Noun clauses- Adjective clauses Prof.

Adriana Edith Zalazar

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.

There are two main types of clauses in grammar. They are independent
clauses and dependent clauses.

Independent clauses are the clauses that express a complete thought.

Dependent clauses (subordinate clauses) are the clauses that cannot express
a complete idea.

Dependent clauses can be mainly divided into three categories based on their
functions: noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverbial clauses. As their
names suggest, these clauses act as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs,
respectively.

The main difference between noun clause and the adjective clause is that
noun clause functions as a noun whereas adjective clause functions as an
adjective.

Noun Clause

A noun clause can be defined as a dependent clause that acts as a noun.

A noun clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it cannot express a

complete thought. Noun clauses generally begin with words such as how,
that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, which, whichever, who,
whoever, whom, whomever, and why.

Like a noun, a noun clause can function as the subject, object or the
complement. (subject, direct object, indirect object, subject complement,
object complement, complement of an adjective, complement of a
preposition, apposition)

Noun Clause functioning as a subject:

What my friend did was unbelievable.

What Carol said shocked all of us.

Noun clauses- Adjective clauses Prof. Adriana Edith Zalazar

Noun Clause functioning as the object:

Do you know how much this will cost?

I didn’t know that he could sing so well.

Noun Clause functioning as complement of a preposition:

We are not responsible for what they did.

You can give this to whoever you like.

Noun Clause functioning as the subject complement:

The truth was that the moving company lost all your furniture.
Your problem is that you don’t have faith in God.

Noun clause functioning as complement of an adjective

he was unsure how her parents would react.

My boss was anxious when sales fell.

I was delighted that she was chosen.

Noun clause in Apposittion

The problem, that you did not pick up the packages, delays the entire
production schedule.

I think the solution, that he hired a replacement, was the best course of
action at the time.

The answer from the company, that we buy a new table, angers me.

My decision, for you to leave the day after us, stands.

Noun clauses- Adjective clauses Prof. Adriana Edith Zalazar

His choice, for her to bring the kids the week after, seems logical.

Your idea, for Olive to make more pickles, appears ill-conceived.

Adjective Clause

An adjective clause can be defined as a dependent clause that acts as an

adjective.

Adjective clauses play the role of adjectives, they can modify or describe a
noun or pronoun. This noun is called ANTECEDENT

An adjective clause begins with a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whose,
whom) or relative adverb (when, where, or why). Since they begin with
relative pronouns, adjective clauses are also known as relative clauses.

They are classified into restrictive or defining relative clause or non-

restrictive or non-defining relative clause

Non-defining relative clauses are adjective clauses that add non-essential

information to the noun ;They are put between commas.

Defining relative clauses are adjective clauses that add essential information
that cannot be omitted.

This apple tree, which was planted my great grandmother, is 100 years old.
NON- DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE

I kicked the cat that scratched you. DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE

Ice-cream, which many of us adore, has no nutritional value. NON- DEFINING

RELATIVE CLAUSE
Noun clauses- Adjective clauses Prof. Adriana Edith Zalazar

My grandfather can remember the time when there were no televisions.

DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE

The old man who lives there went on holiday. DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE
The Eight Functions of Noun Clauses in
English
Nominal Functions and Subordinate Clauses of English
Grammar

Noun clauses perform eight main grammatical functions within sentences in the English
language. Both native speakers and ESL students must learn the eight functions to fully
and correctly use noun clauses in spoken and written English. The eight functions of
noun clauses are:

1. Subject
2. Subject complement
3. Direct object
4. Object complement
5. Indirect object
6. Prepositional complement
7. Adjective phrase complement
8. Appositive

Noun clauses are defined as subordinate or dependent clauses formed by a

subordinating conjunction followed by a clause. Noun clauses perform nominal
functions, or functions prototypically performed by noun phrases.

Noun Clauses as Subjects

The first grammatical function that noun clauses can perform is the subject. Subjects are
defined as words, phrases, and clauses that perform the action of or act upon the
predicate. For example, the following italicized noun clauses function as subjects:

 Whoever ate my lunch is in big trouble.

 How you will finish all your homework on time is beyond me.
 That the museum cancelled the lecture disappoints me.

Noun Clauses as Subject Complements

The second grammatical function that noun clauses can perform is the subject
complement. Subject complements are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that
follow a copular verb and describe the subject. For example, the following italicized
noun clauses function as subject complements:

 The truth was that the moving company lost all your furniture.
 My question is whether you will sue the company for losses.
 The first place winner will be whoever swims the farthest in an hour.
Noun Clauses as Direct Objects

The third grammatical function that noun clauses can perform is the direct object. Direct
objects are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that follow and receive the action of a
transitive verb. For example, the following italicized noun clauses function as direct
objects:

 The counselor has been wondering if she chose the right career.
 Do you know when the train should arrive?
 Our dog eats whatever we put in his bowl.

Noun Clauses as Object Complements

The fourth grammatical function that noun clauses can perform is the object
complement. Object complements are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that
directly follow and describe the direct object. For example, the following italicized noun
clauses function as object complements:

 Her grandfather considers his biggest mistake that he did not finish college.
 The committee has announced the winner whoever wrote the essay on noun
clauses.
 I have often declared the problem that most students do not understand
grammar.

Noun Clauses as Indirect Objects

The fifth grammatical function that noun clauses can perform is the indirect object.
Indirect objects are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that follow a ditransitive verb
and indicate to or for whom or what is action of the verb is performed. For example, the
following italicized noun clauses function as indirect objects:

 The judge will give what you said some deliberation during her decision.
 The group has given that most Americans do not support their cause little
consideration.
 My parents gave that my brother wants his own car much thought.

Noun Clauses as Prepositional Complements

The sixth grammatical function that noun clauses can perform is the prepositional
complement. Prepositional complements are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that
directly follow a preposition to complete the meaning of the prepositional phrase. For
example, the following italicized noun clauses function as prepositional complements:

 Some people believe in whatever organized religion tells them.

 We have been waiting for whoever will pick us up from the party.
 My husband did not think about that I wanted some nice jewelry for my
birthday.

Noun Clauses as Adjective Phrase Complements

The seventh grammatical function that noun clauses can perform is the adjective phrase
complement. Adjective phrase complements are defined as phrases and clauses that
complete the meaning of an adjective phrase. For example, the following italicized noun
clauses function as adjective phrase complements:

 I am pleased that you are studying noun clauses.

 The toddler was surprised that throwing a tantrum did not get him his way.
 My brother is angry that someone dented his new car.

Noun clauses most often function as adjective phrase complements when the adjective
phrase is performing the function of subject complement.

Noun Clauses as Appositives

The eighth grammatical function that noun clauses can perform is the appositive.
Appositives are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that describe or explain another
noun phrase. For example, the following italicized noun clauses function as appositives:

 That man, whoever is he, tried to steal some library books.

 The problem, that the storm knocked out power, is affecting the entire town.
 Your question, whether you should wear the blue dress or pink one, is frivolous
in the situation.

The eight functions of noun clauses in English are subject, subject complement, direct
object, object complement, indirect object, prepositional complement, adjective phrase
complement, and appositive. Both native speakers and ESL students must learn the
eight functions in order to properly and fully use the English language in both spoken
and written forms.

Sources

Hopper, Paul J. A Short Course in Grammar. W.W. Norton & Company: New York,
1999.

Huddleston, Rodney. Introduction to the Grammar of English. Cambridge University

Press: Cambridge, 1984

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 THE NOUN CLAUSE
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.

Identifying Noun Clauses. Underline the noun clause in each sentence.

Example: I know what the answer is.

1. Do you know who is the governor of Ohio?

2. Susan thinks that she will get the job at Martin's Store.

3. Whoever phoned us didn't let the phone ring long enough.

4. Andy promised that he'd be on time for the party.

5. Whether or not she should go camping worried Jane.

6. Mr. Sims mentioned that he'd be late for the meeting.

7. Whoever sent us this letter should have signed his or her name.

8. Who your ancestors were makes no difference to me.

9. Mr. Barnes swore that he would tell the truth.

10. That anyone else could be doing the same experiments never occurred to him.

11. The old man knew where the treasure was kept.

12. I'll never forget what happened on our way to the carnival.

13. I knew that the safe was behind the picture.

14. Amy assured Miss Jordan that she understood the problems.

15. What happened on June 30, 1973, will never be forgotten in our town.

16. We knew that we were in for a spell of hot, humid weather.

17. Whoever visits us will be assured of a freshly painted room.

18. Whoever sent us this Christmas card forgot to sign his or her name.

19. We all believe that Jim will be elected class president.

20. Mr. Norman regrets that he didn't travel more in his youth.
1. Do you know who is the governor of Ohio?

2. Susan thinks that she will get the job at Martin's store.

3. Whoever phoned us didn't let the phone ring long enough.

4. Andy promised that he'd be on time for the party.

5. Whether or not she should go camping worried Jane.

6. Mr. Sims mentioned that he'd be late for the meeting.

7. Whoever sent us this letter should have signed his or her name.

8. Who your ancestors were makes no difference to me.

9. Mr. Barnes swore that he would tell the truth.

10. That anyone else could be doing the same experiments never occurred to him.

11. The old man knew where the treasure was kept.

12. I'll never forget what happened on our way the carnival.

13. I knew that the safe was behind the picture.

14. Amy assured Miss Jordan that she understood the problems.

15. What happened on June 30, 1973, will never be forgotten in our town.

16. We knew that we were in for a spell of hot, humid weather.

17. Whoever visits us will be assured of a freshly painted room.

18. Whoever sent us this Christmas card forgot to sign his or her name.

19. We all believe that Jim will be elected class president.

20. Mr. Norman regrets that he didn't travel more in his youth.