III. NOUN (OR SUBSTANTIVE) CLAUSES
385. A subordinate clause that is used as a noun is called a noun (or substantive) clause ([§ 47]).
- {Agreement | To agree | That we should agree} seemed impossible.
- {Victory | To win | That we should win} was out of the question.
- The merchant feared {loss. | to lose. | that he might lose money.}
- I expect {success. | to succeed. | that I shall succeed.}
In each of these groups a noun (agreement, victory, etc.) is replaced (1) by an infinitive, (2) by a noun clause. In the first two examples, the noun clause is the subject; in the last two, it is the object of a verb (feared, expect).
386. Noun clauses may be used in any of the more important constructions of nouns:—(1) as subject, (2) as direct object of a transitive verb, (3) in apposition with a substantive, (4) as a predicate nominative.
- That Milton was spared has often caused surprise. [Subject.]
- Brutus said that Cæsar was a tyrant. [Object of said.]
- Cæsar commanded that the prisoners should be spared. [Object.]
- I wish that you would work harder. [Object.]
- The traveller inquired where he could find the inn. [Object.]
- He asked me what my name was. [Second object of asked.]
- My fear that the bridge might fall proved groundless. [Apposition with fear.]
- One fact is undoubted,—that the state of America has been kept in continual agitation.—Burke. [Apposition with fact.]
- The old saying is that misery loves company. [Predicate nominative.]
387. Noun clauses may be introduced (1) by the subordinate conjunctions that, whether (whether ... or), and if (in the sense of whether); (2) by the interrogative pronouns who, which, what; (3) by the interrogative adverbs where, whence, whither, how, why, when ([§ 196]).
388. Noun clauses are common as objects of verbs (1) of commanding, desiring, etc.; (2) of telling, thinking, etc.; (3) of asking, doubting, etc.
See (1) clauses of purpose ([§ 406]); (2) indirect discourse ([§§ 431–437]); (3) indirect questions ([§ 443]).
Object clauses frequently omit that ([§ 367]).