Noun+Clauses

Noun clauses perform the same function in sentences that nouns do. ﻿ ﻿ They can be the subject (__What Billy did__ shocked his friends), the object of a verb (Billy’s friends didn’t know __that he couldn’t swim__.) , the subject complement (Billy’s mistake was __that he refused to take lessons__.), the object of the preposition (Mary is not responsible for __what Billy did__.), or an adjective complement (Everybody is sad __that Billy drowned__.)  ﻿ Examples of noun clauses: ﻿Noun clauses as **subjects of verbs**:
 * ﻿ Noun Clauses**

> __That George learned how to swim__ is a miracle. > __Whether Fred can get a better job__ is not certain. > __What Mary said__ confused her parents. > __However you learn to spell__ is OK with me. > Noun clauses as **objects of verbs**: > We didn’t know __that Billy would jump__. > We didn’t know __Billy would jump__. > Can you tell me __if Fred is here__? > I don’t know __where he is__. > George eats __whatever is on his plate__. > Noun clauses as **subject complements**: > The truth is __that Billy was not very smart__. > The truth is __Billy was not very smart__. > The question is __whether other boys will try the same thing__. > The winner will be __whoever runs fastest__. > Noun clauses as **objects of prepositions**: > Billy didn’t listen to __what Mary said__. > He wants to learn about __whatever is interesting__. > Noun clauses as **adjective complements**: > He is happy __that he is learning English__. > We are all afraid __that the final exam will be difficult__.

> = Practice Exercises﻿ = Find the noun clauses in these sentences:

1. I am mad that you left my house so early. 2. That Tyler is a loud person is not a secret. 3. I will give the award to whoever does the best work. 4. Tom ate whatever you gave him. 5. That fat people like cake is a well known fact. 6.To understand a person, one must realize that they are the same as everyone else. 7. I would give up, but to do that would be too easy. 8. Justin Bieber hopes that one day he will hit puberty. 9. Ke$ha is that girl wearing the trash bag. 10. I will not tell you that you look stupid.