1. Noun clauses

2. A noun clause is a subordinate clause that functions as a noun
A noun clause is a subordinate clause that functions as a noun. Because it functions as a noun, this clause can be a subject, direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, predicate nominative, or appositive.
a) I told him that he had been selected. (The noun clause “that he had been selected” functions as a direct object.) b) Where the candy bar is hidden remains a mystery. (The noun clause “where the candy bar is hidden” functions as the subject of the sentence.) c) Pay attention to what I say. (The noun clause what I say functions as the object of the preposition to.) d) The news that he is alive has been confirmed. (The noun clause that he is alive is in apposition to the noun news.)

3. 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.

4. B. You can combine two independent clauses by changing one to a noun clause and using it in one of the ways listed above. 
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.

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

6. D. Except for that, noun clause markers cannot be omitted
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.
Billy’s friends didn’t know he couldn’t swim.
Billy’s mistake was that he refused to take lessons.
Billy’s mistake was he refused to take lessons.
That Billy jumped off the pier surprised everyone.not
* Billy jumped off the pier surprised everyone.

7. 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)
* Everybody wondered where did Billy go. (Question word order: did Billy go)
Everybody wondered where Billy went. (Statement word order: Billy went)

8. Complete each sentence with a properly formed noun clause:
1. John asked me ________________.   where was his wallet   where his wallet was
2. I couldn't tell him ________________.   where was I   where I was
3. I don't know ________________.   how many children he has   how many chidren does he have
4. ________________ is not important.   How close we are   How close are we
5. ________________ was sad.    What did she say   What she said

9. 6. We are not responsible for ________________
6. We are not responsible for ________________. what our children say what do our children say 7. Is it true __________ about you? what did he say what he said 8. I'm not going to tell you ________________. what should you do what you should do 9. I wonder if ________________ from Germany. is he he is 10. The teacher told us ________________ our finished exams. where we should leave where should we leave