Question

Expand the underlined phrase to a clause:
I would like to know the procedure for the visa application. [Advanced]

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. what to proceed
• C. what the proceed is
• D. what the procedure is

Answer 1

The correct option is D what the procedure is

A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun. It usually begins with what, whatever, whom, that and other such relative pronouns. A noun clause can act as a subject, object, predicate nominative or object of a preposition, in a sentence.
A noun phrase is a word or a group of words containing a noun, that functions as the subject, object or object of a preposition in a sentence. A phrase does not contain a subject or a verb, or both of them (as opposed to a clause).
While expanding a noun phrase to noun clause, a subject and a verb must be added.
In the given sentence, the underlined words form a phrase as it includes neither subject nor verb, both which are essential to form a clause. Hence the sentence must be changed as per the question's requirement and option A is incorrect.
In option D, the relative pronoun "what", verb "is" and the subject 'the procedure' are introduced. The clause retains the meaning of the underlined phrase, hence option D is correct.
Option B is incorrect because it is a phrase.
Option C is incorrect because the verb 'proceed' has been placed instead of the noun 'procedure'.