NOUN CLAUSES

What are noun clauses?

Noun clauses (sometimes called nominal clauses) are groups of words within a sentence referring to a fact - they can sometimes be replaced by a noun. We can use pronouns like it and that to refer to these clauses.
I know that you didnt mean to do it. To stop and think about things for a while is something we all need to do, but it is something few of us have time for. I understand what you are saying but I disagree with it. Going shopping is something I hate; I always try to avoid it. How well we do remains to be seen. That depends on you.

NOUN CLAUSES
Types of noun clauses
1. That clauses: That he is the best choice goes without saying. 2. Wh-clauses: Im not really sure what hes talking about. 3. Exclamation clauses: I cant believe how quickly he learned the language. 4. To infinitive clauses: I like to get up early. 5. ing clauses (gerunds): Driving too fast is something most new drivers tend to do. 6. Nominal clauses: That is exactly what Ive been trying to tell you all day.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 1: That clauses:
1. Following nouns We commonly use that-clauses to talk about facts or beliefs: The idea that we dont care is simply untrue. The fact that he isnt here shouldnt be too surprising.

Here are the nouns commonly followed by that-clauses: danger, evidence, idea, impression, principle, risk, experience, view, sign, fact, disadvantage, news, opinion, possibility, tradition

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 1: That clauses:
2. Following adjs That-clauses are common after certain adjs: Its sad that they couldnt stay longer. We commonly begin these structures with it: It was inevitable that they should find out eventually. Here are adjs commonly followed by that-clauses: essential, interesting, likely, sad, inevitable, true, probable, lucky, important, awful, possible, extraordinary.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 1: That clauses:
3. Following report verbs and nouns: He explained that the company policy was about to change. His explanation was that the company policy was about to change. After some report structures we use the subjunctive in the that-clause: I suggested that he remove all reference to alcohol in the article.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 1: That clauses:
4. That clauses as subject of the sentence: That we dont care is simply untrue. That he wasnt there didnt come as a huge surprise. Its more common to use the structure with: It .. that .. Its simply untrue that we dont care. It didnt come as a huge surprise that he wasnt there.

NOUN CLAUSES

Section 1: That clauses:

5. Omitting that When we use a that-clause as an object, for example after report verbs, we often omit that:

He promised (that) he would come.

With subject clauses beginning with It we normally omit that after the common phrase: Its a pity/ shame .. Its a shame that you couldnt come to the party. .

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 1: That clauses:
6. Relative clause or noun clause? After nouns, we use that to introduce both relative clauses and noun clauses. There are important differences: In the following example, the noun clause extends the meaning of the noun promise and tells us what it is. We cant replace that with which: He made a promise that he could return all the money (noun clause) In the following example, we dont know exactly what the promise was. In relative clauses we can usually replace that with which: He made a promise that/which he failed to keep. (= relative clause)

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 1: That clauses:
? CHECK Underline the noun clauses in these sentences. a. The assumption that well do all the preparations annoys me. b. Im convinced he didnt do it. c. They said it was a waste of time. d. It seems unlikely that theyll succeed the first time. e. That he is here at all is a miracle.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 1: That clauses:
? CHECK Underline the noun clauses in these sentences. a. The assumption that well do all the preparations annoys me. b. Im convinced he didnt do it. c. They said it was a waste of time. d. It seems unlikely that theyll succeed the first time. e. That he is here at all is a miracle.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 2: wh clauses:
1. Uses of wh-clauses:

Wh-clauses are related to questions: I dont know who is coming to the party. Why he disappeared remains a mystery. We commonly used wh-clauses in reported questions. He asked where Id been that morning. He asked where had I been that morning.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 2: wh clauses:
2. Prepositions with wh-clauses:

We can use wh-clauses after prepositions: They consulted us on who they should invite. When the preposition belongs to the verb in the whclause, it usually comes at the end of the clause: He asked me where I got the coat from. However, in very formal English it may come at the beginning: He asked me from where I got the coat.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 2: wh clauses:
3. Infinitives with wh-clauses

We often use to-infinitives with wh-clauses, especially when referring to possible courses of action: I never know how to work out percentages. I was wondering what to do. These clauses can be rewritten with should: I never know how I should work out percentages. I was wondering what I should do.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 2: wh clauses:
4. Whether and if We use whether and if when a yes-no question is implied: Do you know whether/if there is a good film on tonight? We commonly use whether rather than if when talking about a choice or alternative: Whether its necessary to tell her everything about this is debatable. (=choice) If is common when the noun clause is the object of a verb: I dont know if there is anything we can do to help. In other positions, we commonly use whether. We use if in informal spoken English.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 2: wh clauses:
4. Whether and if Positions of whether/if As a subject: Whether the extra work makes any difference remains to be seen. If we will do it again depends on the weather. (=informal) After be: My worry is whether hes taken all the risks on board. The question is if we should risk it or not. (=informal) After a preposition: We have to discriminate between whether they really need the money or are just being greedy. (Not possible with if)

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 2: wh clauses:
4. Whether and if Positions of whether/if After nouns The decision, whether to wait another year before spending the money, will be taken at todays meeting. (Not possible with if) Before a to-infinitive I cant decide whether to go or not. (Not possible with if) Immediately before or not we have to decide whether or not we are going. (Not possible with if unless or not comes later in the phrase: We have to decide if we are going or not.)

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 2: wh clauses:
5. Exclamations

We also use what and how in exclamation clauses:

Its amazing how fast children grow! I told him what a great time we had.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 3: To-infinitive and ing clauses:
1. Positions in a sentence:

As subject or complement To achieve so much by the age of 25 is wonderful. (formal) Its wonderful to achieve so much by the age of 25. Achieving so much by the age of 25 is wonderful. its wonderful, achieving so much by the age of 25.
As object I love to listen to music in the evenings. I love listening to music in the evenings.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 3: To-infinitive and ing clauses:
1. Positions in a sentence:

After be My main ambition is to become a surgeon. My biggest nightmare is completely forgetting to turn up for the exams.
After nouns His plans to travel during the Christmas holiday fell apart. There could be a problem finding a suitable hotel.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 3: To-infinitive and ing clauses:
1. Positions in a sentence:

After adjectives: I was sorry to have to tell her about the accident. The children were very happy playing in the garden. After prepositions Hes interested in making money. I really object to driving on busy holiday weekends.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 3: To-infinitive and ing clauses:
2. Differences between ing and to-infinitive:

We use to-infinitive clauses to refer to possibilities, ideas and aims: To set up business in China was his long-term aim.(his idea)
We use ing clauses to refer more to facts and things that have already happened: Setting up this business was really hard work.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 3: To-infinitive and ing clauses:
3. Adding a subject to to-infinitive clauses

For him to complain about being overworked is ridiculous.

4. Adding a subject to ing clauses I really object to his making so much noise. I really object to him making so much noise.

NOUN CLAUSES
Section 3: To-infinitive and ing clauses:
5. Common phrases: To err is human; to forgive, divine. To be or not to be, that is the question. To travel hopefully is better than to arrive. It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

I cant get used to losing you.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH NOUN CLAUSES

1. Wrong Word Order The correct order of a noun clause is: Wh + S +V Wh + V That S +V Incorrect: Can you remember who is she? Correct: Can you remember who she is?

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH NOUN CLAUSES

2. Omitting the verb: Dont forget the verb in the

main sentence. Incorrect: Why the pilot didnt show up a mystery. Correct: Why the pilot didnt show up remains a mystery.

Incorrect: That teacher needs more pay a simple fact. Correct: That teacher needs more pay is a simple fact.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH NOUN CLAUSES

3. Wrong Verb Form After Certain Expressions: For certain expressions that signal the importance, you must always use the base form of the verb in the noun clause. It is important that It is necessary that It is imperative that S + suggest that S + recommend that S + demand that S + request that S + insist that S + propose that

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH NOUN CLAUSES

3. Wrong Verb Form After Certain Expressions: Incorrect: It is important that Mr. Thompson is here at 9 am. Correct: It is important that Mr. Thompson be here at 9 am. Incorrect: The airline recommended that Kate arrives two hours early. Correct: The airline recommended that Kate arrive two hours early.