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Noun clauses are dependent clauses that perform the same functions that regular nouns do: They can be subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions.
subject
What bothers me is his lack of initiative.
direct object
We all need to do whatever we can.
indirect object
The program should provide whoever is unemployed a two-year job.
object of preposition
I'm assigned to work with whoever needs literacy training.
Noun clauses are often introduced by what, that, who, whom, where, how, why, whether (or not), and by the words whatever, whichever (one), wherever, whoever, whomever, however.
What I need is a challenging job.
Do what you have to do.
Whatever you want to do tonight is all right by me.
I know that I'll enjoy National Service.
Be careful! Don't confuse however as a clause introducer with however as a transition word.
However you finance your college education is up to you. (clause introducer)
I want to go to college. However, I don't know how I'm going to finance it. (transition)
Remember the distinction between who and whom, whoever and whomever. Who and whoever are used as subjects, while whom and whomever are used as objects in formal English. Many native speakers don't use whom and whomever.
subject verb
Award the prize to whoever comes through the door first. (Whoever is the subject of the verb comes in the dependent clause.)
object subject verb
Award the prize to whomever you like. (Whomever is the direct object of the verb like.)
Be careful! If you are unsure whether to use whoever or whomever, be aware that the noun clause (like all clauses) must have both a subject and a verb.
subject verb
I'm assigned to work with whoever needs literacy training.
In this sentence, the noun clause whoever needs literacy training is the object of the preposition with. This would seem to require the object form whomever. However, the verb in the noun clause must have a subject, so whoever is the correct choice.
Usage note: Although native speakers often replace whom and whomever with who and whoever in conversation or informal writing, in careful speech and formal writing the use of whom and whomever is recommended.
Appoint whomever you like. (formal)
Appoint whoever you like. (informal)
When a noun clause beginning with that functions as a direct object, the word that may be omitted.
Do you think (that) National Service is for everyone?
Noun clauses are sometimes embedded questions with if or whether (or not).
Do you mind if I record your answers?
Do you know whether or not she has left?
Indirect speech is expressed in noun clauses. Remember to follow the sequence of tenses in changing direct speech to indirect speech.
"Mary, what are you going to be when you grow up?" John asked.
John asked Mary what she was going to be when she grew up.
Note that a noun clause sometimes includes the phrase the fact that.
The fact that I'm helping others fulfills me. (The clause the fact that I'm helping others is the subject of the entire sentence.)
I'm bothered by the fact that I'm not doing anything socially useful. (The clause the fact that I'm not doing anything useful is the object of the preposition by.)
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