Noun clauses are subordinate or dependent clauses that perform eight main functions in English grammar. Noun clauses may be finite or nonfinite depending on the form of the verb in the clause. The following article defines the two forms and eight functions of noun clauses in the English language.
Noun clauses are subordinate or dependent clauses that are formed by a subordinating conjunction followed by a clause. The subordinating conjunctions that introduce noun clauses are that (which can be omitted in certain cases), if, whether, wh- words, wh-ever words, and sometimes for. Noun clauses may be either finite or nonfinite in form.
Noun clauses perform many of the same functions as nouns and noun phrases. Functions prototypically performed by nouns and noun phrases are called nominal functions. The eight functions of nouns clauses are:
- Subject
- Subject complement
- Direct object
- Object complement
- Indirect object
- Prepositional complement
- Adjective phrase complement
- Noun phrase complement
The following sections discuss the two grammatical forms and eight grammatical functions of noun clauses and include examples to illustrate use.
Finite Noun Clauses
The first grammatical form of noun clauses in English grammar is the finite noun clause. Finite noun clauses contain conjugated verb phrases. Conjugated verb phrases in English show person (first, second, third), number (singular, plural), and tense (present, past). The following italicized clauses are examples of finite noun clauses:
- My favorite musician is whoever sings this song.
- Whatever you decide is fine with me.
- His parents are fuming about how he crashed their new car.
The finite, or conjugated, verbs in the noun clauses are sings (first person singular present), decide (second person singular/plural present), and crashed (third person singular past).
Nonfinite Noun Clauses
The second grammatical form of noun clauses in English grammar is the nonfinite noun clause. Nonfinite noun clauses lack conjugated verbs. Nonfinite verbs in English include base forms (verb), infinitives (to + verb), and present participles (verb-ing). The following italicized clauses are examples of nonfinite noun clauses:
- The teacher wants you to finish your homework.
- My mom listened to me singing the song.
- I demand that the child eat his vegetables.
The nonfinite, or unconjugated, verbs in the noun clauses are to finish (infinitive), singing (present participle), and eat (base). Notice also that the object pronouns function as the subject of the nonfinite noun clause when the verb is an infinitive or present participle.
Noun Clauses as Subjects
Nouns clauses first function as grammatical subjects. Subjects are words, phrases, and clauses that perform the action of or act upon the verb. The following italicized noun clauses are examples of subjects:
- That his daughter stole his car surprises me.
- For you to not finish school now would be foolish.
- What you said made the crowd angry.
Both finite and nonfinite noun clauses can function as subjects.
Noun Clauses as Subject Complements
Nouns clauses secondly function as subject complements. Subject complements are words, phrases, and clauses that follow copular verbs and describe the grammatical subject. The following italicized noun clauses are examples of subject complements:
- The reason you failed the test was that you did not study the eight grammatical forms.
- The thief will be whoever has blue ink on their hands.
- That noise is the dog crying in his crate.
Both finite and nonfinite noun clauses can function as subject complements.
Noun Clauses as Direct Objects
Nouns clauses thirdly function as direct objects. Direct objects are words, phrases, and clauses that follow and receive the action of transitive verbs. The following italicized noun clauses are examples of direct objects:
- Some teachers had been wondering if they chose the right career.
- I would hate for you to get sick.
- Nonfinite noun clauses are when the verb in the clause is not conjugated.
Both finite and nonfinite noun clauses can function as direct objects.