#nounclauses

A noun clause functions in a sentence in a similar way to a noun or noun phrase. Noun clauses usually begin with that or a wh-word (e.g. when, where, whether, whatever, how).

That-noun clauses

In informal contexts we often leave out that at the beginning of a that-noun clause.

We usually use the fact that (rather than that): when the noun clause is subject or after a preposition or after verbs such as change, face (up to) and overlook.

We can often use words like argument, assumption, belief, claim, idea, notion and view instead of fact.

Wh-noun clauses

When a wh-noun clause follows certain nouns (e.g. example, problem), we often have to include if before the wh-word.

Some verbs (e.g. advise, teach) must have an object before the wh-word.

Noun clauses beginning how are commonly used after certain verbs (e.g. decide, know).

We can use a wh-noun clause, but not that-noun clause, after a preposition.

We can also use noun clauses beginning with whatever (=anything, or it doesn’t matter what), whoever (the person/group who, or any person/group who) or whatever (=one thing or person from a limited number) to talk about things, people or times that are indefinite or unknown.

Rather than a wh-noun clause, we can often use a noun or pronoun which has a meaning related to the wh-word.

Other words used in this way include the place (rather than where), the time (rather than when), the way (rather than how) and somebody/someone (rather than who).

Whether and if

We can use whether as the wh-word in a noun clause when we talk about possible choices. Whether has a similar meaning to if.

Notice the difference between sentences with whether- and that-noun clauses.

In more formal contexts, particularly in writing, we can use as to with a meaning similar to ‘about’ or ‘concerning’ before a whether-noun clause.

We use whether, not if:

before or not

before a to-infinitive

usually after a preposition, and also after the verbs advise, choose, consider, debate, discuss, enquire, question