Noun clauses
A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun in a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone. Noun clauses act as the subject, object or complement of a sentence, often beginning with words such as that, what, who, whether, if, why or how.
Types of noun clauses
That-clauses
Introduced by 'that', often reporting statements, beliefs or facts.
e.g. That she passed the exam surprised everyone., I believe that he is honest.
Wh-clauses
Introduced by question words such as what, who, where, why, when or how, expressing indirect questions or unknown information.
e.g. I don't know where he lives., What she said upset me.
If/whether clauses
Introduced by if or whether, used to express uncertainty or yes/no possibilities.
e.g. I wonder whether it will rain., She asked if I was ready.
Clauses after wish/hope
Function as the object of verbs expressing desire or expectation, often with subjunctive or modal forms.
e.g. I wish that I were taller., We hope that he arrives soon.
Rules to remember
- A noun clause must contain both a subject and a verb, and it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
- Noun clauses can function as the subject, direct object, subject complement or object of a preposition.
- When a noun clause reports an indirect question, use normal statement word order, not question word order (e.g. 'I know what he wants', not 'I know what does he want').
- The word 'that' introducing a noun clause can often be omitted in informal speech and writing when it is the object of the verb.
- In indirect yes/no questions, use 'if' or 'whether' since there is no question word to introduce the clause.
Examples in sentences
| Example | How it works |
|---|---|
| That the meeting was postponed annoyed the staff. | The that-clause acts as the subject of the sentence. |
| I don't understand why she left so suddenly. | The wh-clause functions as the object of 'understand'. |
| The truth is that he never applied for the job. | The that-clause is the subject complement after 'is'. |
| She asked whether I had finished my homework. | The whether-clause reports an indirect yes/no question. |
| What surprises me most is his calm attitude. | The wh-clause functions as the subject of the sentence. |
| I am interested in what he plans to do next. | The wh-clause functions as the object of the preposition 'in'. |
| He explained how the machine works. | The wh-clause functions as the direct object of 'explained'. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect: I don't know what does she want.
Correct: I don't know what she wants.
Incorrect: She asked me that if I was coming.
Correct: She asked me whether I was coming.
Incorrect: What he said it was interesting.
Correct: What he said was interesting.
Why this matters for IELTS
Using noun clauses accurately allows IELTS candidates to combine ideas into complex sentences, which examiners reward under Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Instead of writing two short sentences, a noun clause such as 'What concerns me is the rising cost of living' shows control of subordination and sentence variety. Just be careful with word order in indirect questions, since this is a very common error that lowers accuracy scores in both Writing and Speaking.
Frequently asked questions
What is a noun clause?
A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun, acting as a subject, object or complement, and it always contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence.
How do you identify a noun clause in a sentence?
Look for a clause introduced by words like that, what, who, why, how, if or whether that could be replaced by a single pronoun such as 'it' or 'something' while keeping the sentence grammatical.
What is the difference between a noun clause and an adjective clause?
A noun clause functions as a noun (subject, object or complement), while an adjective clause modifies a noun or pronoun and usually begins with a relative pronoun like who, which or that directly after the word it describes.
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