Week 5 - Structure - Skill 9-10 (DS)

SKILL 9: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY
A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun which can be a subject of a sentence, an object of a
verb, or an object of a preposition.
Example:
a. Noun clause as a subject of a sentence
When the passengers must board is important to remember
b. Noun clause as an object of a verb
I know when the passengers must board
c. Noun clause as an object of a preposition
I am concerned about when the passengers must board
In example a, there are two clauses, the passengers must board and it is important to remember. The
connector “when” is placed in the beginning of the first clause and change it into a noun clause which
functions as the subject of the sentence. The word “it” as the subject of the second clause is omitted to
function it as the complement of the sentence.
In example b, there two clauses, I know and the passengers must board. The first clause functions as the
verb of the sentence. The connector “when” is placed between the first and the second clauses to join
them, and exactly before the second clause to change it into a noun clause which functions as the object
of the verb.
In example c, there are two clauses, I am concerned and the passengers must board. They are also joined
by the connector “when” which is placed before the second clause to change it into a noun clause. The
preposition “about” follows the word “concerned” and makes the noun clause function as the object of the
preposition.
The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the structure section of the
TOEFL test.
Example:
…. was changed caused many problems.
a. The schedule
b. There
c. That the schedule
d. Because
Option a. the schedule is incorrect as it is one subject, so it cannot form the first clause into a noun clause.
Option b. there and d. because are also incorrect because they are not subjects. Option c. that the
schedule is the correct answer. The word “that” as the connector changes “the schedule was changed”
into a noun clause which functions as the subject of the sentence, where the word “caused” as the verb
and “many problems” as the object. The complete sentence must be “that the schedule was changed
caused many problems.”
The following figure lists the noun clause connectors and the sentence patterns used with them.
EXERCISE 9. Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once
and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Put boxes around the noun clauses. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct [C] or incorrect [I].
C 1 When the season starts is determined by the weather.
2 Why dinosaurs became extinct is not clear to researchers.
3 Because on two people think exactly alike, there will always be disagreement, but
disagreement should not always be avoided. It can be healthy if handled creatively.
4 Hail is formed when a drop of rain is carried by an updraft to an altitude where the air is
cold enough to freeze it.
5 Why the condition o f the patient deteriorated so rapidly it was not explained.
6 The schedule indicated if the teams would be playing in the final game.
7 He refused to enter a plea could not be determined by the lawyer.
8 He always talked with whomever he pleased and did whatever he wanted.
9 That the professor has not yet decided when the paper is due.
10 Talked about where we should go for dinner.
SKILL 10: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS / SUBJECTS CORRECTLY

In skill 9, we learnt noun clause connectors in its use to introduce noun subject clauses or noun object
clauses. In skill 10, we will find that in some cases, a noun clause connector is not only as a connector, but
also as the subject of the clause at the same time.
Example:
1. Noun clause as subject
Whoever is entering the room must show his identity card
2. Noun clause as object of verb
I cannot understand how is your feeling
3. Noun clause as object of preposition
We are discussing about who will go for the conference.
In the first example, there are two clauses: whoever is the subject of the verb is entering, and the
noun clause whoever is entering the room is the subject of must show. The word whoever serves two
functions in the sentence: it is the subject of the verb coming, and it is the connector that joins the two
clauses.
In the second example, there are two clauses: I cannot understand and how is your feeling. These
two clauses are joined by the connector how. It is important to understand that in the sentence, the word
how serves two functions; it is both the subject of the verb is and the connector that joins two clauses.
In the last example, there are also two clauses: we are discussing and who will go for the
conference. In the first clause, we is the subject of are discussing. In the second clause, who is the subject
of will go. Who also serves as the connector that joins the two clauses. The noun clause who will go for
the conference functions as the object of the preposition about.
The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the structure section
of the TOEFL test.
Example: …. was inside her bag made me laughing.
a. Whom
b. It
c. The fun
d. What
Option a. whom is incorrect as it is used to explain an object. Option b. it and c. the fun are also incorrect
since the cannot serve as the subject for was and made at the same time. They also cannot be as the
connector for the two clauses. The correct answer is d. what because it serves as both the subject of the
verb was and the connector that joins the two clauses together. The noun clause what was inside her bag
is the subject of the verb made. Answer d. what is therefore the best answer.
The followings are the noun clause connectors/subjects and the sentence patterns used with them.
EXERCISE 10. Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once
and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Put boxes around the noun clauses. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
C 1 You may spend your time with whomever is important to you.
2 What was written in the letter angered him beyond belief.
3 It was difficult to distinguish what was on sale and what was merely on display.
4 The employee was unhappy about what was added to his job description.
5 The voters should elect whichever of the candidates seems best to them.
6 You should buy whatever the cheapest and most durable.
7 The game show contestant was able to respond to whatever was asked.
8 Whoever wants to take the desert tour during spring break signing up at the office.
9 The motorist was unable to discover who he had struck his car.
10 You should find out which the best school for your children.

Week 5 - Structure - Skill 9-10 (DS)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Week 5 - Structure - Skill 9-10 (DS)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Week 5 - Structure - Skill 9-10 (DS)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SKILL 9: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY

C 1 When the season starts is determined by the weather.

2 Why dinosaurs became extinct is not clear to researchers.

7 He refused to enter a plea could not be determined by the lawyer.

8 He always talked with whomever he pleased and did whatever he wanted.

10 Talked about where we should go for dinner.

SKILL 10: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS / SUBJECTS CORRECTLY

Example: …. was inside her bag made me laughing.

C 1 You may spend your time with whomever is important to you.

2 What was written in the letter angered him beyond belief.

6 You should buy whatever the cheapest and most durable.

You might also like