Noun clauses – what are they, and are they any different from nouns? Find out the answers to these questions and learn all about noun clauses and their functions in this article.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Noun Clause? – Meaning and Definition
- Functions of a Noun Clause
- How to Identify a Noun Clause?
- Examples of Noun Clause
- Check Your Understanding of Noun Clauses
- Frequently Asked Questions on Noun Clauses in English
What Is a Noun Clause? – Meaning and Definition
A noun clause is a dependent clause that works just like a noun in a sentence. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics explains a noun clause as “a clause whose syntactic role is seen as like that of a noun or noun phrase”, and the Collins Dictionary defines it as “a clause that fulfils the same function as a noun”.
Functions of a Noun Clause
Just like a noun has various functions, a noun clause has multiple functions too. A noun clause can perform the following functions.
- Works as the subject by performing or constituting the action in a sentence.
- Takes the place of the object in a sentence by receiving the action.
- Acts as the subject complement by identifying or describing the subject.
- Functions as the object of a preposition.
How to Identify a Noun Clause?
You can identify a noun clause in two steps:
- First, check if there is a noun and a verb.
- Then, analyse if it plays any of the functions of a noun (subject, direct object, indirect object, subject complement and object of a preposition).
Let us look at a famous dialogue from the story Aladdin and the Magic Lamp – “Your wish is my command.” Now, look at this sentence, ‘Whatever you wish is my command’. Can you find the difference between the two? Both sentences mean the same thing but have slightly different structures. ‘Your wish’ contains a pronoun (your) and a noun (wish), thereby constituting a noun phrase. On the other hand, ‘whatever you wish’ can be considered a noun clause as it contains a subject (you) and a verb (wish).
Examples of Noun Clause
To have a clearer understanding of how noun clauses are used in sentences and how they perform different functions, go through the following examples.
Noun Clauses as Subjects
- What amuses my son is always surprising.
- How we would finish the assignment on time is still a question.
Noun Clauses as Objects
- I have been wondering if I should take an auto.
- Does anyone know where I could find a clinic?
Noun Clauses as Subject Complements
- This was exactly what I was looking for.
- A tub of tender coconut ice cream is what I need now.
Nouns Clauses as Objects of Prepositions
- You will have to be ready to face the consequences of whatever decision you make.
- Priya would be happy with anything we give her.
Check Your Understanding of Noun Clauses
Identify the noun, noun phrase or noun clause present in the following sentences.
1. Whoever finds the clues and reaches the destination first will win a trip to the United States.
2. The teacher congratulated the three students.
3. I would hate for you to miss the concert.
4. Whoever comes up with an idea will be acknowledged.
5. Do you like pizza?
6. Do you know when the next bus to the Mysore Palace will arrive?
7. I appreciate my mom buying me all that I need when I need them.
8. She asked if I was coming.
9. Whether we will go to the beach this weekend depends on the weather.
10. The reason why he quit his job is still a mystery.
The answers to the above exercise are given below. Take a look to find out if you have identified the noun, noun phrase and noun clauses correctly.
1. Whoever finds the clues and reaches the destination first will win a trip to the United States.
Whoever finds the clues and reaches the destination first – Noun clause
A trip to the United States – Noun phrase
2. The teacher congratulated the three students.
The teacher – Noun phrase
The three students – Noun phrase
3. I would hate for you to miss the concert.
For you to miss the concert – Noun clause
4. Whoever comes up with an idea will be acknowledged.
Whoever comes up with an idea – Noun clause
5. Do you like pizza?
Pizza – Noun
6. Do you know when the next bus to the Mysore Palace will arrive?
When the next bus to the Mysore Palace will arrive – Noun clause
7. I appreciate my mom buying me all that I need when I need them.
My mom buying me all that I need when I need them – Noun clause
8. She asked if I was coming.
If I was coming – Noun clause
9. Whether we will go to the beach this weekend depends on the weather.
Whether we will go to the beach this weekend – Noun clause
The Weather – Noun phrase
10. The reason why he quit his job is still a mystery.
The reason why he quit his job – Noun clause
A mystery – Noun phrase
Frequently Asked Questions on Noun Clauses in English
What is a noun clause?
A noun clause is a dependent clause that works just like a noun in a sentence.
What is the definition of a noun clause?
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics explains a noun clause as “a clause whose syntactic role is seen as like that of a noun or noun phrase”, and the Collins Dictionary defines it as “a clause that fulfils the same function as a noun”.
What are the four functions of a noun clause?
The four main functions of a noun clause include,
- Working as the subject by performing or constituting the action in a sentence.
- Taking the place of the object in a sentence by receiving the action.
- Acting as the subject complement by identifying or describing the subject.
- Functioning as the object of a preposition.
Give 3 examples of noun clauses.
- You will have to be ready to face the consequences of whatever decision you make.
- How we would finish the assignment on time is still a question.
- This was exactly what I was looking for.
