SKILL IN TOEFL

SKILL : NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS

           A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun , becausthe noun clause functions as a noun , it can be used in a sentences as a object of a verb (if it followa a verb) or an object of a preposition (if it followa a preposition). Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences.

1.    

             ----------NOUN CLAUSE  AS OBJECT OF VERB

      Ex/:        I dont know why he said such things.

In the example, there are two clauses , i don’t  know and he said such things. These two clauses are joined with the connector why. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions as the object of the verb  don’t know  about.

2.       ----------NOUN CLAUSE  AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

Ex/:        I am thinking about why he said such things

In the example, there are two clauses , I am thinking and  he said such things.  are joined with the connector why.  Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions as the object of the preposition  about.

NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS ·         What, when, where, why, how ·         Whether, if ·         That    S                          V                       NOUN CLAUSE CONECTOR          S              V Sally                explained                            why                                       she         did          it

SKILL NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTOR / SUBJECTS

            In skill noun clauses connectors we saw , can be used to introduce noun clauses, in this skill noun clauses connectors / subject we will see that in some cases a noun clause connector is not just a connector . a noun clause conector can also be the subject of the clause at the same time. Study the clause and connectors in the following sentences.

1.   

      ----------- NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF VERB

Ex/:  I know what happened yesterday

      In the example, there are two clauses , i  know and what happened yesterday. These two clauses are joined by  the connector what . it is important to understand that in this sentence the word what serves two function. It is both the subject of the verb happened and the connector that joins the two clauses.

2.      -------------------  NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

Ex/ : we are thinking about what happened yesterday

        In the example, there are two clauses. In the first clause we is the subject of the thinking. In the second clause what is the subject of happened. What also serves as the connector that joins the two clauses . the noune clause what happened yesterday functions as the object of the preposition about.

The following chart list the noun clause connector/subjects and the sentence pattern used with them.

NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS ·         Who  ·         What ·         Which               S              V                 Noun Clause Connector/Subject                           V                 Al            Told                                       What                                          Happened

EXERCISE

1.       NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS

1.       It is unfortunate                 the meal is not ready yet

a.       That  *

b.      When

c.       Who

d.      What

2.       She told me                 should pick up the childern

A.      What

B.      When *

C.      Who

D.      Where

3.       We could not believe                   he did to us

a.       Who

b.      Where

c.       Why

d.      What *

4.       Do you want to know                         it going to rain tomorrow ?

a.       If *

b.      What

c.       That

d.      why

5.       we never know                           we will get paid or not

a.       who

b.      if

c.       whether  *

d.      when

6.       can you tell me                        was the mail not delivered today ?

a.       why *

b.      when

c.       what

d.      how

7.       the instructure expalined                               was the computer lab located

a.       where*

b.      when

c.       what

d.      if

8.       this evening you can decide                                      do you want to do

a.       when

b.      what *

c.       whose

d.      who

9.       the map showed the party would be held

a.       where *

b.      when

c.       was

d.      if

10.   the manager explained                wante the work done

a.       what

b.      how *

c.       where

d.      when

11.   NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

12.   she saw                        in the box in the closet

a.       what *

b.      when

c.       it

d.      how

13.   i am not sure                      it is the most important course in the program

a.       if

b.      which *

c.       is

d.      if

14.   the teacher heard                           answered the question

a.       what

b.      who *

c.       if

d.      problem

15.   i dont know understand                           it went wrong

a.       what *

b.      when

c.       whose

d.      where

16.   she did not remember              in her class

a.       what

b.      when

c.       whose

d.      who *

17.   no one is sure                did it happen in front of building

a.       where

b.      whose

c.       what *

d.      who

18.   do you know                caused the plants to die

a.       what *

b.      where

c.       when

d.      if

19.   he saw            took the money

a.       where

b.      who *

c.       where

d.      what

20.   the childern knew             the best game to play

a.       what

b.      when

c.       which *

d.      if

21.   i will do             does it needd it need to be done

a.       where

b.      who

c.       if

d.      what *

1.