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How to Identify a Noun Clause
Noun clauses are used to identify or rename an object, person, or idea. They are a type of dependent clauses that begin with certain words such as “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “which,” “why,” or “how.” Here’s how to spot a noun clause:
- Recognize words like “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “which,” “why,” or “how.” These words indicate that a noun clause is being used.
- Notice if the sentence starts with a subordinate conjunction. A subordinate conjunction functions as an adjective or adverb in a sentence and is often, but not always, followed by who, where, or when, which indicates a noun clause.
- Look for the relative pronoun that comes after the noun. If it comes with verbs or adverbs that help describe the noun, it might be part of a noun clause. For example, ‘She wonders Why he always stays late.”
- Analyze whether the clause is introducing a subject or object. A noun clause functions as a subject or object in a sentence, but it cannot be both. If the clause has an action that happens to it, it is an object, and if it is the one responsible for the action, it is a subject. For example, in the sentence “What he said is true,” “what he said” is the object.
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