| A noun clause is a dependent clause that begins with a question word and is used as a subject or an object of a sentence. |
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| Wh-question words |
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if (yes/ no questions) |
| what |
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that |
| when |
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whether |
| where |
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| why |
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| who |
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| whom |
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| which |
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| whose |
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| how |
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| Usage |
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Wh-question Words + S + V +..... |
(subject position) |
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What I discovered was exciting. |
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........+ Wh-question Words + S + V+ |
(object position) |
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I realized who he was. |
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If/whether is used in response to yes/no questions. |
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Is he home? |
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I don't know whether/if he is home. |
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That can be omitted if it is used
as the object pronoun in a noun clause. |
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That he is late worries me. |
(subject position) |
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I think (that) he is lost. |
(object position) |
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I think he is lost . |
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A noun clause does not have a question word order even though it starts with a question word. The verbs
do, does, and did are not used in noun clauses. |
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In a sentence, the subject of a noun clause always takes a singular verb. |
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S |
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V |
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| Why |
they |
refused to pay the bill |
is |
a mystery. |
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| Noun Clauses - Subjectives in Noun Clauses
- Examples |