Before you can effectively write using the English language, or even analyze how others use writing effectively, you need to be familiar with the basic parts and components of the English language. I know grammar isn’t your favorite subject to study and learn (hey, it isn’t my favorite either), BUT knowing and being able to identify these smaller component of your own language will allow you to write more effectively and assess and improve your own writing as the year progresses.

This week we will be examining how to correctly diagram sentences with noun clauses.

A noun clause is dependent clause that acts as a noun! This means they can be subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions, or predicate nominatives.

Broccoli is fine with me.

Broccoli is a noun as the subject of the sentence.

Whatever you want is fine with me.

Whatever you want is the noun clause, serving as the subject of this sentence.

IMPORTANT – Noun Clauses do not modify anything, making them different from adverb and adjective clauses.

Noun clauses can be introduced with the following words: that, if whether, who, whom, which, what, when, where, how, why, whoever, whenever, whatever, however, whichever, whomever. Be sure to note the italicized words – these are also used for adjective clauses, so pay attention!


Does your mom know where you are going?

First, identify the noun clause. Ask yourself, what role does it play – the subject, direct object, ect?

Then diagram the independent clause.

Next, diagram the noun clause about the role is plays in the sentence (above the subject, or direct object, or indirect object, ect). Then, attach it to the independent cause with a pedestal. 

Now practice with the following sentences.

  1. Where the striped sock has gone is an unsolved mystery.
  2. I wonder how I lost my car keys at the amusement park.
  3. My mom knew where I lost my sock because she found it underneath the dryer.
  4. Now I’m stranded at the park, and I’ll leave with whomever will give me a ride.
  5. Wherever we are going will be wonderful.