GUIDE ENGLISH GRAMMAR BOOK

33 NOUN CLAUSES PAGE 342
Compare a noun phrase and noun clause as object.
Phrase: We didn't know the time.
Clause: We didn't know what time it was.
A that-clause relates to a statement.
We would be late. that we would be late
A wh-clause relates to a wh-question.
What time was it? what time it was
A clause with if/whether relates to a yes/no question.
Can we afford it? if/whether we can afford it
In a clause relating to a question we normally use the same word order as in a
statement. • 269(2)
NOT We didn't know what time was it.
In informal English we can often leave out that.
I knew (that) you wouldn't like this colour.
We often use noun clauses in indirect speech. • 263
You said you had the number. Mike asked what the matter was.
We can sometimes use a to-infinitive with a question word or whether. • 125
The problem was how to contact everyone.
262 Patterns with noun clauses
1 The pattern You know that we haven't any money
a
A noun clause can be the object of a verb.
Tim wouldn't say where he was going.
No one believes (that) the project will go ahead.
We regret that you did not find our product satisfactory.
I wonder whether that's a good idea.
NOTE
We can use a wh-clause or if/whether when the noun clause expresses a question or the
answer to a question.
I'll ask when the next train is.
The figures show how much the population has increased.
b
With think and believe, we usually put a negative in the main clause, not in the
noun clause.
I don't think we've got time.
I think we haven't got time is less usual.
With suppose, imagine and expect, we can put the negative in either clause.
I don't suppose you're used to this weather.
I suppose you aren't used to this weather.