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Teacher cue
B2 · English Grammar

Noun
Clauses

What you choose to wear to work is not important — but everyone knows what is expected of them.

as subject as object
The idea

A clause that acts like a noun

A noun clause has its own subject and verb, but the whole group of words behaves like a single noun.

The it test

What you choose to wear is not important. → It is not important.

Everyone knows what is expected. → Everyone knows it.

Starters

that · what · how

where · who · why · when

Also which and whether. The clause is always singular.

Position 1

As the subject

The clause opens the sentence and takes a singular verb.

Where you have lunch depends on which office you're in.
How well you work with your team determines your success.
That she actually got the job is truly remarkable.

Heavy at the front? Move it: It is remarkable that she got the job.

Position 2

As the object

The clause follows the verb — or a preposition. Here that is optional.

I want you to remember (that) we are all on the same team.
It would be helpful to know which tasks have been completed.
It depends on which office you are working in.

Shorten with an infinitive: He's not sure how to use the photocopier.

The big trap

It looks like a question — it isn't

real question
question order

Where does he live?

What did she want?

noun clause
statement order

I don't know where he lives.

I asked what she wanted.

Inside the clause: subject before verb, and no do / does / did.

⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

I asked what did she want.

Correct: I asked what she wanted.

What they said were completely wrong.

Correct: What they said was completely wrong.

^ Is remarkable that she got the job.

Correct: It is remarkable that she got the job.

I'm not sure if to accept the offer.

Correct: I'm not sure whether to accept the offer.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

Everyone in the office knows (a thing) is expected of them.
He's not at all sure (a manner) to use the photocopier.
(a fact) she actually got the job is truly remarkable.
I asked her (a yes/no choice) she wanted tea or coffee.
(a place) you have lunch depends on the office.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

WhetherA the proposal will succeedB dependC on the budget, whichD has not been approved.

Cdepend → depends

✓ a noun-clause subject is singular

The evidences suggestA thatB the fire beganC in the basement, althoughD the report is unclear.

AThe evidences suggest → The evidence suggests

✓ evidence is uncountable

She asked whatA the committee had decidedB andC when would the results be publishedD.

Dwhen would the results be published → when the results would be published

✓ a noun clause keeps statement order

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

What surprised me most was
Nobody has explained
How you write your emails
I still haven't decided
Speak & write

Your turn

Use a noun clause in every answer.

What matters most to you in a job? (What...)
How do you decide where to go on vacation?
Would you move abroad for work? (whether...)
Tell us something that surprised you recently. (That... / What...)
Recap

Remember this

What it is
a clause doing a noun's job
Word order
statement order · no do / does / did
Agreement
as subject, always singular
that / whether
drop that only as object · whether to, never if to

It starts with a question word — it is not a question.

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