A Guide to Noun Clauses in English

by | Dec 9, 2024 | Clauses

A noun clause is a type of subordinate clause (dependent clause) that acts as a noun in a sentence. Most of the time noun clauses begin with a relative pronoun like what or whatever. In this noun clause example, “I like who you are,” the noun clause “who you are” acts as a single noun, specifically the direct object for the verb like.

Noun clauses are considered advanced English because they can get a little confusing. So in this guide, we cover the rules for how to use noun clauses correctly. But first, let’s take a deeper look at the question, What is a noun clause?

What is a Noun Clause?

A noun clause gets its name because it is simply a clause that acts like a noun. A clause is any group of words that contains both a subject and a verb, but noun clauses are a specific type of clause called a subordinate clause.

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How to use noun clauses

Noun clauses can do anyting a regular noun can do. This means they can act as a:

  • subject 
  • direct object
  • indirect object
  • prepositional object
  • predicate nominative

Noun clauses completely replace individual nouns in a sentence, no matter how long the noun clauses are or how may words they contain. for example, let’s look at a sentence without a noun clause.

  • My dog eats things.

The individual noun things is the direct object for eats. If we want to give more detail, we can replace the noun things with a more descriptive nou nclause. Not only do noun cluases contain and extra verb for more details, they can also include other words like adverbs and preposiotnal phrases. 

  • My eats whatever falls on the floow.

What do Noun Clauses start with

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Relative Pronouns

  • who 
  • what 
  • where
  • when
  • why
  • how 
  • that 
  • which

Indefinite relative pronouns

  • whoever
  • whomever
  • whatever
  • wherever
  • whenever
  • whichever

Subordinating conjunctions

  • if 
  • whether

Noun Clause Examples

1. Noun Clause Examples: Subject

The subject is the person or thing that does the main action in a sentence. The subject usually comes at the beginning of a sentence. 

  • Whoever wins the race gets the trophy.
  • Whichever you pick is find with me.

2. Noun Clause Examples: Direct Object

The direct object is the noun that receives the action of transitive verbs.

I couldn’t see whether it was day or night.

The chess player didn’t know if they could win.

3. Noun Clause Examples: Indirect Object

In sentence wit transitive verbs, indirect objects receive the direct objtct. They typically come between the verb and the direct object. 

  • She told whoever would listen her sad story.
  • Look for open teammates; don’t pass whoever is closest the ball.

4. Noun Clause Examples: Prepositional Object

Nouns act as objects to prepostions like on, about, or for. Togetther the preposition and its object form a prepostional phrase. 

  • Our suspect depends on who owns the murder weapon.
  • The people want to hear about why you are running for Congress.

5. Noun Clause Examples: Predicate Nominative

Predicate nominatives are nouns that follow linking verbs like be or seem. Instead of describing an action like other verbs, linking verbs describe the subject – the action is simply existing. 

  • Is this what you wanted?
  • His reason for being late was that his cat got sick.

Keep in mind the relative pronoun that is often optional and can be removed from a sentence. in the next example, it is still assumed but not stated. 

  • His reason for being late was his cat got sick.

Noun clauses vs. Relative Clauses

Although both noun clauses and relative clauses can begin with relative pronouns, noun clauses function differently than relative clauses. A noun clause completely replaces an individual noun in a sentence. However, relative clauses don’t replace anything; they simply add new information. they modify nouns instead of taking their place.

Noun Clause Example:

  • Karen needs to speak with whoever runs the store.

Relative Clause Example:

  • Karen needs to speak with the person who runs the tore.

In the first example above, the noun clause “whoever runs the tore” acts as the object of the proposition with. But in the second example, “the person” is the object of the preposition with. The relative clause “who runs the store” is an adjective phrase that describes and modifies “the person” but does not replace it like a noun clause does.

Noun Clause vs. Noun Phrase

Just like a non clause, a noun phrase is also a group of words that work together as a single nouns. The main difference between a noun clause and a noun phrase is noun clauses have verbs, but noun phrases do not. Noun clauses also usually start with relative pronouns, unlike noun phrases.

Noun clause:

The gast station clerk told us how we can go from Main Street to the highway.

Noun phrase:

The gas station clerk told us directions from Main Street to the highway.

In the noun clause example, “how we can go from Main Street to the highway” has a subject (we) and a verb (go), the necessary parts of a clause. The prepositonal phrases “from Main Street” and “to the highway” act as adverbs that describe the verb go. 

The noun phrase “directionals from Main Street to the highway” does not have a verb. The prepositional phrase “from Main Street” and “to the highway” act as adjectives to describe the noun directions. 

In both of these examples, the group of words work together as a single noun that is the direct object of told and explains what the gas station clerk said.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions about Noun Clauses

What is a noun clause?

A noun clause is a type of subordinating clause (dependent clause) that acts as a noun in a sentence. In the noun clause example, “I like who you are,” the noun clause “who you are” acts as a single noun, specifically the direct object of the verb like.

How do noun clauses work?

In noun clauses, the words all work together to replace a single noun you can use noun clauses in all the same places. You can use a normal noun: as the subject, direct object, indirect object, prepositional object, or predicate nominative.

What is the difference between a noun clause and a noun phrase?

Both noun clauses and noun phrases are groups of words that work together as a single noun. The difference is that noun lcauses contain a verb, but noun phrases do not. Noun clauses also usually start with a relative pronoun, whereas noun phrases do not. 

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