Bintang D' Twinklestars

Definition:

     A dependent clause that functions as a noun (that is, as a subject, object, or complement) within a sentence. Noun Clause also known as a nominal clause.

     A noun clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb; however, it cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Two common types of noun clause in English are that-clauses and wh-clauses:

      - that-clause: I believe that everything happens for a reason.

      - wh-clause: How do I know what I think, until I see what I say?

Nominal Clauses as Direct Objects

    According to (Martha Kolln and Robert Funk, Understanding English Grammar, 5th ed., Allyn and Bacon, 1998)

     "All sentences, then, are clauses, but not all clauses are sentences. In the following sentences, for example, the direct object slot contains a clause rather than a noun phrase. These are examples of nominal clauses (sometimes called 'noun clauses'):

 - I know that the students studied their assignment.

 - I wonder what is making Tracy so unhappy.

      These nominal clauses are examples of dependent clauses--in contrast to independent clauses, those clauses that function as complete sentences."

Noun-Clause Starters

     According to (C. Edward Good, A Grammar Book for You and I--Oops, Me!. Capital Books, 2002).

      - "We use various words to start noun clauses. . . .

      - "These words include the word "that", which in its role as a noun clause starter is not a relative          pronoun, for it serves no grammatical role in the clause; it just starts the clause.

For example: The committee stated that it would follow the agent's policy.

       Here the noun clause serves the noun role of direct object of the transitive verb stated. But a careful look at the clause reveals that the word that does not serve any role within the clause, other than simply to get it going.

      - "Other noun clause starters do serve grammatical roles within the clause. 

For example: We know who caused all the trouble. 

       Here the noun clause starter is the relative pronoun "who". Notice that inside the noun clause "who" serves as the grammatical subject of the verb caused.