Noun Clauses in English Lesson Definition, Examples, Tests, Pronunciation Audio

A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun in a sentence. A noun clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb, and it can be used as the subject, object, or complement of a verb in a main clause. 

Noun clauses are also called subordinate clauses because they cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. They are introduced by a subordinating conjunction, such as "that," "if," "whether," "why," and "what."

Examples of noun clauses:

1. That he is coming to the party is great news.
2. If you need help, just ask.
3. Whether you come or not is up to you.
4. Why she left early is a mystery.
5. What he said made me angry.
6. It is important that you arrive on time.

Practical uses:

• Noun clauses are used to provide additional information about a noun in the main clause of a sentence.
• They can be used to ask questions, express doubt, or make requests.

Examples:

• Do you know what he said? (ask a question)
• I wonder if he is coming to the party. (express doubt)
• It is essential that you arrive on time. (make a request)

Special cases:

• Noun clauses can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
• When a noun clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, it is followed by a comma.

Examples:

• If you need help, just ask.
• That he is coming to the party is great news.

Noun Clauses Exercises:

1. Identify the noun clause in the following sentence: "It is important that you arrive on time."
2. Identify the noun clause in the following sentence: "What he said made me angry."
3. Rewrite the following sentence using a noun clause at the beginning: "I wonder if he is coming to the party."
4. Rewrite the following sentence using a noun clause at the end: "Do you know what he said?"
5. Rewrite the following sentence using a noun clause at the beginning: "It is essential that you arrive on time."

Answers:

1. that you arrive on time
2. What he said
3. If he is coming to the party, I wonder.
4. What he said, do you know?
5. That you arrive on time, it is essential.