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Understanding Noun Clauses
Noun clauses are a type of dependent clause that act like a noun in a sentence. They can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition. Noun clauses often start with words like 'that,' 'what,' 'who,' 'whom,' 'whose,' 'which,' 'where,' 'when,' 'why,' and 'how.'
How to Identify Noun Clauses
To find a noun clause, look for a group of words that starts with a question word or 'that' and acts like a noun. If you can replace the group of words with a single noun and the sentence still makes sense, you have found a noun clause.
Examples
What she said made everyone laugh.
I don't know where he went.
That you are here is wonderful.
Uses of Noun Clauses
Important Points
Subject of a sentence
Object of a verb
Object of a preposition
Noun clauses can be used in different parts of a sentence. They can be the subject, which is what the sentence is about. They can also be the object of a verb, which is what receives the action. Lastly, they can be the object of a preposition, which is the noun that comes after a preposition.
Examples
What you decide is up to you. (Subject)
I wonder what he is doing. (Object of a verb)
She is curious about how it works. (Object of a preposition)
Common Noun Clause Starters
Important Points
that
what
who
whom
whose
which
where
when
why
how
These words often begin noun clauses. They help connect the noun clause to the rest of the sentence and show the relationship between the ideas.
Tips for Using Noun Clauses
Important Points
Check if the clause can be replaced with a noun.
Look for question words or 'that' at the beginning.
Ensure the sentence makes sense with the noun clause.
When using noun clauses, make sure they fit well into the sentence. You can test this by seeing if the sentence still works if you replace the noun clause with a simple noun. Also, be on the lookout for the words that commonly start noun clauses.
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