NOUN CLAUSES

A noun clause is a dependent clause and cannot stand alone as a sentence.  It must be connected to an independent clause, a main clause. A noun clause has its own subject and verb. It can begin with a question word. It can begin with if or whether. And it can begin with that. 

A. Noun clauses with question words:

The following question words can be used to introduce a noun clause: when, where, why, how, who, whom, what, which, whose. 

Example: 

Answer this question using 'I don't know...'

Where does Maria live?

I don't know -------------.

It is incorrect to say, "I don't know where does she live."

Notice that "does she live" is a question form.  Noun clauses cannot be in question form; it has to be a statement.

"I don't know where she lives" is the correct answer.

Noun clauses with who, what, whose + be:

A noun or pronoun that follows main verb 'be' in a question comes in front of 'be' in a noun clause. 

Example:
--> Who is that boy? I don't know who that boy is.

--> Whose pen is this? I don't know whose pen this is.

A prepositional phrase does not come in front of 'be' in a noun clause. 

Example:
--> Who is in the office? I don't know who is in the office.

--> Whose pen is on the desk? I don't know whose pen is on the desk.

Notice that usual word order is not used when the question word is the subject of the question as in 'who' and 'what'.  In this case, the word order in the noun clause is the same as the word order in question.

Be sure to complete the exercises in the assignments.

B. Noun clauses, which begin with if or whether:

When a yes/no question is changed to a noun clause, if is usually used to introduce the clause.  

Example:
--> Is Maria at home?

               I don't know if Maria is at home.

--> Does this bus go to Los Angeles?

               I don't know if this bus goes to Los Angeles.

--> Did Juan go to Mexico?

               I wonder if Juan went to Mexico.

Frequently, speakers may add 'or not'.  This comes at the end of the noun clause in sentences with 'if' and immediately after 'whether' in sentences with 'whether'.

Example:
--> I don't know if Maria is at home or not. 

--> I don't know whether or not Maria is at home.

Notice that we cannot use 'or not' immediately after 'if'.

C. Noun clauses which begin with that: 

A noun clause can be introduced by the word 'that'.

--> I think that Ms. Weiss is a good teacher.

In the sentence above, 'Ms. Weiss is a good teacher' is a noun clause. It is the object of the verb 'think'.

That clauses are frequently used as the object of verbs which express mental activity. Here are some common verbs followed by 'that clauses'. 

Assume that   believe that  discover that dream that

Guess that    hear that     hope that     know that

Learn that    notice that   predict that  prove that   

Realize that  suppose that  suspect that  think that

Noun Clause Formula

Noun clause used as an object He said something. S + V + O He said that he was sick. Noun clause used as a subject Something is your business. S + V Whatever you do is your business. Someone is still in the cafeteria. S + V Whoever ate my lunch is still in the cafeteria.

What did he say? What is your business? Who is in the cafeteria?

The subordinator may take the "subject" or "object" position in a noun clause.

Note the usage of the following:

Henry loves Mary. (S V O) Mary loves Jim. (S V O) The person who(m) Lee loves is a secret. The person who loves Tim is a secret. Who(m) Henry loves is a secret. Who loves Tim is a secret.

Mary is the "object" of the sentence. Mary is the "subject" of the sentence. Relative clause (subordinator in obj. position) Relative clause (subordinator in subj. position) Noun clause (subordinator in obj. position) Noun clause (subordinator in subj. position)

Subordinators which are used in noun clauses:

(Some of these words are also used in grammar: relative clause and grammar: Wh - Questions)

that what who whoever whatever whether

which where when how why if

how much how many how long how far how often whose

Remember to preserve word order in noun clauses:

I don't know who he is.

Whoever she is is not important.

Whatever is in the box is a mystery.

Can you tell me what he is doing?

She doesn't undestand why he is leaving.

I wonder how much that costs.

Do you know how long it will take?

Exercise

1.  Do you know _____________________?
    A.  where we will be taking the TOEFL test
    B.  where will we be taking the TOEFL test
    C.  where we will taking the TOEFL test
2.  _{______________________} when the others will arrive? 
     A.  Do Steve know
     B.  Do Steve knows
     C.  Does Steve know
3.  ________________ is hire a tutor who can help them with their math skills.
      A.   What they do
      B.   What they should do
      C.   Whatever they should do
 4.  ______________is unimportant to her peers.
      A.  Whether she passes or not
      B.  Whether does she pass or not
      C.  Whether she pass or not

5. Sue Ellen does not know ____________________.
     A.  who the rest of the students are going to come to the movies
     B.  what the rest of the students are going to come to the movies
     C.  if the rest of the students are going to come to the movies
 

Key answer

1.      A.  where we will be taking the TOEFL test
2.      C.  Does Steve know
3.      B.   What they should do
4.      A.  Whether she passes or not
5.      C.  if the rest of the students are going to come to the movies

Sumber :
http://www.testyourenglish.net/english-online/subjects/nouncl1.html
http://www.eslgold.com/grammar/noun_clauses.html