This document discusses noun clauses, which are dependent clauses that function as nouns within sentences. Noun clauses can serve five functions: as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions, and subject complements. Examples are provided for each function to illustrate how noun clauses can replace nouns and provide additional information within sentences.

1. Noun Clauses

2. What Is a noun Clause?
• A noun clause is a clause (a group of words with a subject and a
verb) that serves as a noun in a sentence. In the English language,
nouns are the words used to refer to people, places, or things.

4. • Dependent clauses add meaning to independent clauses in a variety of
ways by acting like adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.
• Relative clauses are dependent clauses that modify or give more
information about a noun in the independent clause.
• For example: -
Scar, who was Simba’s jealous and wicked uncle, threatened to take over
Pride Rock.
The dependent relative clause, who was Simba’s jealous and wicked uncle,
modifies or gives more information about the noun subject of the
independent clause, Scar.

5. • Additionally, adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that modify or give more
information about a verb in the independent clause.
• For example: -
• When Timon and Pumba first meet Simba, they are afraid that Simba might eat
them.
• The dependent adverbial clause, when Timon and Pumba first meet Simba,
explains when they are afraid, modifying the verb in the independent clause.

6. • Lastly, noun clauses are dependent clauses that can replace any noun in the
sentence.
• For example: Rafiki encouraged Simba to remember who he was.
• In this sentence, the noun clause, who he was, is acting as an object of the
infinitive phrase to remember.

7. • A noun clause is a dependent clause that takes the place of any noun in
the sentence, whether they are subjects, objects, or subject
complements.
• For example: She was saddened by what she had read.
• In the sentence above, the noun clause what she had read is being used
as the object of the preposition by.

8. What are the five functions of noun clauses?
• 1. Subject: Noun clauses can function as subjects of sentences.
• For example: Why my pet turtle stares at me all day is beyond me.
• In the sentence above, the underlined noun clause acts as a single
subject of the independent clause.

9. • 2. Direct Object
• Noun clauses can also function as direct objects of the verb in the independent
clause.
• For example: -
When my dog goes to doggy day care, I do not know what he does, but he always
has the best time.
• In the sentence above, the noun clause what he does is acting as the direct
object of the verb know.

10. • 3. Indirect Object
• Noun clauses can also act as indirect objects of the verb in the independent
clause.
• For example: -
• She chose to photograph whomever was willing to pose for her.
• The noun clause whomever was willing to pose for her is the indirect object
of the same verb.

11. • 4. Object of the Preposition
• Other times, noun clauses can act as the object of a preposition in the
independent clause.
• For example: -
• I like to keep a schedule of when I have upcoming appointments.
• In the sentence above, the noun clause when I have upcoming appointments is
acting as the object of the preposition of.

12. • 5. Subject Complement
• Lastly, noun clauses can act as subject complements, or nouns that follow
linking verbs.
• For example: -
Actors can become whomever they want to be on the stage.
• In the sentence above, the noun clause whomever they want to be is the
subject complement of the linking verb become.

13. Exercise
• Underline the noun clause:-
• The king ordered that the traitor should be put to death.
• He said that he would not go.
• That he is not interested in the offer is known to us.
• He said that he was not feeling well.
• I cannot rely on what he says.
• I don't know where he has gone.
• He asked whether the servant had polished his shoes