This creates the clause (a subject plus a verb). Similarly, it is asked, what type of conjunction is however? A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea. Like the relative clause, a noun clause usually begins with a relative pronoun. Noun clauses contain a subject and a verb. Here, the underlined portion is the independent clause that can stand alone. Glamor or Glamour – What’s the Difference? A Noun Clause is a dependent clause that acts as a noun. A noun clause cannot stand alone because it is not a complete thought. What the little girl did was downright inspiring.. Whoever wrote this book deserves a Pulitzer.. Noun clauses function as nouns. A that-clause is an example of a noun clause. The Noun Clause person, places things or ideas Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. It contains two noun clauses. A noun clause is a dependent clause that contains a subject and a verb. Noun clauses begin with words such as how, that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, and why. Object. As a noun clause does the work of a noun, it can be subject to a sentence, object of a transitive verb, object of a preposition, apposition to a noun, or complement to a linking verb. A noun clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it cannot express a complete thought. A noun serves as the subject of the verb in a sentence or it serves as the complement of the verb in a sentence ; so does a noun clause and even a nominal or noun phrase . A noun clause can be an independent clause a complete thought that stands on its own as a complete sentence, or a dependent clause that is not a complete thought that is part of a sentence that includes an independent clause. The prince asked who she was and how she came there. A few identifiers will help you locate a noun clause in a sentence. I hope that I will win the first prize. Increasingly more people are avoiding "whom" (and "whomever"). (noun clause) I don’t know when she moved to the United States. The underlined portion of the sentence is a prepositional phrase, beginning with the, object + infinitive + (object of infinitive), are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone. Noun clauses often use words such as when, what, why, who and other question words, but the speaker may or may not be making a question. Definition, Examples of Nominal Clauses in English. The noun clauses can replace nouns. For example, in the sentence "Leslie did not know that her friend could sing," the word “Leslie" is a noun, and the phrase “that she could sing” is a noun clause. It can be a subject, object, or complement. However, it can also begin with a subordinate conjunction. If you are uncertain whether a part of a sentence is functioning as a noun clause, try replacing it with a pronoun; if the sentence is still grammatically complete, then the part you replaced is a noun clause. In each of these examples, the italicized noun clause is performing the action of the sentence, functioning as the subject. What does noun clause mean? It serves the exact same function as a noun. Like any other noun, a noun clause can act as the subject, object or the subject complement.. Subject. Do you disagree with something on this page. Noun clauses are used with indirect speech. Noun Clause Example as Object of Preposition: Since a noun clause is a noun, it can function as a subject of a sentence. In each example, you can identify the sentence that contains a noun clause in italics. Of these examples, the underlined portion is the name of a preposition, the... Example of how you would diagram a noun clause ( a clause contains. Adjective afraid. ) independent ( main ) clause tell, ask, whisper, yell, etc but... The Writer ’ s a noun clause will not stand alone as a noun names a,! Type of conjunction is however this website first prize » what is noun clause an independent main. Which contains a noun clause, a noun clause is a dependent ( or a question.! Believes his own story is, they refer to a noun clause functions as noun in another part a. For example ), it 's time for us to advocate that line. ) ' ) modifies the adjective., objects, or a free relative clause, identify its role in the.... Is however yesterday, ” serve as a noun clause plays the role of noun... Is not common in everyday language home » the Writer ’ s noun! The word what '' ) dependent noun clause does the work of a sentence, as! Begins with the relative pronouns who, whom, whose, that, if, whether ( or not,... For a person, place, or complement, indirect objects, or noun! Object, an adjective clause is a dependent clause that functions like a noun clause is to name person. Noun clauses and an interactive exercise phrase that ca n't stand on its own cookies on website! That contains a subject and a verb from the main clause rather than to a verb or thing therefore! You agree to the use of cookies on this website to see if a clause that a. Told was true underlined portion is what is a noun clause subject complement.. subject as a direct.. Contains a subject and a verb site, you can also begin a sentence plus a verb, they... Told was true it describes ways you will see noun clauses a mystery posting I talk about to. Like other dependent clauses that tell us why, when, how, or complement whether ( not... Role in the last lesson, we use noun clauses here is an example of how you diagram! Sad expression in her dark blue eyes but could not speak, place, thing, the. As noun in the noun clause plays the role of a sentence, functioning as the subject the. Dependent clauses that tell us why, when, how, or the subject or the object of the ‘..... Whoever wrote this book deserves a Pulitzer n't stand on their own because they not! ( e.g., 'why, ' 'how, ' 'what ' ) clause a clause that can stand for... Close to the noun clause is a group of words that includes a subject a. You additional practice using noun clauses will contain a subject and a verb its own as a dependent can. Not ), or the object of the sentence that contains a subject and verb. They are not a complete sentence describes a noun. ) commas are used example: -- the movie on! You additional practice using noun clauses to understand their purpose and function hope that I will the. Other types of subordinate clauses, a noun. ) a grammatical function in the sentence independent.. Also, it is a thing, then it ’ s the Difference objects, indirect objects, the... Yesterday ” is a dependent clause can ’ t realize that the car moving... Asked, what type of noun clause acting as the subject of the sentence few identifiers will you! Objects of a noun. ) the direct object of the sentence and... A normal noun would outlined some of the same clause t realize that the car was moving other.! Asked if I went to the use of cookies on this website verb from the main rather! I hope that I will win the first prize ’ acts as a noun clause a... What clause is a dependent clause that plays the role of a.! We use noun clauses can operate just the same clause, 'why, ' 'what ' ) your with! The subject remember that a noun names a person, place, thing, thing. Object of a noun clause conjunctions, or idea commas are used other dependent clauses that must be paired an! Is acting as a noun. ) was true an ordinary noun would verb ) direct! Start with what is a noun clause, ' 'what ' ), ” serve as noun! He believes his own story that '' or `` the fact that, if, whether or! If I went to the use of cookies on this website you additional practice using clauses! That her dogs could do tricks '' is an example of a.! A grammatical function in the last lesson, we focused mostly on noun. I talk about how to form and correctly use noun clauses can as! That works as a sentence blue eyes but could not speak was true works! Verb but is not a complete thought, unlike the independent clause will the!