Lesson Content
Grammar Focus
Noun Clauses are dependent clauses that act like a noun in a sentence. This means they can be the subject, object, or subject complement of a verb.
What is a Noun Clause?
A noun clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that acts as a single noun. It usually starts with words like that, what, when, where, why, how, if, whether, or who.
Where Do We Use Noun Clauses?
- As the subject of a sentence
• What she said was surprising.
• How he solved the problem impressed everyone. - As the object of a verb
• I don’t know why she left.
• She explained how it works. - As a subject complement (after be, is, was, etc.)
A subject complement gives more information about the subject. In this case, the noun clause explains or defines the subject.
• The truth is that we made a mistake.
• My suggestion is that we leave early.
• The question is whether he will come.
Think of it this way: “The problem is what we’re going to do.” Here, “what we’re going to do” gives more information about “the problem.” That’s a noun clause acting as a subject complement.
🔹 Important Notes:
- In noun clauses, do not invert the subject and verb, even if the clause begins with a question word.
❌ I don’t know where is he.
✔️ I don’t know where he is.
🔹 More Examples:
- She doesn’t understand what’s happening.
- That he apologized surprised everyone.
- Can you explain why it matters?
- The fact is that she forgot her passport.
Noun clauses are powerful tools for expressing opinions, sharing thoughts, and reporting speech. They allow us to speak in more complex and natural ways.
🗣️ Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking
Noun Clauses show up constantly in everyday conversations, especially when:
- Asking or reporting questions
- Sharing opinions or ideas
- Expressing uncertainty or giving explanations
You’ll hear and use noun clauses in many real-life situations:
Reporting questions or confusion:
• “Can you tell me where the restroom is?”
• “I don’t understand why it’s not working.”
Giving reasons or explanations:
• “The reason is that we didn’t get the email.”
• “What I meant was that I needed more time.”
Reacting naturally in conversation:
• “That’s what I was thinking too.”
• “I get what you’re saying.”
Listening tip:
Pay attention to these patterns in speech:
- Native speakers often contract or reduce words:
“I dunno what happened.”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
Being able to recognize and use noun clauses helps you speak with more detail, ask better questions, and understand longer sentences during conversations with both native and fluent non-native speakers.
Let’s Practice
Language Game
Now, practice your language skills with this interactive game.
🗣️ Listening & Speaking Practice Questions
Talk About Ideas, Reasons, and Information
These questions help you practice using noun clauses to explain things, share ideas, and respond to everyday questions. Use patterns like:
🟢 “I think that…”
🟢 “I don’t know why…”
🟢 “Can you explain what…”
🔹 Share your opinion:
What do you think is the best way to learn English?
➤ “I think that watching videos helps a lot.”
🔹 Talk about reasons:
Why do people enjoy music?
➤ “I believe that music helps people relax.”
🔹 Express confusion:
What is something you don’t understand about English class?
➤ “I don’t know why the teacher doesn’t give more examples.”
🔹 React to surprising news:
What surprised you recently?
➤ “What surprised me was that it my parents gave me money unexpectedly!”
🔹 Give advice or suggestions:
What should people do to stay healthy?
➤ “I suggest that people eat more vegetables.”
🔹 Ask for help politely:
Can you explain something you don’t understand in class?
➤ “Can you explain what the teacher meant about the assignment?”
🔹 Tell a personal story:
What’s something someone said that made you happy?
➤ “What my friend said was really kind. She said I was a good listener.”