Noun clauses are exceptionally common in English. It’s important to be able to use them confidently.
Let’s learn about this grammar in 3 steps.
- What is a noun?
- What are the functions of a noun?
- The Three Groups
If you can put all of these together, you can form a noun clause.
Step 1: What is a noun?
A noun can be:
a person: mom, teachers, him (pronoun), Thomas, Katie
a place: a restaurant, the hospital, the zoo, a country
a thing: a pen, your hair, my watch, animals
We can also have abstract nouns which you cannot see or touch. They are usually emotions or ideas:
trust
jealousy
intelligence
stupidity
love
travel
independence
What nouns can you think of?
You can see the different nouns/pronouns in these sentences:
Students can buy discounted books here.
Sheila wrote the principal a letter.
Are you interested in this antivirus software?
Oscar became a veterinarian.
You can also see, it’s unusual for a noun to stand alone. Most nouns include their modifiers like “discounted books” and “the principal.”
In today’s lesson, when I say “noun,” I am also referring to noun phrases.
Step 2: What are the functions of a noun?
Nouns can be
- Subjects
- Direct objects
- Indirect objects
- Object of the preposition and
- Subject complements
If you’re not quite sure about some of this terminology like “indirect object” or “subject complement,” you can read this blogpost on those topics.
Alternatively, you can watch my YouTube lesson.
Step 3: The Three Groups
Group 1:
who, what, when, where, why, how, whose, which, whom
Group 2:
whoever, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whomever
Group 3:
that, if, whether
There are many different resources which call these words different things: relative pronouns, relative adverbs, interrogative pronouns, interrogative adverbs, subordinating conjunctions, etc.
Please be aware of this.
To form a noun clause, you need A WORD FROM ONE OF THE GROUPS + subject + verb
Group 1:
who, what, when, where, why, how, whose, which, whom
who = person
what = thing
when = time
where = location
why = reason
how = possibility
whose = possession
which = the choice between two or more things
whom = the object form of “who”
* The word “whom” is rarely used nowadays and many people often use “who” as both the subject and the object form.
EXAMPLES:
“normal” noun: I know the plan.
direct object: the plan
noun clause: I know what I need to do.
direct object: what I need to do
what + subject + verb
You can see that my noun clause is functioning as a normal noun. It is a dependent clause.
“normal” noun: Everyone wanted to discuss the problem.
direct object: the problem
noun clause: Everyone wanted to discuss why they had to work on Sunday.
direct object: why they had to work on Sunday
why + subject + verb
“normal” noun: The departure time is unclear. When do we need to leave?
subject: The departure time
noun clause: When we need to leave is unclear.
subject: When we need to leave
when + subject + verb
“normal” noun: We need to think about money.
object of the preposition: money
noun clause: We need to think about how we can raise money for our school.
object of the preposition: how we can raise money for our school
how + subject + verb
Why do I need a noun clause? Can I just use a normal noun?
Yes you can, but a noun clause can express something more complex.
I don’t just want to talk about “money.” That’s too simple.
I want to talk about “how we can raise money for our school.” This is the complex idea that I want to express.
Sometimes, your “wh-” word IS the subject.
Jessica told me who sits there, but I forgot.
I have “who + verb.” Where is the subject? “”Who” IS the subject of this clause.
From TED TALK by Marcos Salazar:
Who you decide to focus on should be based on two things: the goal of your personal brand and the people who can best benefit from your unique talents and skills.
There are two clauses beginning with “who,” but only the first one is a noun clause. The second clause is describing the word “people,” so we know it’s a relative clause (also known as an “adjective clause”).
GROUP 2:
whoever, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whomever
What’s the difference between:
who / whoever
what / whatever
when / whenever
When we add the suffix “-ever” to these words, we mean:
✅It doesn’t matter.
✅Specifics are not important.
Are these words impolite? Isn’t it rude to say: It doesn’t matter?
No, these words are not impolite. It all depends on the context and your tone of voice.
EXAMPLES:
My home is your home. You can do whatever you like.
whatever + subject + verb
Here, “whatever” makes sense. This person is being welcoming and saying it doesn’t matter what you do.
A: What time should we meet?
B: Whenever you are available works for me.
whenever + subject + verb
I’m telling this person the time doesn’t matter to me. Anytime is OK.
Remember, a noun clause must function as a noun.
Whenever I get in an elevator, I feel claustrophobic.
Here, we see “whenever,” but is this part functioning as a noun? No. It is functioning as an adverb clause.
Whoever draws the lucky number 7 will win $1000.
This is a noun clause functioning as the subject.
Send whomever you know this message.
This is a noun clause functioning as the indirect object.
Everyone can participate in whichever sport they choose.
This is a noun clause functioning as the object of the preposition.
Wherever you choose to host the event must be within walking distance of the train station.
This is a noun clause functioning as the subject.
Group 3
if whether that
I heard (that) Alex has a gambling problem.
that + subject + verb
“That” is optional.
IF or WHETHER?
Both IF and WHETHER give us the option to choose between two things – usually “yes” or “no.”
IF is slightly less formal and WHETHER is slightly more formal, but you can use them in the same way.
if/whether + subject + verb (or not)
Please let me know if/whether you need my help (or not).
You can see the two options:
1 Yes, you need my help.
2 No, you don’t need my help.
WHETHER has another possibility.
Please let me know whether or not you need my help.
“Or not” can come directly after “whether.”
I wonder if/whether Max got the job (or not).
You can see the two options:
1 Yes, Max got the job.
2 No, Max didn’t get the job.
I wonder whether or not Max got the job.
Most noun clauses can be removed and replaced with a normal noun. Take a look at the examples in the image below.
However, the word “wonder” is pretty unique. When we use the word “wonder,” we are thinking about a question:
- I wonder where he is.
- I wonder what I’m having for dinner tonight.
- I wonder who she is talking to.
So, this verb is normally followed by a noun clause which cannot be replaced by a normal noun.
Nouns can be the object of a preposition, but IF cannot come after a preposition.
A: Do you think Bailey will be here for the meeting?
B: It depends on whether the trains are running on time.
B: It depends on if the trains are running on time?
Please don’t worry about whether you made a mistake.
Please don’t worry about if you made a mistake.
All grammar has its exceptions. Don’t focus on the exceptions too much and remember that the best thing you can do to learn the English language is to expose yourself to as much of it as possible.
TEST TIME:
All of the sentences in this test come from the book “Hideaway” by Nora Roberts.
I have seven pairs of sentences. All of the sentences are correct, but there is only 1 noun clause in each pair. Please choose the noun clause.
#1
When we knew who we were looking for, we got some information.
We get some help in the spring and summer when we need it.
#2
He didn’t know anybody who drove one.
I just don’t understand why anyone cares so much.
#3
I’d tell you if I did.
If a call runs late, you text me.
#4
She doesn’t deserve what’s coming next.
You’re meeting different people now, people who come from different places.
#5
I’m not picky. I eat whatever the cafeteria has to offer.
I can saddle one up for you whenever you want.
#6
He pulled the cloth off what looked like some kind of pie.
We get some help in the spring and summer when we need it.
#7
I never asked if I could open the door.
If her father had been home, she knew she’d have run screaming to him.
ANSWERS
I’ve included a pink noun to show you that the noun clauses could be replaced by a normal noun.
#1
When we knew who we were looking for, we got some information. (the person’s name)
We get some help in the spring and summer when we need it.
#2
He didn’t know anybody who drove one.
I just don’t understand why anyone cares so much. (this grammar)
#3
I’d tell you if I did. (the secret)
If a call runs late, you text me.
#4
She doesn’t deserve what’s coming next. (that punishment)
You’re meeting different people now, people who come from different places.
#5
I’m not picky. I eat whatever the cafeteria has to offer. (everything)
I can saddle one up for you whenever you want.
#6
He pulled the cloth off what looked like some kind of pie. (the pie)
We get some help in the spring and summer when we need it.
#7
I never asked if I could open the door. (a personal question)
If her father had been home, she knew she’d have run screaming to him.
