Sentence Complexity and Embedding

Subordinate Noun Clauses

Activity 15.4: Noun Clause Structure

Each sentence below has a subordinate noun clause in it.  Draw a vertical line to separate the noun clause from the main clause.  Then consider what helped you decide where to draw the line.

1. We heard that Lisa won the lottery.
2. We heard whether Lisa won the lottery.
3. We heard if Lisa won the lottery.

4. I asked whether he liked fish.
5. I asked if he liked fish.

6. She doubted that I could lift a Hummer.
7. She doubted whether I could lift a Hummer.
8. She doubted if I could lift a Hummer.

9. That Lisa won the lottery is untrue.

10. Whether he likes fish is unimportant.
11. If he likes fish is unimportant.

12. That I could lift a Hummer surprised everyone.
13. If I could lift a Hummer created great interest.
14. Whether I could lift a Hummer generated a lot of speculation.

15. We talked about whether we should see a movie.
16. We talked about if we should see a movie.

17. That teacher gives grades according to whether she likes a student.
18. That teacher gives grades according to if she likes a student.

Rule:

Answers

Subordinating Conjunctions

Activity 15.4 shows that noun clauses can act as subjects, direct objects, and as objects of propositions.  They also show that noun clauses begin with certain words, that, whether, and if.  These words are all subordinating conjunctions, and they perform the grammatical function of attaching a noun clause to its main clause, or perhaps more accurately, of signaling the beginning of a subordinate noun clause.  Notice that one of the conjunctions that initiate noun clauses is the same as one that can initiate adverb clauses, if.  We have seen if as the conjunction for conditional adverb clauses, and now we see it working in noun clauses, too.  Is there any explanation to account for its use in these two different types of subordinate clauses?

The clearest explanation for the use of if in two situations is that both situations can refer to uncertainty or possibility.  Conditions are, by definition, occasional occurrences, so there is always a level of possibility or uncertainty present.  Use of the word if in noun clauses is limited, too.  It is only used in sentences where the information contained in the noun clauses carries some level of uncertainty or possibility, too.  For example, it is common when the noun clause is a direct object of the main verb ask.  We only ask questions when we are uncertain, so the use of if in this case is normal.

Now try Activity 15.5 to see further details about the subordinating conjunctions in noun clauses.

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