Lesson 275 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun Clauses

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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. We will send the money to whoever asks for it.

2. Do you know how dynamite is made?

3. My hope that we visit Mount Rushmore is now a family idea.

4. His difficulty is that he cannot read.

5. Whoever said that is totally incorrect.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We will send the money to whoever asks for it.

- object of the preposition

2. Do you know how dynamite is made?

- direct object

3. My hope that we visit Mount Rushmore is now a family idea.

- appositive

4. His difficulty is that he cannot read.

- predicate nominative

5. Whoever said that is totally incorrect.

- subject

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