We’re used to seeing nouns and noun phrases as subject, like in these sentences:
Dogs are loyal.
A sudden loud noise woke everyone up in the lounge.
But clauses too can occupy subject position. Such clauses – also called subject clauses or clausal subjects – can be finite (noun clause) or non-finite (gerund phrase and infinitive phrase).
1. Finite clause as subject
Although we usually study noun clause as one broad unit, they can be divided into three types:
- That-clause, which are introduced by that
- Wh-interrogative clause, which are introduced by wh-elements (how, when, where, why, who, whom, whose, what, and which)
- Yes–no interrogative clause, which are introduced by if and whether
Of these, noun clauses introduced by that, wh-elements, and whether can function as subject in a sentence. Noun clauses introduced by if can function as subject only if the clause is extraposed (more on this later). With all three types, the clause takes singular verb. Examples:
That he didn’t attend the award function surprised many.
How she managed to stay calm in the crisis is a mystery.
When the meeting will start is still undecided.
Where they will host the event has not been announced.
Why they canceled the event has everyone puzzled.
Who stole the painting remains a mystery.
Whom they will choose as the new manager is anyone’s guess.
Whose proposal will be accepted is a big question.
What caused the accident is being investigated.
Which option they will choose is still under discussion.
Whether he will come to the party is unknown.
1.1. If-clause can be subject only if extraposed
As mentioned earlier, clause introduced by if can be a subject clause only if the clause is extraposed. (If you extrapose a subject, you move it to the end of the main clause and replace it by dummy subject it.)
If he will accept the job offer remains to be seen. [Incorrect]
It remains to be seen if he will accept the job offer. [If-clause extraposed. Subject of the sentence is if he will accept the job offer]
1.2. Other clauses are usually extraposed
Whereas subject if-clauses are mandatorily extraposed, other subject clauses are usually extraposed. They don’t need to be, but they usually are. (We extrapose to follow the principle of end weight, which says that heavy constituents of a sentence such as clause should ideally come at the end.) That’s how it works. So, our first two examples are preferably written as:
It surprised many that he didn’t attend the award function.
It’s a mystery how she managed to stay calm in the crisis.
Note that extraposition doesn’t change the subject. In the first, for example, it still is that he didn’t attend the award function.
You can drop that in extraposed that-clauses in informal writing, but can’t drop other introductory words. So, this too is fine:
It surprised many he didn’t attend the award function. [that-clause is the subject]
1.3. We’re not done with finite clause yet
If you’re an intermediate to advanced learner, you would’ve been exposed to the three types of noun clauses we covered earlier. But if you’re an advanced plus learner, if there is such a term, you would know that there are two more – exclamative clause and nominal relative clause. Since they too function nominally, in common use, they are lumped together with the three we’ve covered so far under one big umbrella of noun clause.
Without going into peculiarities of the two clauses, here are examples of exclamative clause and nominal relative clause as subject of the sentence. Note that they share some introductory words with wh-elements.
Like that-clauses, exclamative clauses as subject are usually extraposed. Examples:
It’s incredible what difference a good night’s sleep can make.
It’s amazing how talented she is at such a young age.
Here are few (not all introductory words have been covered) examples of nominal relative clause. As far as subject-verb agreement is concerned, it can take a plural verb (see first example).
What decisions the committee makes are binding on everyone involved.
Whatever they demand must be fulfilled.
Whoever answers correctly will get a $100 voucher.
Which college you decide to attend is entirely your decision.
Whichever path you follow will lead to success.
Finite clauses as subject finally end. That was a lot. Here is a summary:
| Type of finite nominal clause | Does it function as subject? |
| That-clause | Y |
| Wh-interrogative clause | Y |
| Yes–no interrogative clause (If) | Y* |
| Yes–no interrogative clause (Whether) | Y |
| Exclamative clause | Y |
| Nominal relative clause | Y |
* Only when extraposed
Note: For a finite clause that has multiple introductory words, some introductory words may not lead to natural and idiomatic subject.
In this post, we’re learning clauses in subject position. You can learn clauses in other positions here:
2. Non-finite clause as subject
There are two types of nominal non-finite clauses:
- Nominal to-infinitive clause (also called infinitive phrase)
- Nominal -ing clause (also called gerund phrase)
Both can function as subject in a sentence, of which to-infinitive clause is commonly extraposed like finite clauses. Examples:
To see Grand Canyon is on many people’s bucket list.
To find a good job requires effort and network.
Running every morning has improved my health significantly.
Learning a new language can take a long time.
Besides, we have a variant of nominal to-infinitive clause, derived from finite clauses we covered earlier:
- Infinitive wh-clause derived from wh-interrogative clause
- Infinitive whether-clause derived from yes–no interrogative clause
(Note that that and if can’t introduce a to-infinitive clause.)
They function much like their parental clauses, though with some restrictions. Why, for example, is rarely used in infinitive form. Here are examples of few infinitive wh-clause and infinitive whether-clause as subject:
How to fix the issue was at the top of everyone’s mind.
When to harvest the crops is crucial for a good yield.
Where to get the best deals is something most shoppers want to know.
Who to hire for the job was left to the COO.
What to wear to an event leaves many in dilemma.
Whether to invest in this hot, though risky, share or not was a difficult decision for the team.
Here is a summary of non-finite clause as subject:
| Type of non-finite nominal clause | Does it function as subject? |
| To-infinitive clause | Y |
| Infinitive wh-clause | Y |
| Infinitive whether-clause | Y |
| -ing clause | Y |
Note: For a non-finite clause that has multiple introductory words, some introductory words may not lead to natural and idiomatic subject.
