1. Diagramming: Complex Sentences with Noun Clauses
Miss Johnson

2. Complex Sentences
Complex Sentence: one or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses

3. Noun Clause
Noun Clause: a dependent clause that takes the place of a noun in a sentence
essential to the grammatical integrity of a sentence
embedded within the independent clause
it will contain a subject and verb but is not a complete thought
it takes the place of a noun
you can replace it with the word “it”
began by a limited number of words
interrogatives: who, whoever, whom, whomever, what, whatever, which, whose, when, where, why, how
Expletives: if, that, whether, whether or not
performs the usual function of a noun

4. Diagramming a Noun Clause
diagrammed on a pedestal that goes in the same place where the single word noun would go

5. Diagramming a Noun Clause
Noun Clause as Subject
EX: Whoever rang the doorbell has disappeared.

6. Diagramming a Noun Clause
Noun Clause as Subjective Complement
EX: The question was whether or not we should arrive early.

7. Diagramming a Noun Clause
Noun Clause as Object of the Preposition
EX: I asked for help from whoever could afford a donation.

8. Diagramming a Noun Clause
Noun Clause as Direct Object
EX: We wondered if the train had arrived.

9. Diagramming a Noun Clause
Noun Clause as Indirect Object
You should give whoever buys the painting a certificate of value.

10. Diagramming a Noun Clause
Noun Clause as Objective Complement
EX: Sherry considered the bribe as what was necessary.

11. Diagramming a Noun Clause
Noun Clause as Appositive
EX: Your decision, when you should apply to graduate school, is an important one.