Lesson 271 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun Clauses

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A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause (which can stand alone and make sense) and a dependent clause (which must be attached to the independent clause to make sense). 

 

Example: 

The television was playing (independent clause) as I left the room (dependent clause). 

 

There are three kinds of dependent clauses: adjective clause, adverb clause, and noun clause.

 

A noun clause is a dependent clause that can be used in the same way as a noun or pronoun. It can be a subject, predicate nominative, direct object, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition. 

 

Some of the words that introduce noun clauses are that, whether, who, why, whom, what, how, when, whoever, where, and whomever. Notice that some of these words also introduce adjective and adverb clauses. 

 

To check if the dependent clause is a noun clause, substitute the clause with the pronoun it or the proper form of the pronouns he or she.

 

Examples: 

I know who said that. = I know it.

Whoever said it is wrong. = He is wrong.

 

Sometimes a noun clause is used without the introductory word. 

 

Example: 

I know that he is here.

I know he is here.

Instructions: Find the noun clauses in the following sentences and tell how they are used (subject, predicate nominative, direct object, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition).

1. One should profit from what he sees and learns.

2. Her idea that I hire you was a very good one.

3. We wonder what your plans for the trip are.

4. My hope is that we may visit in Boston.

5. Why you did not hire me is hard to comprehend.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. One should profit from what he sees and learns.

- object of the preposition

2. Her idea that I hire you was a very good one.

- appositive

3. We wonder what your plans for the trip are.

- direct object

4. My hope is that we may visit in Boston.

- predicate nominative

5. Why you did not hire me is hard to comprehend.

- subject

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