noun clause

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Hi,I was trying to brush up on my knowledge on noun clauses and have this question.The fact was that he was lying.The insult part was that he smiled afterward.I think I read from some where that a noun clause begins with a question word like 'who', 'what', and others, but apparently begining a clause with the word 'that' is correct, It seems. Can you tell me more about how it can be so?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I was trying to brush up on my knowledge on noun clauses and have this question.

The fact was that he was lying.

The insult part was that he smiled afterward.

I think I read from some where that a noun clause begins with a question word like 'who', 'what', and others, but apparently begining a clause with the word 'that' is correct, It seems. Can you tell me more about how it can be so?

I think it is a bit misleading and perhaps confusing to think of words like 'who/what/which/ . . . ' simply as question words. Afer all, no question may have been asked. In the context of noun clauses, think of such words as introductory conjunctions that introduce a subordinate clause. That way, it's easier to accept the ones like 'if'/whether/that', as well as the more generalized terms like /whoever/whatever/wherever/etc.

Here are a few examples for you to consider.

Noun clause derived from a statement. Rice grows in China. >>> That rice grows in China is a well-known fact. It is a well-known fact that rice grows in China.

Noun clause derived from a request. Plant some rice, please. >>> He requested that I plant some rice.

Best wishes, Clive

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