NOUN CLAUSES
445. Noun clauses are those which are used in place of a noun. They may be used in any way in which a noun may be used, except as a possessive.
1. The noun clause may be used as the subject of the sentence. For example:
- That he is innocent is admitted by all.
The clause, that he is innocent is used as a noun, the subject of the sentence.
2. The noun clause may be used as the object of a verb, thus:
- I admit that I cannot understand your argument.
The clause, that I cannot understand your argument, is in this sentence the object of the verb admit.
3. The noun clause may be used as the predicate complement, thus:
- The fact is that this policy will never win.
The clause, that this policy will never win, is here used in the predicate with the copulative verb is.
4. The noun clause may also be used in apposition, explaining the noun with which it is used, thus:
- The motion, that the question should be reconsidered, was carried.
That the question should be reconsidered, is here a noun clause, used in apposition with the noun motion, and explains the meaning of the noun.
5. The noun clause may also be used as the object of a preposition, thus:
- I now refer to what he claims.
The noun clause, what he claims, is here the object of the preposition, to.