1. A noun clause is a subordinate clause that functions as a noun

2.  A noun clause can be a subject, a predicate nominative, a direct object, an indirect object, or an object of a preposition.  It can come at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.

3.  Which coat to choose  Which coat to choose is Mohammad’s dilemma. [subject] how long should we wait  The issue is how long should we wait. [predicate nominative] what you can  Give what you can to this worthy cause. [direct object] whoever is interested  Please send whoever is interested this questionnaire. [indirect object] whatever you need  Please help yourself to whatever you need. [object of preposition]

4.  How  If  That  What  Whatever  When  Where  Whether  Which  Who  Whoever  Whom  Whomever  Whose  Why

5.  An overuse of noun clauses can make your writing sound stuffy and stilted. Whatever the grade may be is not the issue.  Original: Whatever the grade may be is not the issue. The grade is not the issue.  Less formal, less wordy: The grade is not the issue.

6. 1. You know that you’re the fastest runner on the team. 2. Whoever wins tomorrow’s race will compete in the county meet. 3. A better long jumper is what we need most on this team. 4. Coach Lazdowski certainly knows when she can get the maximum effort out of us. 5. What she does with this team is quite impressive.

7. 1. Why Jimmy didn’t try out for the team is beyond me. 2. Why can’t we just make whoever is qualified part of this team? 3. Only the individual involved can decide whether he or she will try out for a team. 4. Please give whoever tries out next year lots of encouragement. 5. Sometimes, the problem is deciding which of two teams to join.