Noun Clauses

A noun clause is an subordinate clause that is used in the same way as a single noun.  For examples,

• He will teach a new lesson. [ "a new lesson" is a noun phrase functioning as object of the verb "teach".]
• He will teach what is important to start a business. [ Instead of using "a new lesson", we use the noun clause "what is important to start a business" which also function as object of the verb "teach".]

Noun clause normally begins with one of these words: that, if, whether, how, what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why, however, whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, and whomever. 

គួរចងចាំៈ Noun clause ជាអនុប្រយោគ ដែលគេប្រើដូចគ្នាទៅនឹងនាម ឬកន្សោមនាមដែរ (មានតួនាទី ជាប្រធាន កម្មបទ...)។ វាចាប់ផ្តើមដោយ clause marker ដូចជា that, if, how, what... ជាដើម។

Functions of noun clause

Like a noun, a noun clause acts as: 

a. Subject 

For example,

• Whoever doesn't perform well will not get much bonus. 
• Which market segments they want to focus is still unknown. 
• What he proposed was good. 

b. Direct object 

For examples,

• We've discovered what pleases the customers.
• She is listing what she needs to buy.
• They tell me how to fix the computer. 

c. Indirect object 

For examples,

• The law agent provides whoever wants to start a business consultations.
• The bank gave whoever opens new account a giveaway.
• He brought whoever has worked for the company new technology.

d. Object of a preposition 

For examples,

• The internet has revolutionized the ways of how people communicate. 
• It offers a lot of advantage to whoever uses it.
• I am thinking of how to include more features into the product.

e. Subjective complement (Predicate nominative) 

For examples,

• The encouragement was what motivated her to try hard.
• That was why I decided to study here. 
• His joke was what made us feel uncomfortable. 

f. Objective complement 

For examples,

• You can call him what you wish. 

g. Appositive 

For examples,

• My plan that I become a business owner may happen one day. 
• We that are older understand life better than children.