A noun clause -- a phrase containing a subject and a verb attached to a complete sentence, such as “Jerry will come if he can” -- functions as a noun. Keywords signal the beginning of a noun clause, helping students quickly identify them. The clause can function as the sentence subject, the object of the sentence or the object of a preposition. Use activities to reinforce the student’s ability to identify noun clauses.

Looking for Key Words
Explain that noun clauses begin with keywords such as that, if, whether, how, when, who, what, which, however, whenever, whoever, whatever and however. Provide students with sample text and have them locate the noun clause and explain its purpose in the sentence, such as sentence subject or object. Ask the students to determine whether the noun clause keyword could be eliminated from the sentence and the sentence reworded without damaging the meaning of the sentence. For example, “He wonders whether his wife wants flowers” doesn’t make sense if “whether” is eliminated, but “I know what the current time it is” can be reduced to “I know the current time.”

Listening for Noun Clauses
Organize students into small groups and have them listen to songs or recorded speeches. Ask them to identify the number of noun clauses in the recorded piece. Identify why the author or composer used a noun clause. For example, in a song, the noun clause might make the song more lyrical or rhyme better. Have groups exchange recordings and compare the number of identified noun clauses. Alternatively, use this activity as a whole class activity.

Combining Sentences
Imbedded questions appear in sentences as noun clauses. Provide pairs of sentences and questions, and have the class combine the paired sentences into one complex sentence. For example, your paired sentences could include, “Jack wants to know” and “When does the meeting start.” One option for your combined sentence includes, “Jack wants to know when the meeting starts.” Another option includes combining other kinds of sentences such as “The dog runs” and “The dog chases any squirrels he sees.” A student combines the paired sentences as “The dog runs if he sees a squirrel.”

Noun Clause Game Activity
Have students play “Truth or Lie” in small groups using noun clauses. Have each student create three or four sentences about their past experiences or preferences for the game. Make two of the sentences true and one a lie. For example, “I love texting my friends,” “I love broccoli” and “I love my dog.” The other students can ask for more information using noun clauses, such as “Is it true that you love broccoli” or “If you have a dog, what is its name?” Students learn to use noun clauses, learn more about each other and enjoy the activity.