LESSON 6

POSITIONS OF NOUN CLAUSES & NOUN CLAUSES INTRODUCED BY

I. NOUNS CLAUSE

1. There are three kinds of noun clauses: (Có 3 loại mệnh đề danh từ)

a) that clauses,: mệnh đề “that” which begin with the word that

b) if/whether clauses,: mệnh đề “if/whether” which begin with the words whether or if:

liệu rằng/ liệu là

what, where, when, how or how far, how many, how much, how long, where, when,
why…

2.Cấu trúc của mệnh đề danh từ:

That/ If/ Whether/ Question word (Who/ What/How/Why/Where/…) + S + V +….

3.Positions of noun clauses

a. In a sentence, a noun clause – just like a noun – can come in the position of the subject,
object, or complement.

Subject Whether we have to work or not is unclear.

Object of a verb Daniel said that you had the file.

Object of a preposition The group talked about how the accident occurred.

Complement The problem is who will bring a car for tomorrow’s trip

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1.1. Basic Points

2. In a sentence, a noun clause can come in the position of the subject, object, or
complement.

Ex:

1. What she read was a story by E.B. White.: S

2. I know that he is innocent.: O

3. My question is whether he is telling the truth.: C

What she read comes in the position of the subject of the first sentence. In the second
sentence, that he is innocent comes in the position of the object of the verb know. In the
last sentence, whether he is telling the truth comes in the position of the subject.

In a sentence, a noun clause can come in the position of the subject, object, or
complement.

3. A noun clause is formed by noun clause conjunction (+ subject) + verb:

Ex:

4. I can’t tell whether you are bored or entertained.

5. What makes him happy is the desire for art.

Whether you are bored or entertained is the object of the verb tell. It is formed by the
noun clause conjunction (whether) + subject (you) + verb (are).

What makes him happy comes in the position of the subject of the sentence. It is
formed by the noun clause conjunction (what) + verb (makes).

Noun clause conjunctions include that, if/ whether, interrogative words who, what,
which, when, where, how, why, and compound relative pronouns whoever, whatever,
whichever, etc.

1.1. Positions of noun clauses

1. In a sentence, a noun clause – just like a noun – can come in the position of the subject,
object, or complement.

Subject Whether we have to work or not is unclear.

Object of a preposition The group talked about how the accident occurred.

Complement The problem is who will bring a car for tomorrow’s trip

2. Prepositions and object pronouns cannot come in the position of a noun clause
conjunction.

Ex:

The committee agreed that the next meeting would take place in Geneva.

He explained that the contract must be approved at this meeting.

TOEIC questions

Decide which of the choices - (A), (B), (C), or 2. The banking industry reported _______
(D) – best completes the sentence. the past year saw a 10 percent increase
in international wire transfers.
1. The company’s press relations officer
confirmed ________ Selectric, Inc. would no (A) about (B) this
longer be manufacturing pagers.
(C) on (D) that
(A) about (B) of
3. Please submit your picks for employee
(C) that (C) it of the month so that our manager can
decide ________ will be given the
award.

(A) those (B) them

(C) who (D) while

1.3. Noun Clause Introduced by That

1.3.1. A noun clause introduced by that

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It can come in the position of the subject, object of a verb complement, or appositive in a
sentence.

Subject That he won the first prize is hardly surprising.

Object of a verb I know that you didn’t lie.

Complement The best thing about this guitar is that it stays in tune.

Appositive The claim that he stole the car is true.

1.3.2. Adjectives preceding a that-clause

be aware that be glad/happy that be sure that

be sorry that be convinced that be afraid that

Ex:

The applicant is aware that the director is not in today.

The librarian is sure that the book was stolen.

1.3.1. Nouns preceding a that-clause as an appositive

news that report that idea that (re)assurance that

rumor that claim that confirmation that

Ex:

The radio commentator announced the news that oil prices would increase.

The entire company was surprised by the report that their factory would have to shut
down.

1.3.4 Toeic Questions

Decide which of the choices (A), (B), (C), or (D) best completes the sentence.

1. _______ Alice Diaz was willing to work over the weekends to ensure the success of
the ceremony is evidence of her devotion to her work.
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(A) That (B) But

(C) Since (D) After

2.Mr. Forster was convinced ______ his decision to sell his shares had been the right one
when the value of the stock plunged the next day.

(A) which (B) that

(C) about (D) of

3. During the meeting, the manager referred to the rumor ________the business was
losing money.

(A) then (B) that

(C) which (D) how

1.4. Noun Clause Introduced by If/ Whether

1.4.1. Conjunctions if and whether

Both the conjunctions if and whether (or not) are used when the noun clause is formed
from Yes/No question. In a sentence, a noun clause introduced by if/whether can come
in the position of the subject, object, or complement.

Subject Whether we succeed is not important.

Object of a verb I will check if the movie is playing.

Object of a preposition I can’t answer the question of whether or not computers can
think

Complement the question is whether this is true.

Notes:

The clause starting with whether can also function as an adverb clause, meaning it is not
important if…

Ex: Whether you like it or not, I’m coming to see you.

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In conditional sentences, the conjunction if cannot be replaced by whether because in
this case the if-clause is an adverb clause, meaning under the condition that… not a
noun clause.

Ex: They will send you a catalog whether if you ask.

1.4.2. Whether A or B/whether

The fixed phrase whether A or B/whether or not is commonly used. If cannot replace
whether.

(Cụm từ cố định whether A or B/whether or not thường được sử dụng. If không thể
thay thế whether.)

IF or WHETHER?

I don’t know (if/whether) she likes me or hates me.

I can’t tell (if/whether) or not email message is spam.

a. If cannot replace whether.

3 An if-clause can come neither in the position of a subject nor after a preposition.
(Mệnh đề if không thể đứng ở vị trí của chủ ngữ cũng như sau giới từ.)
IF or WHETHER?

(If/ Whether) we succeed is not important.

+ The if-clause cannot come in the position of the subject, so if must be changed to
Whether.

b. IF or WHETHER?

I’m confused about (if/whether) I should invite everyone in the class.

The if-clause cannot come after the preposition, so if must be changed to whether

TOEIC questions

A. Decide which of the choices - (A), (B), 2. She is still thinking about whether
(C), or (D) – best completes the sentence. _____ to boost the office’s computer
systems with the latest software
1. Ms. Owen still isn’t sure_______ she
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will open a production plant in South programs.
America to cut down the cost of labor.
(A) or (B) or not
(A) if (B) thought
(C) and (D) and not
(C) however (D) while
3. The committee is still deciding about
______ to allocate funds for monthly
training sessions for employees.

(A) if (B) that

(C) whether (D) which

1.4. PRACTICE

1.5.1. Choose the correct option given in brackets to complete each sentence.

1. Everybody thinks (that/if) he is competent.

2. The manager has not decided (that/if) he will hire more workers.

3. I strongly believe (that/whether) the team will meet the deadline.

4. The issue is (whether/ what) he is qualified or not.

5. (That/If) she made such a critical mistake during the presentation was shocking.

1.6.1. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. I don’t know (but/ and/ if/ because) he has enough money to invest in the stock market.

2. My dream is (whether/ that/ so/ but) I start to run my own business.