English Grammar Drills

Noun Clauses 103
When we hear or read the noun clause what he said, we understand that what is playing the role
of the now missing object of the verb said. In other words, we automatically interpret the whword
as filling a gap in the clause.
Here is a second example, only this time the wh- word is the adverb where:
I know they went where.
Rule 2 requires us to move the wh- word to the beginning of the noun clause:
I know where they went ∅.
When we hear or read the noun clause where they went, we understand that where is playing the
role of a missing adverb at the end of the clause.
Here is an example of a wh-word in each of the four possible roles:
Wh- word as subject
I know who you are.
In this case only, Rule 2 is meaningless or invalid, depending on how you look at it, because the
wh- word is already in the first position of the noun clause.
Wh- word as object of a verb
I know you mean whom. ⇒ I know whom you mean ∅.
Wh- word as object of a preposition
I know you spoke to whom. ⇒ I know whom you spoke to ∅.
In very formal written English, to would move with whom to the beginning of the clause:
I know you spoke to whom. ⇒ I know to whom you spoke ∅.
Wh- word as predicate nominative
I know the outcome was what. ⇒ I know what the outcome was ∅.
Wh- word as adverb of time
I know you left when. ⇒ I know when you left ∅.
Wh- word as adverb of place
I know you went where. ⇒ I know where you went ∅.