TOEFL Structure Skill 7: Noun Clause Connectors

TOEFL Structure Skill 7: Noun Clause Connectors

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

In the first 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.

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

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The citizens worry about ____ is doing.

(A) what the government

(B) the government

(C) what

(D) what the government it

In this example, the sentence contains the main subject and verb, the citizens worry, and it also contains an additional verb, is doing. The sentence needs a subject for the verb is doing and a connector to join the two clauses. The best answer is answer (A) because it has the connector what and the subject government. Answer (B) is incorrect because it does not have a connector. Answer (C) is incorrect because it does not have a subject for is doing. Answer (D) is incorrect because it has two subjects for is doing.

The following chart lists common adverb connectors and the sentence patterns used with them. 

EXERCISE 7: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

_____ 1. It is unfortunate that the meal is not ready yet.
_____ 2. She told me when should pick up the children.    

_____ 3. The instructor explained where was the computer lab located.

_____ 4. We could not believe what he did to us.
_____ 5. Do you want to know if it going to rain tomorrow?
_____ 6. We never know whether we will get paid or not.
_____ 7. This evening you can decide what do you want to do.
_____ 8. The manager explained how wanted the work done.
_____ 9. The map showed where the party would be held.
_____ 10. Can you tell me why was the mail not delivered today?

Key

1. C
2. I - missing subject (could be I should pick up)
3. I - unnecessary inversion (should be where the computer lab was located)
4. C 
5. I - missing verb (could be if it is going to rain)
6. C
7. I - unnecessary inversion (should be what you want to do)
8. I - missing subject (could be how she wanted)
9. C
10. I - unnecessary (should be why the mail was inversion not delivered)

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