Noun Clauses

 MORE ABOUT NOUN CLAUSES

We have seen that there are three kinds of Subordinate Clauses:-The Noun Clause, the Adjective Clause, and the Adverb Clause.

We have also seen that a Noun Clause is a subordinate clause which does the work of a noun in a Complex sentence.

Since a Noun Clause does the work of a Noun in a Complex sentence, it can be:-

The Subject of a verb.

The Object of a transitive verb.

The Object of a preposition.

In Apposition to a Noun or Pronoun.

The Complement of a verb of incomplete predication.

In each of the following Complex sentences, the Noun Clause is the Subject of a verb:-

That you should say so surprises me. That it would rain seemed likely. What he said was true,

When I shall return is uncertain.

How he could assist his friend was his chief concern. Why he left is a mystery.

Whether we can start to-morrow seems uncertain.

In each of the following Complex sentences, the Noun Clause is the Object of a transitive verb:-

He says that he won’t go. I hoped that it was true.

She denied that she had written the letter. I cannot tell what has become of him.

I do not know when I shall return. I asked the boy how old he was. Tell me why you did this.

Tell me where you live.

No one knows who he is.

I earn whatever I can, Ask if he is at home.

In each of the following Complex sentences, the Noun Clause is the Object of a preposition:-

Pay careful attention to what I am going to say. There is no meaning in what you say.

There were no complaints except that the day was too hot.

In each of the following Complex sentences, the Noun Clause is in Apposition to a Noun or Pronoun:-

Your statement that you found the money in the street will not be believed. His belief that some day he would succeed cheered him through many disappointments.

You must never forget this, that honesty is the best policy.

It is feared that he will not come.

It was unfortunate that you were absent.

In each of the following Complex sentences, the Noun Clause is used as the Complement of a verb of incomplete predication:-

            My belief is that he will not come.

            Her constant prayer was that the child might live.

            His great fear is that he may fail.

            My wish is that I may please you.

            Their request will be that they may be allowed to resign.

            Life is what we make it.

            This is where I live.

A Clause coming after a construction consisting of an intransitive verb (particularly the verb to be) and an adjective does the work of a noun and is, therefore, treated as a Noun Clause.

In each of the following Complex Sentences, the Noun Clause comes after an intransitive verb construction:-

The child was afraid that he would fall down.

All of us are keen that you should succeed.

They felt sorry that they lost the match.

The patient was sure that he would recover.

She did not seem hopeful that he would arrive.

It will be seen that the preposition of, about or for necessary to connect the intransitive verb construction to the succeeding Noun Clause in each of the above sentences is omitted. If we put a noun or a gerund instead of the Clause, we would say afraid of, keen about, sorry for, sure of, hopeful of and the noun or gerund would be the object of the preposition in each case. The Noun Clause in each of the Complex Sentences may also be regarded as the object of the missing preposition after the intransitive verb construction. However, such Noun Clauses are often said to be used adverbially.

Note:- From the above, examples it will be seen that a Noun Clause is generally introduced by the subordinating Conjunction that. Sometimes, however, the Conjunction that is omitted; as,

I know (that) he did it.

Write down a dozen Complex sentences, each containing a Noun Clause. Make the Noun Clause the Subject in the first three, the Object in the next three, and in Apposition to a Noun or Pronoun in the next three. Use the Noun Clause predicatively in the last three.

Exercise

Point out the Noun Clause and say whether it is the Subject of some verb, or the Object of some verb, or the Complement of some verb, or in Apposition to some noun or pronoun, or the Object of same preposition:-

Tell me how you found that out.

That he will succeed is certain.

I think you have made a mistake.

She says her mother is ill.

How long I shall stay here is doubtful.

I did not know that he had come.

It is clear that he was guilty.

I do not understand how it all happened.

Can you tell who wrote Shakuntala?

All depends on how it is done.

Do you deny that you stole the purse?

The law will punish whosoever is guilty.

I think I know your face.

Ask if dinner is ready.

The report that he was killed is untrue.

He was very hopeful that he would succeed.

Do whatever you think right.

I don't see how you can get out of this mess.

Do you know when the train will arrive?

Whoever came was made welcome.

I understand you want a situation.

My verdict is that the prisoners shall die.

I cannot express how sorry I am.

They guessed what he meant.

I am afraid that she will be angry.

Will you explain why you behaved so?

No one can tell how this will end.

The truth is that we have been deceived.

It is not clear who has done this.

I do not know how I can deal with this rascal.

I did not know whether I should laugh or cry,

We are desirous that you should succeed.

Sometimes, instead of a Noun Clause introduced by that, the Accusative with the Infinitive is used.

   (a) He thought that he was safe there,

    (b) He thought himself to be safe there.

  (a) I believed that he was a true friend,

  (b) I believed him to be a true friend.

   (a) This proved that she man had stolen the horse,

   (b) This proved the man to have stolen the horse.

  (a) We know that Rama is alive.

  (b) We know Rama to be alive.