7.2: Noun Clauses vs. Noun Phrases

Noun Phrase vs. Noun Clause as Subject

NOUN PHRASE AS SUBJECT
A noun or noun phrase commonly functions as the subject of a clause. The noun phrase may include a phrase or two and even a modifying clause (the need that has been increasing, the need that has been identified, the need at the moment.) However, the noun phrase cannot stand as a complete thought or a sentence.
INFORMATION	EMPHASIS
NOUN PHRASE	PREDICATE + COMPLEMENT
The country's need for more people in math and science	is clear to everyone. (be + adjective)
The lack of preparation	concerns us. (verb)
The insufficient number of new scientists	is well-known. (passive or participle)
NOUN CLAUSE AS SUBJECT
That followed by a noun clause can function as the subject of the main clause. Subordinating a clause with that allows us to package information in the subject (or object) position and add comment in the other part of the clause. The subordinator that does not carry meaning but serves as the marker of the subordinated content.
INFORMATION	EMPHASIS
THAT + CLAUSE	PREDICATE + COMPLEMENT
That we need more people in math and science	is clear to everyone.
That we are not prepared for the future	concerns us.
That there are too few new scientists	is well-known.

package (V) – bundle or group together

retire (V) – stop working, usually after age 65

subordinate marker — that marks the clause as subordinate

More commonly, we place "heavier" content at the end of the clause.

Also see: "It" as Subject , "It is" + Adjective + Infinitive, "It" in Cleft Clauses.

¹Noun Clause is a traditional grammar term for an embedded clause that functions as the subject or "object" (predicate complement) of a clause in a similar way that a noun does. However, a clause is a structure; it cannot be Noun. See Function vs. Category.

Noun Clause as Complement

NOUN PHRASE AS COMPLEMENT
Particular verbs require complements which may take the form of a noun or noun phrase. The noun phrase, the "patient" (the person of thing that undergoes the action), is called the object.
MAIN CLAUSE	OBJECT
SUBJECT + PREDICATE	NOUN PHRASE
Astronaut Glenn cited	the country's need for more young people in math and science.
This nation will regret	the lack of preparation.
Educators acknowledge	the insufficient number of students entering fields of math and science.
NOUN CLAUSE AS COMPLEMENT
A verb complement¹ may also take the form of a noun clause. A clause expresses information in a more complex form as it includes a subject, predicate (with tense, number or person) and additional information.
MAIN CLAUSE	VERB COMPLEMENT NOUN CLAUSE
SUBJECT+ PREDICATE	SUBORDINATE + FINITE CLAUSE
Astronaut Glenn pointed out	that the country needs more young people in math and science.
We as a nation will regret	that we are not well-prepared for the future.
Educators acknowledge	that there is an insufficient number of students entering fields of math and science.

complement — a word, phrase or clause required by the subject and predicate to complete their meaning. (He stated the answer. He stated that he knew the answer.)

¹ The term "object" is reserved for a noun phrase (NP). (Huddleston 11 8.3) See section below "Object" vs. "Verb Complement.

Also see Transitive Verbs–Direct Objects.

Properties of an Object vs. a Predicate Complement

AN OBJECT

The following are arguments for reserving the term (a function) object for a noun phrase: (1) the object is positioned after the verb or verb and indirect object, (2) particular verbs allow (license/take) a noun phrase, (3) the meaning of a verb may differ when placed before a noun phrase or a clause.

OBJECT POSITION AFTER THE VERB / VERB + IO

He emailed his answer quickly. He emailed quickly his answer. He emailed his answer to us. He emailed us his answer. (verb + indirect obj.) *He emailed to us his answer.

PARTICULAR VERBS ALLOW A NOUN PHRASE

*He complained his work. (He complained about his work to us.) He thanked us for asking.

VERB MEANING MAY DIFFER BEFORE A NOUN PHRASE

He decided on a color. (determined his preference) He observed the procedure. (watched) He answered the door (opened it) / the phone. (picked it up) / the question. (gave the correct response) He explained his absence. (give reason)

NOUN CLAUSE AS VERB OBJECT

The following are arguments for using the term predicate complement (object) for a clause: (1) the noun clause is positioned after the verb and it complements, (2) particular verbs allow a noun clause, (3) the meaning of a verb may differ when placed before a content clause or a noun phrase.

CLAUSE POSITION AFTER PREDICATE COMPLEMENTS

*He emailed that he had other more urgent things to do quickly. *He emailed quickly that he had other more urgent things to do. *He emailed that he had other more urgent things to do to us. He emailed us that he had other more urgent things to do. He emailed to us that he had other more urgent things to do.

PARTICULAR VERBS ALLOW A THAT + CLAUSE

He complained that he had a lot of work to do. *He thanked that we asked him.

VERB MEANING MAY DIFFER BEFORE A CLAUSE

He decided that we should share the winnings. (settled a dispute) He observed that the procedure was successful. (remarked, stated) He answered that he would come later. (responded, stated) He explained how to disappear. (describe in detail, elaborate)

"There are a considerable number of verbs taking content clause complements that cannot be replaced by either NPs or PPs without a change in the meaning of the verb—verbs such as understand, explain, object,…conclude, contend, observed, reason, reflect, reply, and so on. The dictionary entries for verbs must specify directly whether (and with what sense) they take content clauses as complements… ." (Huddleston et al. 1022)

Noun-Clause Agreement

Clause agreement — singular vs. plural

SINGULAR

A noun clause is singular in agreement with the verb.

That our youth needs education is / was his message.

That politicians tell you what you want to hear is not news.

PLURAL

Two (or more) that-clauses coordinated by and are plural in agreement with the verb.

That our youth needs education and that teachers need training are/ were his messages.

That the politicians tell lies and that people are beginning to believe them are news.

As a noun youth is both a count noun (Some youths were responsible for the graffiti.) and a noncount [collective] noun (Our country's youth needs better education.)

Practice with Noun Clauses

Exercise 4: Noun Clauses as Subjects

Losing Hair

Change the wording to create a noun clause that is the subject of the sentence.

Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.

1. His hair loss is upsetting.
(That he lose his hair / That he is losing his hair ) is upsetting.

2. He feels bad about it, which is normal.
(That he feels bad about it / That feeling bad about it ) is normal.

3. He doesn't need hair to be handsome.
(That needing hair to be handsome / That he needs hair to be handsome ) is untrue.

4. Famous athletes shave their heads, so it is cool.
(That famous athletes shave their heads / That are shaving their heads famous athletes ) makes it cool.

5. Losing hair as we age is common knowledge.
(That we lose hair as we age / That we losing hair as we age ) is well-known.

Exercise 5: Noun Clauses as Complements

Hair Extensions

Rewrite the sentence with a noun clause. Begin with "It is.." 

Edit the sentence(s) in the text box.

6. REWRITE: Some women wear hair extensions. It's not surprising.

Edit 6:

7. REWRITE: Long hair is fashionable. It is the reason.

Edit 7:

8. REWRITE: Hair extensions damage hair. It is unfortunate.

Edit 8:

9. REWRITE: The price of hair extensions is rising. This doesn't surprise me.

Edit 9:

10. REWRITE: Fashion constantly changes. This is certain.

Edit 10:

Grammar-Quizzes › Clauses › Subordinate Clauses › That-Clause

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