Noun Clause

What is a Noun Clause?

A Noun Clause is a dependent clause that acts as a noun.

As a noun clause does the work of a noun, it can be subject to a sentence, object of a transitive verb, object of a preposition, apposition to a noun, or complement to a linking verb.

Examples of Noun Clauses:

• What the boy told was true.

“What the boy told” is the dependent clause. It is the subject of the sentence. Hence this dependent clause is a noun clause.

• I know where he has gone. 

 “where he has gone”  is the dependent clause. It is the object of the verb “know.” Hence this dependent clause is a noun clause.

• I cannot depend on what you say.

“what you say” is the dependent clause. It is the object of the preposition “on”. Hence this dependent clause is a Noun clause.

• His statement that he has never gone there is a lie.

            “that he has never gone there“ is the dependent clause. It is in apposition to the noun “statement.”

• His belief is that the coronavirus may have leaked from a lab.

“that the coronavirus may have leaked from a lab” is the dependent clause.It is the complement of the linking verb “is.” Hence this dependent clause is a Noun Clause.