7.3.1 Clauses Notes, Quizzes & Revision
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7.3 Grammar in Use β 7.3.1 Clauses (Noun clauses beginning with that and what)
Age: 15 | Subject: English (Kenya) β Focus: grammar only
- Recognise noun clauses that begin with that and what from a given context.
- Use noun clauses beginning with that and what in different contexts.
- Make sentences where noun clauses beginning with that and what are subjects or objects.
- Explain why noun clauses are important for communication.
- Identify noun clauses beginning with that and what, including when they act as subjects.
What is a noun clause?
A noun clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and acts like a noun in a sentence. It can be a subject, object, complement or appositive.
Two common kinds to study: that-clauses and what-clauses
Start with the word that. Usually report information, beliefs, facts or opinions. They often act as objects or complements.
Examples:
- The teacher said that the exam is next Monday.
- I believe that we can finish the project.
(In speech that is sometimes dropped: "She said she would help.")
Start with what. They mean "the thing(s) that..." and can be subjects or objects. They often report content or ask indirectly.
Examples:
- What the coach said surprised the team. (noun clause as subject)
- She knows what the coach said. (noun clause as object)
How to recognise them
- They begin with that or what.
- They contain a subject and a verb (e.g., that the train arrives late).
- They work as nouns β try replacing the clause with a pronoun like it or a noun: if the sentence still makes sense, itβs a noun clause.
- They cannot stand alone as a full sentence (they need the main clause): e.g., "That he left" alone is incomplete.
Common roles (functions) in a sentence
- Object of a verb: I hope that you pass the exam.
- Subject of the sentence: What the principal announced worried the students.
- Subject complement: The truth is that he lied.
- Appositive (renaming a noun): The fact that the road is closed caused a delay.
Examples using Kenyan context
- The headteacher announced that school will close early on Friday.
- What the team achieved at the Nationals cheered the whole county.
- We realised that the bus had broken down near the market.
- I don't know what time the train to Nairobi leaves.
Common mistakes and tips
- Do not confuse a noun clause with a reduced clause or phrase. Noun clauses have a verb inside them.
- Remember: some verbs (say, think, believe, know, hope) often take that-clauses as objects.
- What-clauses usually refer to βthe thing(s) thatβ¦β and can act as complete subjects β so the verb after the clause agrees as usual.
Practice exercises
Exercise 1 β Identify and name the function
- The minister said that the new road will be ready in June. (identify the clause and say its function)
- What Peter did impressed his classmates.
- She believes that she can get a scholarship.
- I cannot remember what I was told.
- The problem is that we arrived late.
Exercise 2 β Combine the sentences into one using a noun clause
- They said: "The match will start at four." β Combine with that.
- Question: "When will the bus come?" β Indirect: I don't know _____ (use what/when clause).
- She told us: "You must finish the work." β Combine with that.
- He asked: "Who will lead the team?" β Use a noun clause starting with what/who.
Exercise 3 β Make subject noun clauses
Turn the underlined information into a subject using what or that, and complete the sentence:
- __________________ surprised everyone. (the team won the match)
- __________________ was very useful. (the government will lower bus fares)
- __________________ mattered most. (we arrived on time)
Answers and brief explanations (click to expand)
- That the new road will be ready in June β noun clause as object of said.
- What Peter did β noun clause used as subject.
- That she can get a scholarship β noun clause as object of believes.
- What I was told β noun clause as object of remember.
- That we arrived late β noun clause as subject complement after is.
- They said that the match would start at four.
- I don't know when the bus will come. (or: I don't know what time the bus will come.)
- She told us that we must finish the work.
- He asked who would lead the team. (or: He asked what person would lead the team.)
- What the team won the match β better: What the team did β actually: What the team achieved surprised everyone. (Use a what-clause: What the team did surprised everyone.)
- That the government will lower bus fares was very useful. (Or better: What the government announced was very useful.)
- That we arrived on time mattered most. (Or: What mattered most was that we arrived on time.)
Classroom activities (pair / group)
- Group A writes 3 facts about school life. Group B turns each fact into a that-clause and uses it as a subject or object in a new sentence.
- Role-play: one student asks questions; the other answers using what-clauses in full sentences (practice indirect reporting).
- Find and underline noun clauses starting with that or what in a short Kenyan newspaper report or school notice.
Why noun clauses matter
Noun clauses let speakers and writers report information, express opinions, and form complex ideas clearly. They allow you to link facts and ideas in one sentence β useful in essays, reports and exams.
- Starts with that or what β look for subject + verb inside.
- Check role: subject, object, complement or appositive.
- Try replacing the whole noun clause with it to test function (object/complement).
Prepared for Kenyan 15-year-old learners β focus on grammar use, recognition and production of noun clauses beginning with that and what.