When we studied adjective clauses in Grammar 9-1 and 9-2, we learned that they are clauses functioning as adjectives. In other words, they are clauses that describe nouns.
- The person who I met was my teacher.
- The country that I visited was Thailand.
- We went back to the restaurant where we met.
- Do you remember the time when we all went to the beach?
- I’m going to complain about my neighbour whose dogs are always so noisy.
Clauses can also function as nouns. These are called noun clauses, and we can use them any place that we use a noun. There are three basic types.
- Noun clauses that start with a question word (where, what, how, who, when, or why)
- Japan is where he was born.
- Noun clauses that start with whether or if.
- Do you know if your school has a recycling program?
- Noun clauses that start with that.
- I think that you are right.
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at the first kind.
Noun Clauses with Question Words
These types of noun clauses are mostly used to ask questions or make statements. Here’s how a direct question can become an indirect question or a statement.
Direct question
- Where does Mike live?
Indirect question
- Could you tell me where Mike lives?
Answer or statement
- I don’t know where Mike lives.
Notice the changes.
- The auxiliary verb disappears.
- The structure returns to (subject + verb).
Here are more examples.
Direct question
- When did you start learning English?
- Where can he go?
- Who are you talking to?
Indirect question
- Could I ask you when you started learning English?
- Do you know where he can go?
- Would you mind telling me who you are talking to?
Possible answer with a noun clause
- I can’t remember when I started learning English.
- I’m not sure where he can go.
- No, I wouldn’t mind telling you who I’m talking to.
There are several different ways to form these kinds of questions and statements. Here are a few examples of some of the most common expressions we use.
Indirect questions
- Could/Can you tell me...
- Do you know...
- Could/Can/May I ask you...
- Do you have any idea...
- Would you mind telling me / explaining / letting me know...
- Have you any idea...
- Can you remember...
Statements
- I wonder/was wondering...
- I’m interested to hear...
- I’d like to know...
- I need to find out...
- (Please) Tell me...
- I (don’t) know...
- I’m not sure...
- Let’s ask...
- I forget/forgot...
- I was thinking about...
- I (don’t/didn’t) understand...
- I (can’t/don’t) remember...
- I haven’t got a clue / I don’t have a clue (= I don’t know)...
Who and What = Subject or Object in Noun Clauses?
The relative pronouns who or what can be confusing in noun clauses because they can be both the subject or the object of a clause.
Sometimes, what and who can be the subject of the noun clause.
- I am not certain who is coming tonight.
- Could you tell me what happened?
- Do you know who has a dictionary?
Notice how the relative pronouns (who or what) are in the subject positions of each of the clauses.
Other times, who or what is the object of the noun clause.
- I don't know what we ate.
- She doesn't remember who she asked.
- Could you tell me what this is?
You can tell that these pronouns are objects because the clauses already have subjects (we, he, she, and this).