NOUN CLAUSE

NOUN CLAUSES

            Noun clause is a clause (ie subject and verb) is used as a noun. Noun clause in the sentence is generally used as subject and object of the sentence.

Noun clauses can be initiated by:

     Question word or relative pronoun question whether a single word or phrase:
         Single question word (ie when, how, what, ect.).
         Question word + determiner / noun / adjective / adverb.
         Question word + infinitive.
     Conjunction (i.e. whether and if).
     That or the fact that.

1.      Single questions words

In How to Address Questions were discussed about the use of the word good in making the information asked questions as well as in making the embedded questions. Embedded questions are noun clause. In this section provided additional examples to refresh your memory.

Example :

1.       Where she is now is still unknown

2.       They arrive when is still uncertain

3.       I know what you did last summer and I still know what you did last summer are two Hollywood movies starred by Jennifer Love Hewitt. Note: in this sentence, noun clause what you did last summer became the object of I know and I still know, and when combined with: two Hollywood movies are starred by Jennifer Love Hewitt, a compound subject of the sentence.

2.      Question words + ever /soever

Except how, at the end of question words can ever or soever be added Whenever = whensoever, whatever = whatsoever, and so on. Meaning here ever or soever the same, that it / was, living combined with a question word in front of him. Meanwhile, how + ever be however (ie adverb or also called transition words that mean yet / even if the case) are not included in this category.

Example :

1.       We will accept whatever you want us to do. (We will accept / do whatever you want us to do).

2.       Whoever can melt her feeling is a very lucky guy. (melt = melt). Be careful: guy (pronounced gae) = men, while gay (read gei) = fag = homosexual.

3.        She has Agreed to Wherever the man would bring her. (He has agreed to take him wherever he goes). Note: in speaking (informal), preposition (in this case to, etc.) Is usually placed at the end of the sentence. She has Agreed Wherever the man would bring her to.

3.Question words+nouns

Question words + nouns that are used among other things: what time (time), what day (any day), what time (time), what kind (kind), what type (what type), Whose + nouns (ie Whose car, Whose book, ect.), and so on.

Example :

1.      I can not remember what day we will take the exam.

2.       As long as I am faithful, she does not care what type of family I come from. (= loyal faithful).

3.      Do you know what time it is?

4.      I do not know Whose car is parked in front of my house.

4.Question words + adjectives

Question + words frequently used adjectives such as: how long (how long / long), how far (how far), how old (how old / aged), ect.

Example :

1.      Man! She still looks young. Do you know how old she actually is?

2. I am lost. Could you tell me how far it is from here to the post office?
3. What a jerk. He didn’t even ask how long I had been waiting for him.

5.Question words + determiners

Question determiners + words frequently used are: how many (how many) and how much (how much). Remember: how many plural nouns followed by, while how much was followed by uncountable nouns.

Example :

1. Is there any correlation between how good he or she is in English and how many books he or she has?
2. How much your English skill will improve is determined by how hard you practice.

6.Question words + adverbs

Question words + adverbs are often used is: how Often (how often), how many times (how many times) ect.

Example :

1.       I do not want my parents to know how many times I have left school early. (leave school early = absent).

7.Question words + infinitives

If the question was immediately followed by infinitives words, it implies invinitives should or can / could. Note that the subject after the question words omitted.

Exercise           :

1.      Last week, our cat gave birth to a litter of kittens, but we didn't know where________

a.       Is our cat

b.      Our cat was

c.       Our cat is

d.      Was our cat

Answer      : B

2.      She needs to find new homes for them, but she doesn’t know whom ________

a.       Should she ask

b.      She should ask

c.       She ask

d.      She asks

Answer      : B

3.      One mother told her son, “_______ is daily care. Can you give that?”

a.       That a pet needs

b.      Which a pet needs

c.       What a pet needs

d.      Whether a pet needs

Answer      : C

4.      “Adopting a kitten depends on _______ the ability to care for it.”

a.       Have you

b.      That have you

c.       Whether you have

d.      You have

Answer      : C

5.      Of course, the child agreed.   Is it possible ________ the child would not agree?

a.       What

b.      If

c.       Whether or not

d.      That

Answer      : D

Source : http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/nounclausequiz.html

            http://swarabhaskara.com/parts-of-speech/noun-clauses/