Noun Clause
Learn how to use the noun clause in English.
Answer the following questions about the interview.
Noun Clause
Point 1: A noun clause with a WH-word is just a simplified adjective clause.
The thing that = what
- I like the clothes that you are wearing
- I live what you are wearing.
Where = the place where
- This is the place where I work.
- This is where I work.
Who = the person that
- This is the person that I was talking about.
- This is who I was talking about.
When = the time when
- Talk about the time when you were young.
- Talk about when you were young.
Why = the reason that
- I don’t know the reason that he does that.
- I don’t know why he does that.
How = the way that
- I like the way that you dress.
- I like how you dress.
Point 2: A noun clause can act as the object of a sentence.
- I like what you are wearing.
- This is who I was talking about.
- I don’t know where you are going with this.
- Please explain why you did this.
Point 3: The noun clause can act as the complement object.
- This is what I know.
- This is where I live.
- More money is what you need.
- That man is who I was talking about.
Point 4: A noun clause can take the shape of the subject.
- What you eat says a lot about your health.
- Where you work depends on your education level.
- Who you know does not matter.
- Why he acts that way is a mystery.
Point 5: A noun clause can go after a preposition.
- From what I know, he should be here.
- It depends on how much money you have.
- Let’s talk about why most people believe in miracles.
- I am tired of how he acts.
About the Teacher
My name is Todd Beuckens and I am an ESL teacher in Thailand. I created this site to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.