Clue 1: A noun clause contains a subject and a verb, but it is proceeded by a subordinating conjunction.

Clue 2: The following subordinating conjunctions often start noun clauses: that, how, why, who, whoever, whether, when, which, or where.

example:

Whoever volunteers first will get the prize

How to Identify a Noun Clause

A noun clause is a subordinate clause that functions as a noun in a sentence. You can identify it if:

1. It begins with keywords such as: that, what, whatever, who, whoever, whom, how, why, when, where, if, whether.

2. It functions like a noun, acting as:
   

   • Subject → What you said is true.

   • Direct object → I don’t know why she left.

   • Object of a preposition → I’m thinking about what you mentioned.

3. 
   

4. You can replace it with “it” or “something”:
   Example: I believe that he lied → I believe it ✅

5. It cannot stand alone: it’s a dependent clause and doesn’t form a complete thought on its own.

I think that he is right. → I think that (that).

• Starts with a subordinating conjuntion.

• Acts as a noun.

• Contains a Subject and a Verb.

• Can Be Replaced by a Noun.

How to identify them?

1. Noun clauses, being clauses, will always contain a subject and a verb.

2. They often begin with words like "that," "what," "who," "how," "whether," "when," "where," "why," "whoever," "whatever," or "whomever". 

3. If you can replace the clause with a single noun or pronoun (like "it" or "this") without making the sentence sound awkward, it's likely a noun clause.  

typically begins with words like "that," "what," "who," "how," "whether," or other relative pronouns or subordinating conjunctions.

Noun Clause

1. Look for common introductory words:
   

   • That, what, whatever, who, whom, whoever, whomever, whether, if, how, when, where, why, which

2. 
   Example: What she said was surprising.
   → “What she said” is the noun clause.

3. Check if it functions as a noun:
   Ask: Does this clause act like a subject, object, or complement?
   

   • Subject of the sentence:
     What he decided was final.
     → Acts as the subject.

   • Direct object of a verb:
     She didn’t know that he had left.
     → Acts as the direct object of “know.”

   • Object of a preposition:
     They talked about what happened last night.
     → Object of the preposition “about.”

   • Subject complement:
     The problem is that she’s not ready.
     → Completes the subject “The problem.”

4. 
   

5. Try replacing the clause with a pronoun like it or something:
   

   • If the sentence still makes sense, it’s probably a noun clause.

6. 
   That she won surprised everyone.
   → It surprised everyone.

It functions as a noun: it can be subject or object.

Can be replaced by “something” or “someone”.

Example:

What you said is true. → (Subject).

I know that she left. → (Object)