Noun, Noun Phrase or Noun Clause as the object of a preposition

D. Noun, Noun Phrase or Noun Clause as the object of

    a preposition-

When a word, a group of words (phrase), or a clause is used in a sentence as the object of a preposition is called noun, noun phrase, or noun clause respectively.

1. He goes to Dhaka.

    In the above sentence, the word ‘Dhaka’ expresses the name

   of a place and is used as the object of the preposition ‘to’.

   So it is a noun.

2. Put the book on the table.

    In the above sentence, the word ‘table’ expresses the name

    of a place and is used as the object of the preposition ‘on’.  

    So it is a noun.

3. The train is about to leave the station.

    In the above sentence, the phrase ‘to leave the station’

    expresses the name of  an event and is used as the object of  

    the preposition ‘about ’.

   So it is a noun phrase specially noun infinitive.

4. That the child was about to fall down from the bed.

    In the above sentence, the phrase ‘to fall down from the bed’

    expresses the name of an event and is used as the object of   

    preposition ‘about ’

.     So it is a noun phrase specially noun infinitive.

5. It was about to occur an accident.

    In the above sentence, the phrase ‘to occur an accident’

    expresses the name of an occurence and is used as the object

    of preposition ‘about ’.

    So it is a noun phrase specially noun infinitive.

6. Native speakers learn their language easily by listening

    and speaking.
    In the above sentence, the phrase ‘listening and speaking’

    expresses the name of an event and is used as the object of

    preposition ‘by ’.

    So it is a noun phrase specially gerund.

7. He is tired of having worked hard.
    In the above sentence, the phrase ‘having worked hard’

    expresses the name of an

    activity and is used as the object of the preposition ‘of ’.

    So it is a noun phrase specially gerund.

8. Always check the oil before starting the car.
    In the above sentence, the phrase ‘starting the car’ expresses

    the name of an activity and is used as the object of

    preposition ‘before ’.  

   So it is a noun phrase specially gerund.

9. I’ve no knowledge of who’s done it.
      In the above sentence, ‘who has done it’, the group of

      words including a finite verb or clause tells us the name of  

      an event and is used as the object of the preposition  ‘of’.  

      So it is a noun clause.

10. Pay careful attention to what I’m going to say.
      In the above sentence, ‘what I’m going to say’, the group of

     words including a finite verb or clause tells us the name of

     an activity and is used as the object of  preposition ‘to’.

     So it is a noun clause.

Explain the followings as above:

 How the noun, noun phrase or noun clause is used in the

 sentences.

13. There is no meaning in what you’re saying.
14. There was no complains except that the day was very hot.
15. We can’t rely on what he’s saying.
16. We can live well by eating a balanced died.
17. There is much truth in what he’s said.

18. There is no truth in what he’s said.

19. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
20. We can learn many things from the nature

       by being curious.
21. It depend on what you want to do for us.
22. The development of our country depends on

      how our people are working.

23. Your success depends on how you’re working.
24. Don’t think about what he’ll say.
25. They painted the house instead of going on holiday.

Exercise:

** Find out the noun, noun clause, or noun phrase in the following sentences and explain how it is used in the sentence.

1. No one knows who he is.
2. I know that he is an architect.  .
3. I know who’s done it.
4. I know what his father’s mane is.
5. Your success depends on how you’re working.
6. Don’t think about what he’ll say.
7. We can’t rely on what he’s saying.
8. We can live well by eating a balanced died.
9. There is much truth in what he’s said.

10. There is no truth in what he’s said.

11. His hope is that he can lead an honest life.

12. Karim’s ambition is that he’ll be a doctor.
13. My expectation was being a teacher.

14. His ambition is making a good result.

15. His aim in life was being a politician.

Answer:

1. Noun clause: who he is.

      And it is used as the object of transitive verb ‘knows’.

2. Noun clause: that he is an architect.

       And it is used as the object of transitive verb ‘know’.

3. Noun clause: who’s done it.

        And it is used as the object of transitive verb ‘know’.

4. Noun clause: what his father’s mane is.

        And it is used as the object of transitive verb ‘know’.

5. Noun clause: how you’re working.

         And it is used as the object of preposition ‘on’.

6. Noun clause: what he’ll say.

         And it is used as the object of preposition’about’. 

7. Noun clause: what he’s saying.

         And it is used as the object of preposition ‘on’.

8. Noun phrase: eating a balanced diet.

          And it is used as the object of preposition ‘by’.

9. Noun clause: what he’s said.

          And it is used as the object of preposition ‘in’.

10. Noun clause: what he’s said.

            And it is used as the object of preposition ‘in’.

11. Noun clause: that he can lead an honest life.

           And it is used as the complement of linking verb ‘is’.

12. Noun clause: that he’ll be a doctor.

           And it is used as the complement of linking verb ‘is’.

13.Noun phrase: being a teacher.

           And it is used as the complement of linking verb ‘was’.

14. Noun phrase: making a good result.

          And it is used as the complement of linking verb ‘is’.

15. Noun phrase: being a politician.

          And it is used as the complement of linking verb ‘was’.