Noun Clauses in English Grammar: Rules, Examples and Exercises for Class 9

English Grammar · CBSE Class IX foundation · 2026–27

Noun Clauses: Meaning, Types, Examples and Practice

A noun clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that performs a function normally performed by a noun. Learn how to recognise noun clauses, distinguish them from relative clauses, and use them accurately in sentences.

In this guide

• What is a noun clause?
• Functions of noun clauses
• Words that introduce noun clauses
• Noun clauses and relative clauses
• Common errors
• Practice questions
• Answer key

1. What is a noun clause?

A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun in a larger sentence. It has a subject and a verb, but it cannot normally stand alone as a complete sentence in that role.

What she said surprised everyone.
The clause What she said acts as the subject of the sentence.

I know that he is honest.
The clause that he is honest acts as the object of know.

The question is whether we have enough time.
The clause acts as a complement after is.

2. What can a noun clause do?

Function	Example	Question to ask
Subject	Why he left remains a mystery.	What remains a mystery?
Object of a verb	She believes that the plan will work.	What does she believe?
Complement	The truth is that we were late.	What is the truth?
Object of a preposition	We talked about what the teacher explained.	What did we talk about?

3. Words that introduce noun clauses

Noun clauses can begin with different words, depending on the meaning of the sentence.

That

I hope that you will succeed.

That introduces a statement. In some object clauses, it may be omitted: I hope you will succeed.

Whether / if

We do not know whether the shop is open.

She asked if I was ready.

These words can introduce an indirect yes/no question. Whether is often preferred after a preposition or before an infinitive.

Question words: who, what, when, where, why, how

Please tell me where you live.

I understand why she was upset.

Important: An indirect question uses statement word order. Say I know where he is, not I know where is he.

4. Noun clauses and relative clauses

A noun clause performs a noun's job. A relative clause describes a noun or pronoun and usually begins with a relative word such as who, which or that.

Sentence	Clause type	Why?
I know what she wants.	Noun clause	It is the object of know.
I know the girl who won the prize.	Relative clause	It describes the girl.
Whoever finishes first will receive a certificate.	Noun clause	The whole clause is the subject.
The book that you lent me is useful.	Relative clause	It describes the book.

5. Common errors

Error 1: Question word order inside a noun clause

Incorrect: I wonder where does she live.

Correct: I wonder where she lives.

Error 2: Confusing noun clauses with relative clauses

In I heard what he said, the clause is a noun clause (the object of heard). In I heard the speech that he gave, the clause that he gave describes the speech.

Error 3: Treating a dependent clause as a complete sentence

That she won the competition. is usually incomplete on its own in formal writing. Write: That she won the competition surprised us.

6. Practice questions

Identify the bold clause or choose the correct option.

1. Identify the noun clause: I believe that he is telling the truth.
2. Complete the sentence: Please tell me ___ you placed the keys. (where / where did)
3. In “What you decide will be accepted”, the clause “What you decide” functions as the: (subject / adjective)
4. Identify the clause type in “The boy who helped me is my neighbour.” (noun clause / relative clause)
5. Complete the sentence: We are not sure ___ the bus has arrived. (whether / that)
6. Identify the noun clause: “She explained why she was absent.”
7. Choose the correct sentence: (a) I know what is he doing. (b) I know what he is doing.
8. In “The problem is that we have no time”, the clause beginning with “that” is a: (noun clause / relative clause)
9. Identify the function of the clause in “Whoever arrives first should open the door.” (subject / object of a preposition)
10. In “The house that stands on the hill is old”, what does “that stands on the hill” do? (describes the house / acts as the object of “old”)

7. Answer key with explanations

Show answers

1. that he is telling the truth — object of believe.
2. where — indirect questions use statement word order: “where you placed”.
3. Subject — the whole clause is what will be accepted.
4. Relative clause — it describes “the boy”.
5. whether — it introduces an indirect yes/no question.
6. why she was absent — object of explained.
7. (b) I know what he is doing. — use statement word order.
8. Noun clause — it completes the meaning of “the problem is”.
9. Subject — the whole clause identifies who should open the door.
10. Describes the house — it is a relative clause.

Quick revision

• A noun clause contains a subject and a verb and functions as a noun.
• It can function as a subject, object, complement or object of a preposition.
• Common introducers include that, whether, if and question words.
• Indirect questions use statement word order.
• A relative clause describes a noun; a noun clause performs a noun's function.

Class IX study tip: underline the whole clause, then ask what job it performs in the sentence. If it describes a noun, check whether it is a relative clause instead.