Chapter 12 Noun Clauses The Bicycles of Paris

On a recent trip to Paris, I learned that bicycles were available for rent everywhere. There were thirty or so bikes at a high-tech bike station right in front of my hotel. Since there were no attendants taking care of the bikes at the station, I wondered how the Velib bikes were paid for. As I looked down from my window, I could see that people just came along, inserted a monthly pass or credit card in the meter, and rode off on their bikes. How all this was organized was something I was curious about. What I found out was a weekly Velib pass costs about 7 euros. Riders have to leave a $150 credit card deposit in case the bike is not returned. I wondered how many bikes were not returned. Later, I found out that wasn’t isn’t very many.

Use a noun clause as the subject or the object of the main verb in a sentence. Noun clause - SUBJECT How this all was organized was something I was curious about. Noun clause - OBJECT I learned that bicycles were available for rent everywhere.

Do not use question word order in a noun clause. Normal question word order I wondered. How were the Velib bikes paid for? I wondered how the Velib bikes were paid for. Noun clause word order

Practice 1. Find the noun clause Practice 1 Find the noun clause. One sentence does not have a noun clause. 1. My friend told me that she rented a bike in Paris. 2. That she was willing to ride a bike in the city traffic impressed me. 3. I wondered how she was able to rent the bike. 4. She told me that it was easy. 5. Where did you go to rent the bike? 6. She told me where she went to rent the bike. 7. I asked her what she paid to rent the bike. (No noun clause.)

I asked people at my hotel and found out how to get access to the bicycles. The first half hour is free, and 96% of all rides are free of charge because there are so many bike stations. Riders can choose when and where to drop off the bikes. One rider said, “I use it everyday. I’m retired, so I have a lot of free time, and I use it to visit Paris.” He said that he changes bikes within the free 30-minute period, so he never has to pay. All in all, I’m impressed that the Velib bicycle program is going so well. It’s important that cities find ways to cut down on car traffic and air pollution.

Use a question word followed by an infinitive to express either should or can/could. I found out how I could get access to the bicycles. I found out how to get access to the bicycles. Riders can choose when and where they should drop off the bikes. Riders can choose when and where to drop off the bikes.

Certain verbs and adjectives often come in front of that-noun clauses. Verb + that-clause I think that it is a very good way to cut down on car traffic and air pollution. Person + be + adjective + that-clause Anna is proud that the Velib bicycle program is going so well. It + be + adjective + that-clause It is important that cities find ways to cut down on car traffic and air pollution.

Use quotation marks before and after the exact words of a speaker. I use it every day. I’m retired, so I have a lot of free time, and I use it to visit Paris. The man said, “I use it everyday. I’m retired, so I have a lot of free time, and I use it to visit Paris.”

Don’t use quotation marks in reported speech. I change bikes within the free 30 minutes, so I never have to pay. Note: Usually, the verb in reported speech changes to the past if the main verb is past tense, but in this sentence the man is reporting something that happens every day. He said that he changes bikes within the free 30-minute period, so he never has to pay.

Practice 2 Complete the sentences with your own words. Use noun clauses. 1. Anna found out __________________________. 2. Please tell me ___________________________. 3. Tom said _______________________________. 4. Do you know ____________________________? He was surprised _________________________.

Interview a partner. Use a that-clause in your answers What is something that you are sorry about in the past? What is something about science that amazes you? What is something about school that annoys you? What is something you are proud of? What is something that you are relieved happened? What is something that you are worried about for the future?

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