Noun Clauses
B1 · IntermediateNoun & Adverb ClausesI believe that she is right. What he said surprised everyone. A clause doing a noun's job.
What you'll learn
- A noun clause is a whole clause that functions as a subject, object, complement, or object of a preposition
- That-clauses are the most common type: I think that..., The problem is that..., It's important that...
- Wh-clauses (what, whoever, whatever...) function the same way
- For embedding a question (with if/whether or a wh-word, and no inversion), see Indirect and Embedded Questions
A clause doing a noun's job
A noun clause is a group of words with its own subject and verb that functions in a sentence exactly the way a single noun would — as a subject, an object, a complement, or the object of a preposition.
That-clauses
The most common noun clause starts with 'that.' It often follows verbs of thinking, saying, or believing, or comes after 'is' to define a problem, hope, or fact. In casual speech, 'that' is often dropped as an object — but it's usually kept when the clause is the subject.
Wh-clauses
Noun clauses can also start with a wh-word (what, whoever, whatever, whichever...) — especially useful as a subject or after a preposition.
Real English
Watch out
Use 'that' to introduce a fact or statement — 'what' is only for referring to an unspecified thing.
'That' can't directly follow a preposition to introduce a noun clause — use a wh-word like 'what' instead.
When a that-clause is the subject of the sentence, 'that' is normally kept, not dropped.
Real life — Sharing an opinion
"What do you think about the new plan?"
"Honestly, I think that it needs more work."
"That's fair. What worries me most is that we're running out of time."
"True. Whatever we decide, let's decide soon."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the sentence with a noun clause as the object
Choose the sentence with a noun clause as the object.
Exercise 2 · Choose the sentence with a noun clause as the subject
Choose the sentence with a noun clause as the subject.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence with a noun clause as a complement.
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 5 · Choose the sentence where 'that' can be dropped
Choose the sentence where 'that' can be naturally dropped.
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence with a noun clause as the object of a preposition.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 8 · Answer the question about embedded questions
For embedding a yes/no or WH- question as a noun clause (with no inversion), which lesson covers that in depth?
Exercise 9 · Combine the sentences
Combine using a that-clause as the object: 'She announced something. Everyone should evacuate.'
Exercise 10 · Rewrite the sentence
Rewrite starting with a noun clause as the subject: 'His decision to resign shocked the team.' (use 'That he decided to resign')
Exercise 11 · Sort into groups
0 / 4 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Choose the sentence with a noun clause as the subject.
You learned
- A noun clause functions as a subject, object, complement, or object of a preposition.
- That-clauses are the most common type, following verbs of thinking/saying or 'is.'
- Wh-clauses (what, whoever, whatever...) work the same way.
- For embedding a question specifically, see Indirect and Embedded Questions.
Related grammar lessons
Adverb Clauses of Time
Learn the 'no future in time clauses' rule: even when the meaning is future, an adverb clause of time uses the present tense, not 'will.'
Adverb Clauses of Reason and Purpose
Compare reason clauses (explaining why something happened) and purpose clauses (stating a goal or precaution), and learn 'in case' as a distinct precaution connector.
Adverb Clauses of Contrast
Learn whereas and while as contrast connectors that simply set two differing facts side by side — different from concession (although), which shows an obstacle being overcome.
Relative Adverbs: Where, When, and Why
Learn to use where, when, and why as relative adverbs — natural, one-word replacements for 'in/at/on which' and 'for which'.