Noun Clause

Noun Clauses
See The Sentence for definitions of sentence, clause, and dependent clause.
A sentence which contains just one clause is called a simple sentence.

A sentence which contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses is called a complex sentence. (Dependent clauses are also called subordinate clauses.)

There are three basic types of dependent clauses: adjective clauses, adverb clauses, and noun clauses. (Adjective clauses are also called relative clauses.)

This page contains information about noun clauses. Also see Adjective Clauses and Adverb Clauses.


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A. Noun clauses perform the same functions in sentences that nouns do:

A noun clause can be a subject of a verb:


What Billy did shocked his friends.
A noun clause can be an object of a verb:


Billy’s friends didn’t know that he couldn’t swim.
A noun clause can be a subject complement:


Billy’s mistake was that he refused to take lessons.
A noun clause can be an object of a preposition:


Mary is not responsible for what Billy did.
A noun clause (but not a noun) can be an adjective complement:


Everybody is sad that Billy drowned.

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B. You can combine two independent clauses by changing one to a noun clause and using it in one of the ways listed above. The choice of the noun clause marker (see below) depends on the type of clause you are changing to a noun clause:

To change a statement to a noun clause use that:


I know + Billy made a mistake =

I know that Billy made a mistake.
To change a yes/no question to a noun clause, use if or whether:


George wonders + Does Fred know how to cook? =

George wonders if Fred knows how to cook.
To change a wh-question to a noun clause, use the wh-word:


I don’t know + Where is George? =

I don’t know where George is.
C. The subordinators in noun clauses are called noun clause markers. Here is a list of the noun clause markers:


that

if, whether

Wh-words: how, what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why

Wh-ever words: however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, whomever

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D. Except for that, noun clause markers cannot be omitted. Only that can be omitted, but it can be omitted only if it is not the first word in a sentence:

correct:


Billy’s friends didn’t know that he couldn’t swim.
correct:


Billy’s friends didn’t know he couldn’t swim.
correct:


Billy’s mistake was that he refused to take lessons.
correct:


Billy’s mistake was he refused to take lessons.
correct:


That Billy jumped off the pier surprised everyone.
not correct:


* Billy jumped off the pier surprised everyone.

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E. Statement word order is always used in a noun clause, even if the main clause is a question:

not correct:


* Do you know what time is it? (Question word order: is it)
correct:


Do you know what time it is? (Statement word order: it is)
not correct:


* Everybody wondered where did Billy go. (Question word order: did Billy go)
correct:


Everybody wondered where Billy went. (Statement word order: Billy went)

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F. Sequence of tenses in sentences containing noun clauses:

When the main verb (the verb in the independent clause) is present, the verb in the noun clause is:


future if its action/state is later

He thinks that the exam next week will be hard.

He thinks that the exam next week is going to be hard.

present if its action/state is at the same time

He thinks that Mary is taking the exam right now.

past if its action/state is earlier

He thinks that George took the exam yesterday.
When the main verb (the verb in the independent clause) is past, the verb in the noun clause is:


was/were going to or would + BASE if its action/state is later

He thought that the exam the following week was going to be hard.

He thought that the exam the following week would be hard.

past if its action/state is at the same time

He thought that Mary was taking the exam then.

past perfect if its action/state is earlier

He thought that George had taken the exam the day before.
If the action/state of the noun clause is still in the future (that is, after the writer has written the sentence), then a future verb can be used even if the main verb is past.


The astronaut said that people will live on other planets someday.
If the action/state of the noun clause continues in the present (that is, at the time the writer is writing the sentence) or if the noun clause expresses a general truth or fact, the simple present tense can be used even if the main verb is past.


We learned that English is not easy.

The boys knew that the sun rises in the east.

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G. Here are some examples of sentences which contain one noun clause (underlined) and one independent clause:

Noun clauses as subjects of verbs:


That George learned how to swim is a miracle.

Whether Fred can get a better job is not certain.

What Mary said confused her parents.

However you learn to spell is OK with me.
Noun clauses as objects of verbs:


We didn’t know that Billy would jump.

We didn’t know Billy would jump.

Can you tell me if Fred is here?

I don’t know where he is.

George eats whatever is on his plate.
Noun clauses as subject complements:


The truth is that Billy was not very smart.

The truth is Billy was not very smart.

The question is whether other boys will try the same thing.

The winner will be whoever runs fastest.
Noun clauses as objects of prepositions:


Billy didn’t listen to what Mary said.

He wants to learn about whatever is interesting.
Noun clauses as adjective complements:


He is happy that he is learning English.

We are all afraid that the final exam will be difficult.


http://faculty.deanza.edu/flemingjohn/stories/storyReader$23

articles

Here are the rules for when to use "A, An or The":

•a = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with consonants
She has a dog.
I work in a factory.

•an = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with vowels (a,e,i,o,u)
Can I have an apple?
She is an English teacher.

•the = definite article (a specific object that both the person speaking and the listener know)
The car over there is fast.
The teacher is very good, isn't he?

•The first time you speak of something use "a or an", the next time you repeat that object use "the".
I live in a house. The house is quite old and has four bedrooms.
I ate in a Chinese restaurant. The restaurant was very good.

•DO NOT use an article with countries, states, counties or provinces, lakes and mountains except when the country is a collection of states such as "The United States".
He lives in Washington near Mount Rainier.
They live in northern British Columbia.

•Use an article with bodies of water, oceans and seas -
My country borders on the Pacific Ocean

•DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about things in general
I like Russian tea.
She likes reading books.

•DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about meals, places, and transport
He has breakfast at home.
I go to university.
He comes to work by taxi.


from:
http://esl.about.com/od/thebasics/a/a_an_the.htm

MODAL

Modal auxiliary verbs are used to moderate the main verb, that is to enhance or restrict the verb to a certain context.
The most common modal auxiliaries in English are:

can

could may

should might

will must

would



Notice the usage of modals in the following sentences:

I pay my taxes. General declaration of fact. Paying taxes is something I normally do.


I can pay my taxes. Expresses ability. I have the means (funds) to pay.


I might pay my taxes. Expresses possibility, but not certainty. Maybe I will pay; maybe I won't.


I will pay my taxes. Expresses future intent. I resolve to do it at some later time.


I should pay my taxes. Expresses mild obligation. It is required, and I expect to comply.


I could pay my taxes. Expresses possibility. If I have nothing else to do with the money, I might pay taxes.


I would pay my taxes. (In this case), expresses reservation. If I had the money (but I don't). . .


I must pay my taxes. Expresses strong obligation. I am required and have to comply.





Modals are followed by only the base form of the verb and are not used alone unless there is a clear connection to a main verb.


He must to finish his homework.
He must finish his homework.

Jack could heard the bell.

Jack could hear the bell.

Penny will going to the movie.

Penny will go to the movie.
WRONG
RIGHT

WRONG

RIGHT

WRONG

RIGHT



There are many ways to make requests in English. The most common involves using the imperative and modals. See the examples below:

Using the Imperative

The imperative is the simple form of the verb. The
subject of an imperative sentence is understood as "you" although it is usually not spoken.


Open the door.
Will you help me?

Pick up your toys.

Please help me.
(You) open the door.
Yes, I will (help you).

(You) pick up your toys.

(You) please help me.




The imperative is often used by persons of authority when speaking to subordinates, e.g. parent to child.

Using Modals

To show respect and politeness, most people use modal
expressions when making requests. For example:

Will you...?
Would you...?

Would you please...?

Could you (please)...?

Could you possibly...?

Would you kindly...?

Would you mind (Ving )...?

Would you be so kind as to...?
Will you open the door for me?
Would you open the door for me?

Would you please open the door (for me)?

Could you (please)...? Could you (please) open the door?

Could you possibly open the door?

Would you kindly open the door?

Would you mind opening the door?

Would you be so kind as to open the door?




Common Problems with Modals

1. Using "to" unnecessarily:

Incorrect
They going to meet us at the theater.

He should to eat his dinner.

I had better to go now.

You must not to use that pencil.
Correct
They are going to meet us at the theater.

He should eat his dinner.

I had better go now.

You must not use that pencil.


2. Using anything but the base form after a modal:
John could heard the bell.
Penny will going to the movie.
John could hear the bell.
Penny will go to the movie.


3. Using double modals:
You should ought to speak English.
She might can help me.
You ought to speak English. /should speak
She might be able to help me.


4. Omitting "be" in certain modal expressions:
They going to meet us at the theater.
Jack supposed to take his medicine.
They are going to meet us at the theater.

Jack is supposed to take his medicine.


5. Using wrong word order in questions:
How I can help you?
Where I should go for the meeting?
How can I help you?
Where should I go for the meeting?



from:
http://www.eslgold.com/grammar/basic_modals.html

reporting verbs

Some basic reporting verbs



Accuse
to accuse someone of doing something
"It was you who stole my purse, Miro, wasn't it?"
He accused Miro of stealing his purse.

Admit
to admit doing something
to admit that...
"OK, it was me. I stole your purse"
Miro admitted stealing his purse.
Miro admitted that he had had stolen his purse.

Advise
to advise someone to do something
"Well, if I were you I'd start saving for my retirement."
He advised me to start saving for my retirement

Agree
to agree that...
"Yes, you're right, it's a terrible book."
She agreed that it was a terrible book.

Announce
to announce that...
"I'm afraid I've got some bad news. The company's closing."
The manager announced that the company was closing.

apologise
to apologise (to someone) for doing something
"I'm sorry I didn't get to the meeting."
He apologised for not going to the meeting.

Ask
to ask someone to do something
"It's very hot in here. Would you mind opening the window?"
She asked him to open the window.

blame
to blame someone for doing something
"We lost the match because you didn't save that penalty."
He blamed the goalkeeper for losing the match.

Complain
to complain about something
"The plumber said he was coming at ten o'clock so I took time off work and waited in all morning...."
She complained about the plumber.

Congratulate
to congratulate someone on doing something
"Well done! I knew you'd pass your driving test this time."
She congratulated him on passing his driving test.

Deny
to deny doing something
to deny that...
"It most certainly wasn't me that left the front door unlocked."
He denied leaving the front door unlocked.
He denied that he had left the front door unlocked.

Explain
to explain why...
to explain that...
"Sorry I'm late. The traffic was bad and then I couldn't find a parking space."
He explained why he was late.
He explained that the traffic was bad.

Forget
to forget to do something
" I haven't got any money. I didn't go to the bank."
He forgot to go to the bank.

Invite
to invite someone to do something
"Would you like to come to our house for lunch on Friday?
He invited them to come to lunch on Friday.

Offer
to offer to do something for someone
"Those boxes must be heavy, Bob. Shall I take one?"
She offered to carry a bag for him.

Promise
to promise to do something
"Yes, honest, I'll be there on time. I won't be late."
He promised not to be late.

Refuse
to refuse to do something
"Well I'm not washing up. I did it last time."
He refused to do the washing-up.

Remind
to remind someone to do something
"Remember you have to go to the school. You forgot yesterday."
She reminded me to go to the school.

suggest
to suggest that someone should do something
to suggest that someone do something
"Why don't you go to the dentist if your tooth hurts?"
She suggested that he should go to the dentist.
She suggested that he went to the dentist.

threaten
to threaten to do something
"If you're late again we'll start without you."
They threatened to start without him.

warn
to warn someone about something
to warn someone (not) to do something
"Don't drive too quickly. The streets are very icy."
He warned him about the ice.
He warned him not to drive too quickly.




http://valenciaenglish.netfirms.com/reporting.htm