Noun complement clause VS. Nominal clause.

Question

Please, can somone explain the difference between a noun complement clause and a nominal clause? I am finding it difficult to impossible to tell them apart.Thank you so much

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Different grammar textbooks use different terms, so I can only guess what you are working with here. Maybe you could provide some examples of sentences that contain clauses that are troubling you. In the meantime, I suspect that a 'noun complement clause' is the that clause that follows words like "I said", "I think", "We know", etc., thus:

I said that she was going to be late.
We decided that she was not telling the truth.
Laura claimed that the dog had eaten her homework.

Also, after words like "it is important / possible / necessary":

It is important that we speak softly so as not to wake the children.
It is possible that Lucy will be late.
It's clear that Larry is very smart.

In these contexts, that is called a complementizer.
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As for nominal clauses, they would include the type shown above as well as any other clauses that function like nouns within sentences -- and there are many types. Examples:

What we have to do is tax the rich.
Hunting bear is his favorite pastime.
It is important for him to contact the main desk at once.
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Caution: The definitions in your grammar book may conflict with those I have given.

CJ

Noun complement clause VS. Nominal clause.

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