2022/2 Essay Writing

The Composition of a Noun Clause

Let's look quickly at the definition for "clause."

Definition of "Clause"

A clause has a subject and a verb and functions as one part of speech.

(It follows therefore that a noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence.)

Lots of noun clauses start with "that," "how," or a "wh"-word (i.e., "what," "who," "which," "when," "where," or "why"). For example:

• I know that it happened.
• I know how it happened.
• I know why it happened.

How To Check If Your Clause Is Functioning As a Noun

A great way to check whether a phrase or clause is functioning as a noun is to have a go at replacing it with a pronoun. If you can, your phrase or clause is functioning as a noun.

• What I say is true.

(Pronoun test: "It is true." This proves that "What I say" is functioning as a noun.)

• Show me how they work.

(Pronoun test: "Show me them." This proves that "how they work" is functioning as a noun.)

The Function of Noun Clauses

Like any noun, a noun clause can be a subject, an object, or a complement. Here are some more easy examples of noun clauses as subjects, objects, and complements.

• Whoever smelt it dealt it.

(Here, the noun clause is a subject.)

• My command is whatever you wish.

(Here, the noun clause is a subject complement.)

• I will give what you said some thought.

(Here, the noun clause is an indirect object. That's pretty rare.)

 

Examples of Noun Clauses

Here are some easy examples of noun clauses. In each example, the noun clause is shaded, the subject of the clause is bold, and the verb of the noun clause is underlined.

• I know that the story is true.
• I saw how the accident happened.
• I understand why it was necessary.
• I know who said that.

(Often, the opening word (i.e., "how," "that," or the "wh"-word) is the subject of the noun clause.)

 

Here are some real-life examples:

• Light knows when you are looking at it. ("Light and space" artist James Turrell)

(Here, the noun clause is the direct object of the verb "knows.")

• It is a light thing for whoever keeps his foot outside trouble to advise and counsel him that suffers. (Greek tragedian Aeschylus)

(Here, the noun clause is the object of a preposition ("for").)

• My relationships are between me and whomever I'm with, not between me and the world. (Actress Lili Reinhart)

(Here, the noun clause is the object of a preposition ("with").)

• Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. (Playwright George Bernard Shaw)

(Here, the noun clause is a subject complement.)

• Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if he's buying. (Fran Lebowitz)

(This noun clause is the direct object of "ask.")

• He knows all about art, but he doesn't know what he likes. (James Thurber, 1894-1961)

(This noun clause is the direct object of "know.")

• It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man. (H L Mencken, 1880-1956)

(This noun clause is the direct object of "believe.")

• I never know how much of what I say is true. (Bette Midler)

(This noun clause is an object of a preposition.)

• Man is what he eats. (Ludwig Feuerbach)

(This noun clause is a subject complement.)

• My one regret in life is that I am not someone else. (Woody Allen)

(This noun clause is a subject complement.)