16 Noun clauses

Grammar

What you've told us is very interesting. (= The information is very interesting.)

You've probably also heard that the Marsh has been given to the NWT to look after. (= You've probably also
heard this report.)
Nine o'clock is when we usually meet (= Nine o'clock is our usual meeting time.)
A noun clause functions in a sentence in a similar way to a noun (e.g. information, report) or noun phrase
(e.g. our usual meeting time). Noun clauses usually begin with that or a wh-word (e.g. what, when, where,
which, who, why; also whether, whatever, how).

En That-noun clauses
In informal contexts we often leave out that at the beginning of a that-noun clause:
Its also good to know that they're helping the environment or ... to know they're helping
I can guarantee that you'll make a lot of new friends. or ! can guarantee you'll make
We usually use the fact that (rather than that):
when the noun clause is subject:
The fact that you're not a member of the trust makes no difference. ( rather than That you're not a member of
the trust makes no difference.)
after a preposition or after verbs such as change, face (up to) and overlook
We have to face (up to)the fact that we don't have enough resources at the moment.
We can often use words like argument, assumption, belief, claim, idea, notion and view instead offact
The idea that it's all hard work is just wrong.

Wit-noun clauses
When a wh-noun clause follows certain nouns (e.g. example, problem), we often have to include of before
the wit-word:
We'd like to follow the example of what they've done at Broadstone Park
Some verbs (e.g. advise, teach) must have an object before the wh-word:
I'll be happy to advise you when to come.
Noun clauses beginning how are commonly used after certain verbs (e.g. decide, know):
It's entirely up to you to decide how much time you can give.
We can use a wh-noun clause, but not a that-noun clause, after a preposition:
If you've got any questions about what I've said so far, I'd be happy to answer them. (not ...ohofft-that-ilveltid-

We can also use noun clauses beginning with whatever (= anything, or it doesn't matter what), whoever (= the
person/group who, or any person/group who) or whichever (= one thing or person from a limited number) to
talk about things, people or times that are indefinite or unknown:
We will be very grateful for whatever time people can spare.
You can phone whoever is in charge of arranging lifts on the weekend you want to come.
Rather than a wh-noun clause, we can often use a noun or pronoun which has a meaning related to the wh-word:
Why most people volunteer is that they want fresh air and exercise. °Ube reason (why khat)most people
volunteer ...
Clearing the vegetation is what is urgently needed, or Clearing the vegetation is something which/that is
urgently needed.

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Other words used in this way include the place (rather than where), the time (rather than when), the way (rather
than how) and somebody/someone (rather than who).

Eig Whether and if

We can use whether as the wh-word in a noun clause when we talk about possible choices. Whether has a similar
meaning to if.
I can't remember whether it runs on Sundays.
Notice the difference between sentences with whether- and that-noun clauses:
I didn't know whether/if the bus service has been cancelled. (= it may or may not have been cancelled)
I didn't know that the bus service had been cancelled. (= it was cancelled; now I know)
In more formal contexts, particularly in writing, we can use as to with a meaning similar to 'about or
'concerning' before a whether-noun clause
There was some debate as to whether he could legally give us the land.
We use whether, not ifi
before or not
I don't know whether or not I'd be able to come on a regular basis.
However
I don't know whether/if rd be able to come on a regular basis or not
before a to-infinitive
I can't make up my mind whether to help on Saturdays or Sundays.
usually after a preposition, and also after the verbs advise, choose, consider, debate, discuss, enquire, question:
You can think about whether you'd like to be involved.
You can choose whether you want to work indoors or outdoors.
in a clause acting as a subject or complement:
Whether you help with the outdoor or indoor work depends on you. (= subject)
What I'm not clear about is whether we can get a lift to the reserve. (= complement)

Grammar exercises
Eil Read these comments by a resident, a fire officer and a climate change expert about a recent flood.
Complete each text with that or the fact that.
Resident Nobody really thought (1) that flooding this bad would happen again, but as the river
level rose, we had to face up to (2) we'd have to leave our home. Personally, I blame the fire
service. (3) it's been raining heavily here for five days should have meant that they were
better prepared to help us.

Fire officer I really feel (4) some of the criticisms of my fire officers are unfair, although
(5) today is a public holiday did mean that many of our staff weren't here to help with the
rescue. However, we warned residents yesterday (6) they might have to evacuate their houses
with little notice, and the difficulty in evacuating people from their houses wasn't helped by
(7) they wanted to take large amounts of personal belongings with them.
Climate change expert: We can't ignore (8) climate change is going to increase the risk of
flooding, and a number of studies have suggested (9) winter river levels throughout the
country will be much higher than in the past. Unfortunately, the situation in this area is complicated by
(10) so many trees have been cut down on the hills around here and rainwater flows more
quickly into the rivers. So there's a real possibility (11) serious flooding could now happen
here every winter.

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16 Noun clauses

Ea Read this extract from the blog elan American woman living in Paris. Complete the text using a
word from Box A and a phrase from Box B.
A

how if the way the light shines through them I'd make it
what when where the cathedral was built to take a guided tour
whether whichever who designed the cathedral they managed to do that
whoever why direction you approach it it-was-built-there
conditions were like for the builders wrote that
the building materials came from

I rented a car yesterday and drove about 50 miles from Paris to Chartres. The area around
Chartres is very flat That's probably the reason (1) why Lb was built there . It dominates
the landscape from (2) At first, I wasn't sure
(3) of the cathedral. I'm pretty independent and like to wander
around on my own. Butthis time I decided to go for it, and I'm really glad I did—the guide was
excellent! She talked a lot about (4) — it was begun before 1200 —
and told us (5) Some of the stone was transported from hundreds
of miles away— I'll never understand (6) .
(7) isn't known. Apparently in those days architecture was a
cooperative effort by the stonemasons working on the site. She also gave us some idea of
00 It sounds like an incredibly hard life. I thought the stained-glass
windows were awesome. I was so impressed with (9) and creates
patterns on the cathedral floor. After the tour, I looked again at my guidebook
and noticed that it mentioned the 'easy climb' up the north tower, so off I went But
(10) must have been super-fit. For melt was along, exhausting
crush, and there were times when I didn't know (11) . The
magnificent view was certainly worth the effort when I gotto the top, but be warned I

En Match the sentence halves and join them by filling the gaps in a-h with whatever, whoever or
whichever.

1 Mr Kato has resigned as managing director, and it will be a a is sitting in it.

difficult job for
2 I must have that painting, and will pay b side they are on.

3 The police have said that to protect the public they will take c whoever replaces him.

4 I've bought this armchair that adjusts itself to the body shape of d action is necessary.

5 We've got lots of cakes, so just choose e it costs.

6 At the first modem Olympic games in 1896, athletes could wear f comes first.

7 Houses next to the river are at risk of flooding, g one you like the look of.

Both the number 45 and 47 buses go into town, so get on h they wanted to.

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Complete the sentences using the notes in brackets and where, what, when, why or how. Add any
ther words necessary.

1 Our Maths teacher made the exam quite easy for us. In our last lesson he gave us some
(1) examples of what. would. (examples 1 would) be in the paper, and he
(2) (told / questions) to answer.
2 k There's a job advert here for a train driver. Do you think I should go for it?
8: But (3) (know I to drive)a train?
A: No, but I'm sure they'll be able (4) (teach I to do). I might send for an
application form.
3 When I got to hospital, a nurse took me into a room and (5) (showed I to sit).
I was very anxious (6) (would happen I next)and
(7) (asked 1 the doctor) would be coming.
4 A: Remember (8) (time I were) in London and our wallets and train tickets
were stolen?
B: I certainly do. Then we had (9) (problem Ito get back) to Manchester
without tickets or money.
A: (10) (reason! mention) now is that the man who gave us the money to get
home is on the front of today's paper. He's wanted for robbing a bank!

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