Noun Clauses

A noun clause can be the subject or object of a clause or phrase.

• You do not know what you are talking about.
• What I really need is a vacation.

A noun clause with question words is just a modified relative clause.

• I like the way that you made this.
• I like how you made this.

Use "what" for things.

• I like the shirt that you are wearing.
• I like what you are wearing.

Use "how" for ways.

• I like the way you did that.
• I like how you did that.

Use "who" for people.

• This is the man that I was telling you about.
• This is who I was telling you about.

Use "why" for reasons.

• I don't understand the reason why you did that.
• I don't understand why you did that.

Use, "where," for places.

The place where I grew up has changed.

Where I grew up has changed.