Azar Grammar

Noun Clauses

The Bicycles of Paris

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Noun Clauses
-We have already learned about adverb
clauses. They are clauses which act like
adverbs.
-Noun clauses do the same thing, but they
act as nouns instead.
-You can use a noun clause as the subject
or the object of the main verb in a
sentence.

On a recent trip to Paris, I learned that bicycles were

available for rent everywhere. There were thirty or so bikes

at a high-tech bike station right in front of my hotel. Since there
were no attendants taking care of the bikes at the station, I
wondered how the Velib bikes were paid for. As I looked
down from my window, I could see that people just came
along, inserted a monthly pass or credit card in the meter,
and rode off on their bikes. How all this was organized
was something I was curious about. What I found out was a
weekly Velib pass costs about 7 euros. Riders have to leave a
$150 credit card deposit in case the bike is not returned. I
wondered how many bikes were not returned. Later, I found
out that wasnt isnt very many.

Use a noun clause as the subject or the object of

the main verb in a sentence.
Noun clause - SUBJECT
How this all was organized was something I was
curious about.
Noun clause - OBJECT

I learned that bicycles were available for rent

everywhere.

Do not use question word order in a noun

clause.
Normal question word order

I wondered how were the Velib bikes paid for?

I wondered how the Velib bikes were paid for.

Noun clause word order

Practice 1
Find the noun clause. One sentence does not have a noun
clause.

1. My friend told me that she rented a bike in Paris.

2. That she was willing to ride a bike in the city traffic
impressed me.

3. I wondered how she was able to rent the bike.

4. She told me that it was easy.

5. Where did you go to rent the bike?

6. She told me where she went to rent the bike.

7. I asked her what she paid to rent the bike.

Practice 1
Find the noun clause. One sentence does not have a noun
clause.

1. My friend told me that she rented a bike in Paris.

2. That she was willing to ride a bike in the city traffic
impressed me.

3. I wondered how she was able to rent the bike.

4. She told me that it was easy.

5. Where did you go to rent the bike?

(No noun clause.)

6. She told me where she went to rent the bike.

7. I asked her what she paid to rent the bike.

Noun clauses and adverb clauses compared

**Remember that a noun clause answers questions like

"who(m)?" or "what?"; and an adverb clause answers
questions like "when?", "where?", "why?", "with what
goal/result?", and "under what conditions?

What questions are the clauses in the sentences

below answering?
She told me where she went to rent the bike.

There is Microsoft software wherever there are8

computers.

I asked people at my hotel and found out how to

get access to the bicycles. The first half hour is
free, and 96% of all rides are free of charge because
there are so many bike stations. Riders can choose
when and where to drop off the bikes. One rider
said, I use it everyday. Im retired, so I have a lot
of free time, and I use it to visit Paris. He said
that he changes bikes within the free 30-minute
period, so he never has to pay. All in all, Im
impressed that the Velib bicycle program is going
so well. Its important that cities find ways to cut
down on car traffic and air pollution.
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Use a question word followed by an infinitive to

express either should or can/could.
I found out how I could get access to the bicycles.
I found out how to get access to the bicycles.
Riders can choose when and where they should
drop off the bikes.
Riders can choose when and where to drop off

the bikes.
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Certain verbs and adjectives often come in front

of that-noun clauses.
Verb + that-clause
I think that it is a very good way to cut down on
car traffic and air pollution.

Person + be + adjective + that-clause

Anna is proud that the Velib bicycle program is
going so well.

It + be + adjective + that-clause
It is important that cities find ways to cut down
on car traffic and air pollution.
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Use quotation marks before and after the exact

words of a speaker.
I use it every day. Im
retired, so I have a lot
of free time, and I use
it to visit Paris.

The man said, I use it everyday. Im retired, so I

have a lot of free time, and I use it to visit
Paris.

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Dont use quotation marks in reported speech.

I change bikes within
the free 30 minutes,
so I never have to
pay.

He said that he changes bikes within the free 30minute period, so he never has to pay.
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Practice 2
Complete the sentences with your own words. Use
noun clauses.
1. Anna found out __________________________.

2. Please tell me ___________________________.

3. Tom said _______________________________.
4. Do you know ____________________________?

He was surprised _________________________.

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Interview a partner. Use a that-clause in your

answers

1. What is something that you are sorry about in the

past?
2. What is something about science that amazes you?

3. What is something about school that annoys you?

4. What is something you are proud of?

5. What is something that you are relieved happened?

6. What is something that you are worried about for the
future?
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CREDITS

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