TOEFL STRUCTURE : 2SKILL Noun Clause Connectors and Preposition

A.    TOEFL STRUCTURE : NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS

A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun; because the noun clause functions as a noun, it can be used in a sentence as an object of a verb (if it follows a verb) or an object of a preposition (if it follows a preposition). Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences.

A. I don't Know
B. Why did she like facebook

If we combine them:

I don't Know why she like faccebook

In the first example, there are two clauses, I don’t know and she liked facebook . These two clauses are joined with the connector why. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions as the object of the verb don’t know.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test

Example

The citizens worry about ____ is doing.

(A) what the government
(B) the government
(C) what
(D) what the government it

In this example, the sentence contains the main subject and verb, the citizens worry, and it also contains an additional verb, is doing. The sentence needs a subject for the verb is doing and a connector to join the twoclauses. The best answer is answer (A) because it has the connector what and the subject government. Answer (B) is incorrect because it does not have a connector. Answer (C) is incorrect because it does not have a subject for is doing. Answer (D) is incorrect because it has two subjects for is doing.

EXERCISE 1 :

Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1.      It is unfortunate that the meal is not ready yet. (C)
 Analysis: Both clauses are correct because they have subject and verb 

2.      She told me when should pick up the children. (I)
Analyisis: should pick up the children is incorrect. It should be  I should pick up..

3.      The instructor explained where was the computer lab located. (I)
Analysis: Where was the computer lab located is incorrect. It should be where the computer lab was located.

4.      We could not believe what he did to us. (C)
 Analysis: Both clauses are correct.

5.      Do you want to know if it going to rain tomorrow? (I)
Analysis: If it going to rain tomorrow is incorrect. It should be If it is going to rain tomorrow.

6.      We never know whether we will get paid or not. (C)

Analysis: Both clauses are correct

7.      This evening you can decide what do you want to do. (I)
Analysis: Second clause: what do you want to do is incorrect. It should be what you want to do.

8.      The manager explained how wanted the work done. (C)
Analysis: Second clause: how wanted the work done is incorrect. It should be how he wanted work done.

9.      The map showed where the party would be held. (C)
Analysis: Both clauses are correct

10.  Can you tell me why was the mail not delivered today? (I)

Analysis: Second clause: why was the mail not delivered today is incorrect. It should be why the mail was not delivered today.

B.     TOEFL STRUCTURE : NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

In the first example, there are two clauses: I know and what happened yesterday. These two clauses are joined by the connector what. It is important to understand that in this sentence the word what serves two functions. It is both the subject of the verb happened and the connector that joins the two clauses.

In the second example, there are two clauses. In the first clause we is the subject of are thinking. In the second clause what is the subject of happened. What also serves as the connector that joins the two clauses. The noun clause what happened yesterday functions as the object of the preposition about.

The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The company was prepared for ________ happened with the economy.

(A) it
(B) the problem
(C) what
(D) when

EXERCISE B: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1.      The teacher heard who answered the question. (C)
Analysis: Who answered the question is a noun clause connector, and the sentence is correct.

2.      I do not understand it went wrong. (I)
Analysis: it went wrong is a noun clause connector/subject. But, the sentence is incorrect. It should be what went wrong

3.      Of the three movies, I can’t decide which is the best. (C)
Analysis: Which is the best is a noun clause connector/subject. The sentence is correct.

4.      She did not remember who in her class. (I)

Analysis: Who in her class is a noun clause connector, but the sentence is incorrect. It should be Who is in her class.

5.      No one is sure what did it happen in front of the building. (I)
Analysis: What did it happen in front of the building is a nouc clause connector, but the sentence is incorrect. It should be what happened in front of the building.

6.      We found out which was her favorite type of candy. (C)
Analysis: Which was her favorite type of candy is a noun clause connector/subject, and the sentence is correct.

7.      Do you know what caused the plants to die? (C)
Analysis: What caused the plants to die is a noun clause connector/subject and the sentence is correct.

8.      I am not sure which it is the most important course in the program. (I)
Analysis: which it is the most important course in the program is a nou clause connector/subject, but it is incorrect. It should be which is the most important course in the program.

9.      We thought about who would be the best vice president.(C)
Analysis: Who would be the best vice president is a noun clause connector, and the sentence is correct.

10.  She saw what in the box in the closet. (I)
Analysis: What in the box in the closet is a noun clause connector, but it is incorrect.
It should be what is in the box in the closet.