Noun clauses

Rules

• Rule 1: Question word + subject + verb

  When a question goes inside a sentence, question word order disappears: question word + subject + verb. No *do / does / did*; a question mark appears only if the main sentence is a question.

  Pattern: … + where / what / why / how + subject + verb

  Example: Do you know where the bakery is?

  Example: I wonder what he wants.

• Rule 2: whether / if

  Yes/no questions go inside with whether or if. But only whether works after a preposition (about whether), before *to* (whether to go), in whether or not, and as a subject at the start.

  Pattern: … + whether / if + subject + verb

  Example: I'm not sure if the store is open.

  Example: We talked about whether to buy a tent.

• Rule 3: that and the fact that

  We use that to turn a complete clause into a noun. It can stand at the start as a subject, but It … that is usually preferred. After a preposition, *that* can't stand alone; use the fact that.

  Pattern: It is clear that … / despite the fact that …

  Example: It is amazing that cats can see in the dark.

  Example: Despite the fact that it was cold, we swam.

• Rule 4: what and whoever / whatever

  what = “the thing that”. whoever (any person who), whatever (anything that) and whichever (any one that) also form noun clauses. When a noun clause is the subject, the verb is singular: *What they want is … / Whether we go depends on …*

  Pattern: What + clause with a gap / Whoever + verb …

  Example: What I want is a quiet weekend.

  Example: Whoever finds the key gets a prize.

Common mistakes

• Do you know where is the library? → Do you know where the library is?

  Inside a sentence, a question uses subject + verb.

• Despite that it rained, we played. → Despite the fact that it rained, we played.

  After a preposition, use the fact that.

• I'm not sure if or not I can go. → I'm not sure whether or not I can go.

  Right before *or not*, only whether.