Noun Clauses

Noun clauses are dependent clauses that can occur in the same place as a noun or noun phrase.
Jack left during class. I wonder what happened.

main
clause
I wonder what happened.
noun
clause
Jack left during class. I wonder what happened.
Noun clauses are dependent clauses that can occur in the same place as a noun or noun phrase.

Noun clauses have a subject and a verb.
Jack left during class. I wonder what happened.

There are three different types of noun clauses:
Wh – Clauses

There are three different types of noun clauses:
Wh – Clauses, If/Whether Clauses

There are three different types of noun clauses:
Wh – Clauses, If/Whether Clauses, That Clauses

Wh – clauses are sometimes called indirect or embedded questions. Wh- clauses have different word order.
Do you know where she is?
Do you know where is she?
Where is she?
Where she is?
Usual wh-word order:
Wh-clause word order:

Wh – words can be followed by infinitives in wh – noun clauses.
They didn’t know what they should do.
They didn’t know what to do.
Jane can’t decide whether she should go or stay home.
Jane can’t decide whether to go or (to) stay home.
Please tell me how I can get to the airport.
Please tell me how to get to the airport.

If/Whether – clauses are also sometimes called indirect questions or embedded questions. They also use statement word order.
Do you know if you’re coming with us?
Do you know if are you coming with us?

Or not can be added to the end of if/whether – clauses if the clauses are not very long.
I wonder whether she arrived or not.
I wonder if she arrived or not.
I don’t know whether she did her homework or not.
I don’t know if she did her homework or not.

Or not can also immediately follow whether, but it can’t follow if.
I wonder whether she arrived or not.
I wonder whether or not she left.
I wonder if she arrived or not.
I wonder if or not she arrived.
same
meaning

A question mark is used only if the main clause is a question.

That can usually be omitted in that clauses.
People say that he is a great teacher.
People say he is a great teacher.
Most people agree that the world is round.
Most people agree the world is round.
I think that most people are honest.
I think most people are honest.

That cannot be omitted when it introduces a noun clause used as a subject of a sentence.
That he is a great teacher is a fact.
It is a fact that he is a great teacher.

Do you think that this is delicious food?
Click on the correct statements.
I wonder what happened?
She said that this food is delicious.
incorrect
correct
correct
I wonder what happened.
correct
Noun Clauses

I’m sorry that I was late for class.
Click on the correct statements.
I wonder where is that new library.
Can you tell me what happened, please?
incorrect
correct
correct
I wonder where that new library is.
correct
Noun Clauses