Grade+7+Grammar

Noun Clauses Dependent clauses can be used as nouns. These clauses, called **noun clauses,** function as subjects, complements, appositives, direct objects, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions. Although a noun clause is a basic part of the main clause and cannot be eliminated from the sentence, it is still a dependent clause. A noun clause used as a subject generally takes the singular form of the verb. Ex. //That I was surprised// must have been written all over my face. Most noun clauses begin with one of the following introductory words: how, that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, who, whoever, whom, whomever, and why. Like nouns, noun clauses can be used as **subject complements.** Ex. The problem was //that I could not decide on a subject for my report.// Problem is the subject of this sentence. The linking verb was joins the subject to the subject complement, the noun clause //that I could not decide on a subject for my report.// An **appositive** is a word that follows a noun and helps identify it or adds more information about it. An appositive names the same person, place, thing, or idea as the noun it explains. An appositive phrase is an appositive and its modifiers. An appositive that follows a common noun can be restrictive or nonrestrictive, depending on the circumstances. An appositive that directly follows a proper noun is almost always nonrestrictive. In the first example below, the appositive David is nonrestrictive because Car has only one brother. In the second example, the appositive Miguel is restrictive because it is necessary in order to know which of Maria’s brothers in meant. Ex. Carl’s brother, David, is a good trumpet player. (Carl has one brother whose name is David.) Maria’s brother Miguel is an excellent violinist. (Maria has three brothers – Paco, Miguel, and Roberto.) Noun clauses can be used as **appositives.** An appositive follows a noun and renames it or gives more information about it. Ex. In the 1960s the goal that //all Americans have equal rights// became an important one to work for. The italicized noun clause is an appositive. It explains the noun that precedes it, goal. Noun clauses can act as **direct objects**. Ex. We often do not realize //what life was like before certain inventions.// The italicized noun clause is used as a direct object and answers the question what after the verb realize. Noun clauses can function as **objects of prepositions**. Ex. My father taught me about //what I should do to ride my bicycle safely.// The italicized noun clause serves as the object of the preposition about.