Noun clauses worksheet

A noun clause is a kind of subordinate clause. Noun clauses serve the same purpose as nouns. That means they can be the subject or object of verbs.

• I expect that I will win the first prize.

Here the noun clause ‘that I will win the first prize’ acts as the object of the verb ‘expect’.

I expect what? – that I will win the first prize.

• That you should say this is rather strange.

Here the noun clause ‘that you should say this’ acts as the subject of the verb ‘is’.

A noun clause can also act as a complement.

• The main thing is that you are safe.

Here the noun clause ‘that you are safe’ completes the verb and acts as the subject complement.

Exercise

Identify the noun clauses in the following sentences and state what purpose they serve.

1. I often wonder where he is.

2. I hope that he will recognize me.

3. She said that she would not come.

4. Nobody knows where he is.

5. I understand that you are innocent.

6. That she would behave so rudely was rather a shock.

7. I regretted that I was not going to see him again.

8. I admire your belief that you are always right.

9. I insisted that she should see a doctor at once.

10.  I thought that she would be happy.

Answers

1. Noun clause – where he is; object of the verb ‘wonder’.

2. Noun clause – that he will recognize me; object of the verb ‘hope’

3. Noun clause – that she would not come; object of the verb ‘said’

4. Noun clause – where he is; object of the verb ‘knows’

5. Noun clause – that you are innocent; object of the verb understand

6. Noun clause – that she would behave so rudely; subject of the verb was

7. Noun clause – that I was not going to see him again; object of the verb ‘regretted’

8. Noun clause – that you are always right; complement of the object ‘belief’.

9. Noun clause – that she should see a doctor at once; object of the verb ‘insisted’

10.  Noun clause – that she would be happy; object of the verb ‘thought’