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Unit 18
Nominal Clauses
noun clauses & complex sentences
What is a Nominal Clause?
A nominal clause (noun clause) acts like a noun in a sentence — it can be the subject, object, or complement. It usually begins with that, wh- words, or whether/if.
Three Types of Nominal Clause
| Type | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| That-clause | Reporting facts, beliefs, opinions | I believe that she's right. |
| Wh-clause | Expressing unknown/indirect info | I don't know where she lives. |
| Whether/if-clause | Yes/no uncertainty | I wonder whether it's true. |
That-Clauses
Used to report facts, beliefs, or opinions. "That" can often be omitted in informal speech.
| Function | Example |
|---|---|
| Object | I believe (that) he's honest. |
| Subject | That she passed surprised everyone. |
| Complement | The truth is that we were wrong. |
| After adjectives | It's clear that they're upset. |
Wh-Clauses (Indirect Questions)
Use statement word order (subject + verb) — no inversion, no question mark.
| Wh-word | Example |
|---|---|
| what | I don't know what he wants. (NOT what does he want) |
| where | Do you know where she lives? |
| why | I can't understand why he left. |
| how | I wonder how it works. |
| who | She didn't say who called. |
Whether / If Clauses
Used for yes/no uncertainty. Whether is more formal and can come before infinitives and prepositions.
- I don't know whether it's true.
- She asked if you were coming.
- We'll find out whether or not they agreed.
- The question is whether to accept the offer. (before infinitive → whether only)
Whoever, Whatever, The Fact That & Wh- + To
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| whoever / whatever / wherever (= any person / thing / place) | Whoever finishes first wins. · Take whatever you need. |
| Preparatory it + that-clause | It surprised everyone that she resigned. (more natural than "That she resigned surprised everyone") |
| Preposition + the fact that | Despite the fact that it rained, we went out. (not |
| wh-word / whether + to + verb | I don't know what to do. · She asked me how to get there. |
Common Mistakes
I don't know where does she live.
→
I don't know where she lives.
No inversion in nominal clauses — subject + verb order.
She asked me what am I doing.
→
She asked me what I was doing.
Indirect question: no inversion + tense shift.
The problem is what we don't have enough time.
→
The problem is that we don't have enough time.
A complete fact as a complement → that (not what).
I wonder if whether it's true.
→
I wonder whether it's true.
Use either "if" or "whether" — not both.
That she is brilliant it surprises me.
→
That she is brilliant surprises me.
Remove the pronoun "it" when the that-clause is the subject.
Despite that it was late, we continued.
→
Despite the fact that it was late, we continued.
Preposition + the fact that.