A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun within a sentence, containing both a subject and a predicate to perform roles such as a subject, object, or complement.
Noun clause হলো এমন শব্দগুচ্ছ যেখানে একটি subject ও একটি predicate থাকে এবং যা noun হিসেবে বাক্যে তার কার্য সম্পন্ন করে। নিচে বাঁকা হরফে প্রদত্ত শব্দগুচ্ছ লক্ষ কর:
I expect that I shall get a prize. (expect what?)
'that I shall get a prize' শব্দগুচ্ছে একটি subject (I) ও একটি predicate (shall get a predicate / shall get a prize) আছে। কাজেই এটি একটি clause.
এই clause-টি বাক্যে expect ক্রিয়ার object এবং সেহেতু noun হিসেবে কাজ করে। ("কী?" প্রশ্নের উত্তরে একে পাওয়া যায়) এজন্য আমরা একে noun clause বলছি।
What is the Use of the Noun Clause?
Use of the noun clause: Noun clause বাক্যে নানাভাবে ব্যবহৃত হতে পারে, যেমন subject object, object of preposition, appositive এবং complement হিসেবে।
উদাহরণ:
- That he is honest is known to all. (Subject)
- I know that he will come. (Object)
- I am not sure to whom he will go. (Object of preposition)
- The idea that she did it was wrong. (Appositive)
- It seemed that it would rain. (Complement)
How to Identify the That Clause?
That clause: Noun clause প্রায়শ that দিয়ে শুরু হয় এবং এরূপ clause-কে that clause বলে। that-clause যুক্ত বাক্য দ্বারা শুরু হতে দেখা যায়, যেমন:
It is disappointing that Tamal can't come.
লক্ষণীয়, 'it' হচ্ছে এখানে dummy subject (যার কোন অর্থ নেই) এবং 'that Tamal can't come' হলো real subject.
সচরাচর এরূপ বাক্যের গঠন হলো: It + be/seem + adjective + that clause.
It's splendid that you passed your exam.
It's strange that there are no lights on.
কতক adjective-এর ক্ষেত্রে that should ব্যবহৃত হতে দেখা যায়, যেমন:
It is essential that everybody knows/should know what to
একটি বিকল্প গঠন হলো : It + be/seem+ a + noun + that-clause. এক্ষেত্রে, mercy, miracle, nuisance, pity, shame, relief, wonder a noun ব্যবহৃত হতে পারে; a good thing-এর ব্যবহারও পরিলক্ষিত হয়।
It's a great pity (that) they didn't get married.
It's a wonder (that) you weren't killed.
It's a good thing (that) you were insured.
When to Use That-Clause After Certain Adjectives, Participles, and Nouns?
That-clause after certain adjectives/participles: কতিপয় adjectives/ participles-এর পরে that-clause ব্যবহৃত হতে দেখা যায়। এর গঠন হলো:
Subject + be + adjective/past participle + that-clause.
I am delighted that you passed your exam.
নিম্নলিখিত adjective/participle-এর সঙ্গে এই গঠনটি দৃষ্ট হয়:
- (a) adjectives expressing emotion: glad, pleased, relieved, sorry
- (b) adjectives/participles expressing anxiety, condolence etc: afraid, anxious, aware, certain, confident, conscious. convinced; anxious-এর সঙ্গে that ... should হয়:
I'm afraid that I can't come next week.
Are you certain that the sound was loud?
That-clause after certain nouns: কতিপয় noun বিশেষত abstract noun এর পরে that-clause ব্যবহৃত হয়। এদের মধ্যে উল্লেখযোগ্য হলো : allegation, announcement, belief, discovery, fact, fear, guarantee, hope, knowledge, promise, proposal, report, rumour, suggestion এবং suspicion; proposal ও suggestion-এর সঙ্গে that... should ব্যবহৃত হয়
The announcement that a new airport is to be built nearby aroused immediate opposition.
The proposal/suggestion that Sunday should be holiday led to a heated discussion.
A report that the area was dangerous was ignored by the residents.
Verbs Taking That-Clause
Verbs taking that-clause: verb that-clause হয়। এরূপ verb-এর একটি তালিকা নিম্নে প্রদত্ত হলো:
| Verb List (Part 1) | Verb List (Part 2) |
|---|---|
Examples:
They alleged/made out that they had been unjustly dismissed.
He assumes that we agree with him.
I can prove that he did it.
লক্ষনীয় , appear, happen, occur, seem, turn out ইত্যাদির সঙ্গে subject হিসেবে it বসে:
It appears/seems that we have come on the wrong day.
It occurred to me that he might be lying.
It turned out that nobody remembered the address.
that + subject + should গঠনটি agree, arrange, be anxious, beg, command, decide, demand, determine, be determined, order, resolve ও urge-এর পরে (infinitive construction-এর পরিবর্তে), এবং insist suggest-এর পরে (gerund construction-এর পরিবর্তে ব্যবহৃত হয়:
They agreed/decided that a statue should be put up. (=They agreed/decided to put up a statue.)
He urged that the matter should go to arbitration. (=He urged to go to arbitration with the matter.)
He suggested that a reward should be offered. (=He suggested offering a reward.)
How Do Wh-Words Form Noun Clauses?
Wh-word দ্বারা শুরু হওয়া clause-ও noun clause হিসেবে কাজ করতে পারে। এ ধরনের clause-কে আমরা ‘wh’ noun clause বলতে পারি। নিচের বাক্যগুলোতে ব্যবহৃত বাঁকা হরফের clause গুলো লক্ষ করো:
- I forget who told me this.
- I don't know what he will say.
- I wonder when he will pay me back.
- He asked where he was to go.
- I can't think why he left his wife.
- Have you heard how he is getting on?
- Will you say which pen is yours?
- Do you know whose father died yesterday?
Key Takeaways
- A noun clause functions as a noun within a sentence, fulfilling roles like subject, object, or complement.
- That-clauses are a common type of noun clause used after specific verbs, adjectives, participles, and abstract nouns.
- Wh-words can also introduce noun clauses, acting as dependent components providing specific details.
Quick Practice
Try answering these questions in the comments below:
- Identify the noun clause in the sentence: "I know that he will come."
- What role does the clause play in "That he is honest is known to all"?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a noun clause in English grammar?
A noun clause is a dependent clause that contains a subject and a predicate, and it functions as a noun in a sentence.
How do you identify a noun clause?
You can identify a noun clause by checking if the clause answers questions like "What?" or "Whom?" in relation to the main verb, or if it acts as a subject, object, or complement.
What is a that-clause?
A that-clause is a specific type of noun clause that begins with the word "that" and often follows certain verbs, adjectives, or nouns.
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🗣 Writer:
This Article is compiled by Zubayer Islam
Zubayer Islam is a brilliant student of Intermediate (Science) and he is a Grammar Maniac.