Basically a complex sentence is composed of more than one sentence. A sentence that exists in the sentence constitutes a clause. A sentence is a set of words which at least has a subject and a predicate, and which has a complete meaning. A noun is a word that names something. Thus, a noun clause is a clause which does the function of a noun or a noun phrase in a complex sentence (Also see COMPLEX SENTENCES WITH ADJECTIVE CLAUSES). A noun phrase is a group of words in which a noun is modified with another word. Besides, a noun phrase, like another phrase, is a set of words which has neither a subject, a predicate nor a complete meaning. Then, the complex sentence, containing a noun clause, not only has a complete meaning, has more than one subject (S), more one predicate (P), and more than one Object (O) if there is any, but also consists of more than one simple sentence. The simple sentence itself is a sentence which has one S, one P, one O if necessary, and which has a complete meaning. The function of a noun clause is the same as that of a noun or a noun phrase (Also see COMPLEX SENTENCES WITH ADVERBIAL CLAUSES).
Compare the following sentences:
- HIS REMARK was quite true.
- WHAT HE SAID was quite true.
Sentence analysis
- HIS REMARK (S) was quite true (P). (simple sentence)
- [WHAT (introductory conjunction) HE (S) SAID (P)] (S) was quite true (P). (complex sentence)
The explanation of the above-mentioned sentence analysis
The words HIS REMARK do not constitute a sentence because the two-words have no S and P, but they only form a noun phrase, in which the possessive adjective HIS modifies the noun REMARK, and they function as an S with the P 'was quite true'. The sentence 'HIS REMARK was quite true', which has one S and one P, is called simple sentence. However, the words WHAT HE SAID, which function as an S with the P 'was quite true', constitute a clause (a sentence in a sentence), in which HE functions as an S of the P SAID, and WHAT HE SAID, which exists in the sentence 'WHAT HE SAID was quite true', is named noun clause because the clause does the function of the noun phrase HIS REMARK. The noun clause WHAT HE SAID functions the same as the noun phrase HIS REMARK, that is to say, as the S of the P 'was quite true'. The sentence 'WHAT HE SAID was quite true', containing the noun clause WHAT HE SAID, is called complex sentence. The word WHAT in the complex sentence is an introductory conjunction.
Below are the introductory conjunctions used in noun clauses:
The words HIS REMARK do not constitute a sentence because the two-words have no S and P, but they only form a noun phrase, in which the possessive adjective HIS modifies the noun REMARK, and they function as an S with the P 'was quite true'. The sentence 'HIS REMARK was quite true', which has one S and one P, is called simple sentence. However, the words WHAT HE SAID, which function as an S with the P 'was quite true', constitute a clause (a sentence in a sentence), in which HE functions as an S of the P SAID, and WHAT HE SAID, which exists in the sentence 'WHAT HE SAID was quite true', is named noun clause because the clause does the function of the noun phrase HIS REMARK. The noun clause WHAT HE SAID functions the same as the noun phrase HIS REMARK, that is to say, as the S of the P 'was quite true'. The sentence 'WHAT HE SAID was quite true', containing the noun clause WHAT HE SAID, is called complex sentence. The word WHAT in the complex sentence is an introductory conjunction.
Below are the introductory conjunctions used in noun clauses:
- Wh-question words
- How-question word
- That
- If / whether
Compare each pair of the following sentences:
- I know YOUR NAME.
- I know WHAT YOUR NAME IS.
The sentence analysis of the above-mentioned, two-sentences is as follows:
- I (S) know (P) YOUR NAME (O). (simple sentence)
- I (S) know (P) [WHAT (introductory conjunction) YOUR NAME (S) IS (P)] (O). (The complex sentence, containing the noun clause WHAT YOUR NAME IS with the introductory conjunction WHAT, functions as the O of the P 'know' in the noun clause.
- He will give THE WINNER a prize.
- He will give WHOEVER WINS a prize.
The sentence analysis of the above-mentioned two-sentences is as follows:
- He (S) will give (P) THE WINNER (indirect object) (IO) a prize (direct object) (DO). (= He will give a prize to THE WINNER) (simple sentence)
- He (S) will give (P) [WHOEVER (introductory conjunction and / or S) WINS (P)] (IO) a prize (DO). [= He (S) will give (P) a prize (DO) to [WHOEVER (introductory conjumction and / or S) WINS (P)] (IO / prepositional object)]. (The complex sentence, containing the noun clause WHOEVER WINS with WHOEVER as an introductory conjunction and / or as the S of the P WIN, functions as an IO or as a prepositional object in the noun clause).
- Predicting THE POSSIBLE HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE is necessary.
- Predicting WHATEVER MAY HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE is necessary.
The sentence analysis of the above-mentioned two-sentences is as follows:
- Predicting THE POSSIBLE HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE (S) is necessary (P). (simple sentence)
- Predicting (gerund) [WHATEVER (introductory conjunction and / or S) MAY HAPPEN (P) IN THE FUTURE (adjunct)] (S) is necessary (P). (The complex sentence, containing the noun clause WHATEVER MAY HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, functions as the O of the gerund 'Predicting', preceding WHATEVER as an introductory conjunction and / or as the S of the P MAY HAPPEN with the adjunct IN THE FUTURE in the noun clause).
The Function of a Noun Clause
As an S
- WHETHER THEY GET THE MONEY OR NOT doesn’t concern me.
- THAT THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THE BUSINESS is quite obvious.
As an O
- We hope THAT YOU COULD SUCCEED IN YOUR BUSINESS.
- The manager determines WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TOWARD THE GOAL.
As an IO
- We shall give these books to WHOEVER NEED THEM LATER.
As a DO
- He told us HOW THE PLAN SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT.
- I asked him WHY HE WISHED TO WORK AT THE COMPANY.
- She informed me WHEN THE MEETING WOULD BE HELD.
As the O of a to-infinitive
- He wanted to know WHY THEY COULD NOT COPE WITH (SOLVE) THE PROBLEMS THEMSELVES.
- I would like to know IF THERE IS A VACANCY FOR A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER.
- She asked me to read WHAT SHE HAD WRITTEN.
As the O of a Gerund
- Predicting WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR BUSINESS is necessary.
- We are interested in reading WHAT HE HAS WRITTEN.
As the O of a Present Participle
- Not knowing HOW HE SHOULD HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM, he asked me for advice.
As the O of a Preposition and / or as a Prepositional Object
- We are interested in WHAT HE HAS WRITTEN.
- They could understand only few of WHAT HE EXPLAINED THEN.
- Most of WHAT HE DID was considered satisfactory.
As a Subjective Complement
- This is WHAT HE THINKS.
- The question is WHICH METHOD WE HAVE TO USE.
- The problem is HOW WE SHOULD CARRY OUT THE PLANS.
As an Apposition
- The fact THAT THE COMPANY IS ALMOST BANKRUPT is not generally known.
- We cannot conceal the fact THAT HE DISLIKES HIS EMPLOYER.
- One problem, THAT HE IS COMPETENT, will be hard to deal with.
As an O in a Subjunctive
- I suggest(ed) (THAT) HE SHOULD NOT GIVE THE REPORT. (British English) (Br. E)
- I suggest(ed) (THAT) HE NOT GIVE THE REPORT. (American English) (Am. E)
- I recommended(ed) (THAT) YOU SHOULD BE THERE IN PERSON. (Br. E)
- I recommended(ed) (THAT) YOU BE THERE IN PERSON. (Am. E)
- I propose(d) (THAT) SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. (Br. E)
- I propose(d) (THAT) SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. (Am. E)
- I demand(ed) / want(ed) (THAT) THE MEETING SHOULD BE BROUGHT FORWARD. (Br. E)
- I demand(ed) / want(ed) (THAT) THE MEETING BE BROUGHT FORWARD. (Am. E)
- I insist(ed) / urge(d) (THAT) SHE SHOULD SPEAK TO THEM. (Br. E)
- I insist(ed) / urge(d) (THAT) SHE SPEAK TO THEM. (Am. E)
The noun clause after the Word it
- It is important THAT EACH STUDENT SHOULD FILL OUT A REGISTRATION FORM. (Br. E)
- It is important THAT EACH STUDENT FILL OUT A REGISTRATION FORM. (Am. E)
- It is vital THAT WE SHOULD NOT PERMIT OUR COMPETITOR TO KNOW OUR PLANS. (Br. E)
- It is vital THAT WE NOT PERMIT OUR COMPETITOR TO KNOW OUR PLANS. (Am. E)
- It is desirable THAT JOHN SHOULD ATTEND THE CONFERENCE. (Br. E)
- It is desirable THAT JOHN ATTEND THE CONFERENCE. (Am. E)
- It is imperative / necessary / urgent / essential / advisable THAT I SHOULD BE PUNCTUAL. (Br. E)
- It is imperative / necessary / urgent / essential / advisable THAT I BE PUNCTUAL. (Am. E)COMPLEX SENTENCES WITH NOUN CLAUSES