A noun clause is a

subordinate clause that

functions as a noun
 A noun clause can be a subject, a
predicate nominative, a direct object,
an indirect object, or an object of a
preposition.

It can come at the beginning, middle,

or end of a sentence.
 Which coat to choose is
Mohammads dilemma. [subject]
The issue is how long should we
wait.
wait [predicate nominative]
Give what you can to this worthy
cause. [direct object]
Please send whoever is interested
this questionnaire. [indirect object]
Please help yourself to whatever
you need.
need [object of preposition]
 How Which
If Who
That Whoever
What Whom
Whatever Whomever
When Whose
Where Why
Whether
 An overuse of noun clauses can make
your writing sound stuffy and stilted.

Original: Whatever the grade may

be is not the issue.
Less formal, less wordy: The grade
is not the issue.
1. You know that youre the fastest runner
on the team.
2. Whoever wins tomorrows race will
compete in the county meet.
3. A better long jumper is what we need
most on this team.
4. Coach Lazdowski certainly knows when
she can get the maximum effort out of
us.
5. What she does with this team is quite
impressive.
1. Why Jimmy didnt try out for the team is
beyond me.
2. Why cant we just make whoever is
qualified part of this team?
3. Only the individual involved can decide
whether he or she will try out for a team.
4. Please give whoever tries out next year
lots of encouragement.
5. Sometimes, the problem is deciding
which of two teams to join.