noun,example:

The package that arrived this morning is on the desk.

Explanation: We need this information (Underlined Senteces)
in order to understand the sentence. Without the relative clause, we don't know which package is being referred to. Note that “that” is often used in defining relative clauses, and they are not separated by commas.

Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)

1.       Adjective Clause Using Subject Pronouns: Who, Which, That

Adjective Clause / Relative Clause with Subject Pronouns: "Who", "Which", "That"

Without adjective clause / relative   clause	Using adjective clause / relative clause
I will introduce you to a friend. He runs a successful business	I will introduce you to a friend who runs a successful business
The book is about religion. It has raised controversy	The book which has raised controversy is about religion The book that has raised controversy is about religion

2.       Adjective Clause Using Object Pronouns: Who(m), Which, That
Adjective Clause / Relative Clause with Object Pronouns: "Who(m)", "Which", "That"

Without Adjective Clause/Relative Clause	Using Adjective Clause/Relative Clause
I will introduce you to a friend. You have never met him before.	·         I will introduce you to a friend (who(m)) you have never met before. ·         I will introduce you to a friend (that) you have never met before.
The book is about religion. I bought it in Gramedia bookstore last week.	·         The book (which) I bought in Gramedia bookstore last week is about religion. ·         The book (that) I bought in Gramedia bookstore last week is about religion.

3.       Adjective Clause Using Whose
Adjective Clause / Relative Clause with "Whose"

Without Adjective Clause/Relative Clause	Using Adjective Clause/Relative Clause
I will introduce you to a friend. His interest is learning English	I will introduce you to a friend whose interest is learning English
The old lady has a painting. Its value is inestimable.	The old lady has a painting whose value is inestimable.

4.       Adjective Clause Using Where
Adjective Clause / Relative Clause with "Where"

Without adjective clause / relative clause	Using adjective clause / relative clause
I will take you to the restaurant. I usually have lunch there (at the restaurant).	·         I will take you to the restaurant where I usually have lunch. ·         I will take you to the restaurant at which I usually have lunch. ·         I will take you to the restaurant (which) I usually have lunch at.
The old lady has sold the house. She has lived there (in the house) for more than twenty years.	·         The old lady has sold the house where she has lived for more than twenty years. ·         The old lady has sold the house in which she has lived for more than twenty years. ·         The old lady has sold the house (which) she has lived in for more than twenty years.

5.       Adjective Clause Using When
Adjective Clause / Relative Clause with "When"

Without adjective clause / relative clause	Using adjective clause / relative clause
We will never forget the day. My wife gave birth to my first son then (on that day).	·         We will never forget the day when my wife gave birth to my first son. ·         We will never forget the day on which my wife gave birth to my first son. ·         We will never forget the day (that) my wife gave birth to my first son.
August is the month. The weather gets very windy then (in August).	·         August is the month when the weather gets very windy. ·         August is the month in which the weather gets very windy. ·         August is the month (that) the weather gets very windy.

In conclusion:

Adjective Clauses use that; who; whom; and which to begin the clause:

·         Who used for humans in subject position

·         Whom used for humans in object position

·         Which used for things and animal in subject or object position

·         That used for humans, animal, and things, in subject or object position

·         When used for preposition (in, on, and at)

·         Where uses for place(s)

·         Whose is used to indicate ownership