Noun Clauses

Noun ClauseNoun Clausea subordinate clause that is used

as a nounusually begin with an

introductory wordcontain a subject and a verb

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Noun ClausesNoun ClausesExample: 

◦The burrito gave me heartburn. “gave" is the verb and "burrito" is the subject “heartburn” is the direct object, “me” is the

indirect object

But What About This One?◦What I had for lunch gave me

heartburn. Identify the noun clause

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What I had for breakfast gave me

heartburn.The verb is still "gave," but the

subject is a noun clause: "What I had for breakfast.”

Example:◦The burrito gave me what I had

coming to me. What is the noun clause? What is its function in the sentence?

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Introductory Words Introductory Words

that, which, who, whom, whose, when, where, whenever, what, how, why, whether, whoever, whomever, whichever, wherever

These are on your hand out!

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Careful!Careful!That, which, who, whose, whom, where

and when can be used in adjective clauses as well!◦That, which, who, whose, and whom are also relative pronouns.

◦Where and when are also relative adverbs.

In an adverb clause where and when can also be subordinating conjunctions!

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