名詞子句基本用法解析
名詞子句是在日常生活中及多益考試中很重要的文法概念，在日常生活中人家問你對一件事情的看法，你可能會用I think (that) …的句型來回答，這就是名詞子句的應用，例如: I think this is a good idea. ( 我覺得這是個好主意) I am happy that you passed the test. (我很高興你通過考試)；又或著你迷路要問路時比較有禮貌的講法會說: Could you tell me where the train station is?(你可以告訴我火車站在哪裡嗎?); 又或著人家邀請你去參加一個宴會但你不確定你能不能去，你可能會說: I don’t know if I can go to the party tomorrow. (我不確定我明天是否能去參加宴會) 以上幾個句子都是應用了名詞子句， 本文將詳細說明名詞子句的定義、名詞子句三大基本句型 : 包含wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句、if /whether引導的名詞子句和 that 引導的名詞子句、名詞子句省略後的不定詞寫法、多益考試很愛考的名詞子句特殊句構，並簡單說明名詞子句和形容詞子句之間的差異，每個概念也將附上練習題，讓您一次精熟名詞子句的重要基本概念並能應用於生活與考試之中。
名詞子句是什麼?
名詞子句是什麼呢? 首先我們先了解「子句」是什麼東西呢? 「子句」 是一組有主詞和有動詞的字群，例如: I am a student. 主詞是I, 動詞是am, 那I am a student. 是一個完整的可以自己獨立存在的句子，又例如: I live in Taipei. I 是主詞 live 是動詞, I live in Taipei 也是一個完整的可以自己獨立存在的句子。但並不是所有的子句都是可以自己獨立存在的，這些不能自己獨立存在的子句，在文法術語上我們稱為 「從屬子句」，從屬子句依據不同詞性大略可分為「名詞子句、形容詞子句及副詞子句。」今天我們的重點是名詞子句，我們先來看個例子:
這兩句話表達的文意是一樣的，the price of this book這組字是個名詞片語，所謂的「片語」是一組不包含主詞動詞的字詞，片語並非是句子，就只是詞組而已。
how much this book costs 這組字是有主詞(this book)有動詞(costs)的字群，也就是子句，那它是具有名詞特性的子句所以稱為名詞子句。
我們再看一個例子:
這兩句話表達的文意也是一樣的，John’s address 這組字是個名詞片語，而where John lives 這組字是有主詞(John)有動詞(lives)的字群，並且具有名詞的特性，所以被稱為名詞子句。名詞子句有三個基本句型: 包含1.wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句2.if /whether引導的名詞子句3.that引導的名詞子句，我們將在下文詳述:
名詞子句三大基本句型
1.wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句
情境: 在一個宴會上，跟別人閒聊時可能會問下面的問題:
Where are you from? 你從哪裡來?Who is that girl? 那女孩是誰?
Where do you live? 你住在哪?
What did she say? 她剛說了什麼?
Who cooked the dish?誰煮這道菜?
What happened? 發生了什麼事?
以上是讀者比較熟悉的直接用wh-疑問詞開頭的資訊問句，當然也可以用比較有禮貌的問法: .你可以告訴我...? Could you tell me….? Do you know…?這種比較客氣委婉的問法 (又稱為間接問句)，當用Could you tell me…?Do you know…?去問問題時，上述問句字詞中的排序就會有所變化，會變成名詞子句的寫法: 注意轉成名詞子句的寫法時，要先寫主詞再寫動詞，在原本的直接問句中如果有助動詞，助動詞會省略，也要注意不同時態的動詞變化:
Where are you from? -> Could you tell me where you are from?
*說明: 當問說你可以告訴我你從哪裡來? 要寫 Could you tell me where you are from? where you are from是一個名詞子句，名詞子句的寫法會先寫主詞you再寫動詞are，而不可以照原本直接問句的字詞順序寫，也就是說不能寫Could you tell me where are you from? 這是錯誤的句子。
Who is that girl->Could you tell me who that girl is?
*說明: 你可以告訴我那女孩是誰? 要寫 Could you tell me who that girl is? who that girl is是一個名詞子句，字詞順序上先寫主詞that girl, 再寫動詞is，不可以寫Could you tell me who is that girl? 這是錯誤的句子 。
Where do you live?-> Could you tell me where you live?
*說明: 你可以告訴我你住在哪裡? 要寫 Could you tell me where you live? where you live是一個名詞子句，字詞順序上先寫主詞you, 再寫動詞live，助動詞do在名詞子句之中就刪掉了不寫 ，不可以寫Could you tell me where do you live?喔， 這是錯誤的句子。
What did she just say?-> Could you tell me what she just said?
*說明: 你可以告訴我她剛說了什麼? 要寫 Could you tell me what she just said? what she just said是一個名詞子句，字詞順序上先寫主詞she, 再寫動詞said，注意這邊助動詞did就不寫，時態因為是過去簡單say要變成said。
疑問詞為主詞的問句:
Who cooked this dish? Do you know who cooked this dish?
What happened? Could you tell me what happened?
*說明: 這兩個問句，wh-的字(what/who) 在原本的直接問句中就是主詞，所以當轉換成名詞子句時，就是與原本直接問句的順序相同，疑問詞為主詞的問句轉換成名詞子句也是遵照先放主詞(who/what)再放動詞的規則(cooked/happened)。
當然，並不是只可以用Could you tell me…?Do you know….? 來帶出名詞子句，名詞子句也可以用敘述句帶出來，例如:
I want to know why Tom didn’t show up for the meeting.
Please tell me what you like to do in your free time.
I don’t know who that boy is.
wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句放在主格的位置:
上述例子名詞子句都是放受格的位置，但名詞子句也可以在主格的位置，例如:
What my teacher said surprised me. 我的老師所說的令我驚訝。
How the pyramids were built remains a mystery. 金字塔是如何建造的仍是個謎。
wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句練習題: 用名詞子句回答問題
1. A: How does he get to work?
B: I don’t know ______________.
2. A: What does your name mean?
B: I don’t know ___________.
3. A: Who wrote that letter?
B: Jessica can tell you _____________.
4. A: Where did Jenny go yesterday?
B: I have no idea. Maybe May can tell you ___________________.
5. A: Whose cell phone is on the sofa?
B: I don’t know. Maybe the host will know _____________.
6. A: When was the first light bulb invented?
B: I don’t know. Do you know ____________________?
7. A: Where are we going to have a picnic?
B: I don’t know ____________________. Ask Lily.
答案:
1. I don’t know how he gets to work.2. I don’t know what my name means.
3. Jessica can tell you who wrote that letter.
4. Maybe May can tell you where Jenny went yesterday.
5. Maybe the host will know whose cell phone is on the sofa.
6. Do you know when the first light bulb was invented?
7. I don’t know where we are going to have a picnic.
2.if /whether引導的名詞子句
情境: 在一個宴會上，跟別人閒聊時可能會問下面的問題:下面這些都是yes/no 問句(所謂的yes/no問句就是你會用yes或no去回答這個問題)
Do you like your name? 你喜歡妳的名字嗎?
Do you live alone? 你自己住嗎?
Are you tired? 你累了嗎?
Can you give me a ride? 你可以載我嗎?
Will Henson come to the party? Henson會來參加宴會嗎?
Did Mr. Huang go to the concert? Mr. Huang有去音樂會嗎?
當yes/no問句轉為名詞子句時，就會用if或whether 來引導出名詞子句，if/whether 都在這邊都是「是否」的意思，whether 會比較常用在寫作之中，而口語中比較常用if，注意緊接在if/whether之後的名詞子句字序也是先寫主詞再寫動詞，在原本的直接問句中如果有助動詞，助動詞會省略，轉換時也要注意不同時態的動詞變化:
Do you like your name?-> Could you tell me if you like your name?
-> Could you tell me whether you like your name?
你可以告訴我你是否喜歡你的名字?
Do you live alone?
-> Could you tell me if you live alone?
-> Could you tell me whether you live alone?
你可以告訴我你是否自己住?
Are you tired?
-> I wonder if you are tired.
-> I wonder whether you are tired.
我想知道你是否累了。
Can you give me a ride?
-> I want to know if you can give me a ride.
-> I want to know whether you can give me a ride.
我想知道你是否可以載我一程。
Will Henson come to the party?
-> Do you know if Henson will come to the party?
-> Do you know whether Henson will come to the party?
你知道Henson是否將會來宴會。
Did Mr. Huang go to the concert?
-> I am not sure if Mr. Huang went to the concert.
-> I am not sure whether Mr. Huang went to the concert.
我不確定是否Mr. Huang有去音樂會。
whether/if 加上or not的用法:
whether/if 也可以搭配or not來寫，寫法如下:
I wonder whether Jenny will come to the party or not.
I wonder whether or not Jenny will come to the party.
I wonder if Jenny will come to the party or not.
*這邊要注意的是雖然if 也可以搭配or not一起寫，但是or not只能放在句末喔! 沒有if or not 連在一起的寫法 ! 也就是說不能寫成 I wonder if or not Jenny will come to the party. 這是錯誤的句子!
if/whether引導的名詞子句練習題: 用名詞子句回答問題
1. A: Is he a student?
B: I don’t know ______________.
2. A: Did Tom work overtime last night?
B: I don’t know ___________.
3. A: Has Mr. Jeff signed the contract?
B: I am not sure. Maybe Jan can tell you _____________.
4. A: Are you going to attend the conference in Paris?
B: I am not sure ___________________.
5. A: Do you have Zoe’s phone number?
B: I don’t know _____________.
6. A: Can you finish the project by next Friday?
B: I don’t know _____________.
7. A: Has the HR manager hired more employees?
B: I don’t know ____________________. Ask Winnie.
答案:
2. I don’t know if/whether Tom worked overtime last night.
3. Maybe Jan can tell you if/whether Mr. Jeff has signed the contract.
4. I’m not sure if/whether I am going to attend the conference in Paris.
5. I don’t know if/whether I have Zoe’s phone number.
6. I don’t know if/whether I can finish the project by next Friday.
7. I don’t know if/ whether the HR manager has hired more employees.
3. that 引導的名詞子句
在日常生活中當我們想表達自己的意見時，很常會用I think that…這樣的句型，例如:
I think that you are a hardworking student. 我覺得你是的用功的學生。
I think that John is an excellent teacher. 我覺得John是個很棒的老師。
在上述兩句話中that 後面引導出的句子(that you are a hardworking student/ that John is an excellent teacher)就是名詞子句，當作是think這個動詞的受詞，那像這樣的句型，在正式寫作之中，that會保留，但在口語之中that通常會被省略掉，也就是說可以寫成: I think you are a hardworking student. (文意等同於 I think that you are a hardworking student.) I think John is an excellent teacher. (文意等同於 I think that John is an excellent teacher.)
以下是that引導的名詞子句的常見句型:
1. 人+動詞+ that名詞子句的句型
I hope that you can come to the party tomorrow.
我希望你明天可以來參加宴會。
Last night, I dreamed that I was reading a strange book in the library.
昨晚我夢到我在圖書館讀一本奇怪的書。
I believe that eating less meat is good for us.
我相信吃少一點的肉對我們是好的。
I know that the world is round.
我知道世界是圓的。
2.人+be+形容詞+ that名詞子句的句型
I'm sorry that you were sick at Christmas. Are you feeling better now?
我很抱歉你在聖誕假期期間生病。你現在有覺得好一點嗎?
I’m happy that you like the gift.
我很開心你喜歡這個禮物。
I’m sure that I left the cell phone on the table. Where is it？
我很確定我把手機放在桌上。手機在哪裡呢？
I'm worried that it might snow tomorrow. If it snows tomorrow, we can’t go hiking.
我擔心明天可能會下雪。如果明天下雪的話，我們就不能去健行。
3.It+be+ 形容詞+ that名詞子句的句型
It is true that the sun rises in the East.
太陽確實是從東邊升起。
Every time Peggy wants to eat out, she goes to a new restaurant. It’s clear that Peggy likes to try new food.
每次Peggy想要外食都會去新餐廳。Peggy喜歡嘗試新食物是顯而易見的事。
Zoe is a smart and hardworking student. It’s strange that she failed her final exam.
Zoe是個聰明並用功的學生。她期末考沒過真是一件奇怪的事。
除了放在受格的位置，that 引導的名詞子句也可以放在主格的位置:
4. that 引導的名詞子句放在主格的位置:
That Peggy likes to try new food is clear.
That the sun rises in the East is a fact.
that 引導的名詞子句放在主格的位置時，that 不能省略。但這樣的句型並不常見，因為這是個頭重腳輕的句子，多數時候我們會寫 以it當作虛主詞並引導出名詞子句的句型: It’s clear that Peggy likes to try new food. It is true that the sun rises in the East.
that引導的名詞子句練習題: 在適當的位置擺入that 以標示名詞子句
1. It’s only 10 in the morning and the cat is hungry. I guess she didn’t eat much at 8 this morning.
2. You’ve been studying hard for a month. I think you’ll pass the test.
3. Professor David was hit by a car last night. I hope he’s ok.
4. I’m afraid I can’t go to your birthday party. I have an important meeting on that day.
5. Everybody trusts Tracy. She is honest and reliable. I believe she didn’t lie.
6. I’m surprised you bought another new phone. Didn’t you just get one last week?
答案:
2. I think that you’ll pass the test.
3. I hope that he’s ok.
4. I’m afraid that I can’t go to your birthday party.
5. I believe that she didn’t lie.
6. I’m surprised that you bought another new phone.
名詞子句省略後的不定詞用法
在了解完名詞子句三大基本句型的用法後，接下來要向大家介紹兩個與名詞子句相關的常見用法，首先是 wh-疑問詞(what, when, where, who, which, how, whose, whether)引導的名詞子句可以省略成不定詞的用法，我們來看一段對話中的例句:
情境: Emily很煩惱到底要待在台灣念書還是出國念書，她尋求朋友的建議:
Emily: I don’t know what I should do. Should I stay in Taiwan or should I go abroad? 我不知道我應該怎麼辦。我倒底應該要待在台灣念書還是出國念書?
May: Well, maybe you could ask more people and give yourself more time to think about it. 恩...或許你可以多問幾個人並給你自己多一點思考時間。
後來Emily 想和她的堂姊Amber 碰面並尋求堂姊的建議，所以打電話跟堂姊約時間見面:
Emily: Hello Amber, I have to make an important decision and I hope you can give me some advice. Could we meet sometime next week? 哈囉Amber, 我必須要做一個重大的決定，我希望你能給我一些建議，下周我們能找個時間碰面嗎?
Amber: Sure, I’d be happy to help you. I’ll be available next Saturday at 3. 當然沒問題，我很樂意幫助你。我下周六下午三點有空。
Emily: Great. Could you please tell me where I should meet you? 太棒了，你可以告訴我應該在哪裡和你碰面嗎?
Amber: We could meet at the coffee shop, “Skyblue.” It’s near the train station. 我們可以在火車站附近的咖啡廳天空藍碰面。
Emily: Okay, but I’ve never been there. Could you please tell me how I can get to the office shop? 好的，但是我從來沒去過那裏，你可以跟我說要怎麼到那裏嗎?
Amber: Sure. When you are at the exit of the train station, turn right. Go straight one block. You’ll see it on your right. 當然，當你在火車站的出口時右轉，直走一個街區，它就在你的右手邊。
Emily: Thanks. See you then. 謝謝，到時候見。
Emily didn’t know what she should do.
Emily didn’t know what to do.
在這個情境中，Emily 不知道她該怎麼做，這句話我們可以用wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句來寫: Emily didn’t know what she should do. 也可以把she should 省略掉，用不定詞的寫法(to接原型動詞)來表達: Emily didn’t know what to do. 兩句話意思是一樣的。
Emily couldn’t decide whether she should stay in Taiwan or go abroad.
Emily couldn’t decide whether to stay in Taiwan or (to) go aboard.
Emily 無法決定她是否應該待在台灣還是出國，可以用名詞子句的寫法 Emily couldn’t decide whether she should stay in Taiwan or go abroad. 也可以把she should省略，用不定詞的寫法(to接原型動詞)來表達Emily couldn’t decide whether to stay in Taiwan or (to) go aboard.
Emily wanted to know where she should meet Amber.
Emily wanted to know where to meet Amber.
Emily 想知道要在哪裡跟Amber碰面，這句話我們可以用名詞子句來寫 Emily wanted to know where she should meet Amber. 也可以把she should 省略掉，用不定詞的寫法來表達: Emily wanted to know where to meet Amber.兩句話意思是一樣的。
Emily wanted to know how she could get to the coffee shop.
Emily wanted to know how to get to the coffee shop.
Emily 想知道如何到達咖啡店，這句話我們可以用名詞子句來寫Emily wanted to know how she could get to the coffee shop. 也可以把she could省略掉用不定詞的寫法來表達: Emily wanted to know how to get to the coffee shop.兩句話意思是一樣的。
也就是說: wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句若具有 should/can/could 句意，則可以省略成不定詞的寫法。
名詞子句省略後的不定詞用法練習題: 將下列粗體的名詞子句改為不定詞的寫法
2. Before you start cooking beef noodles, read this recipe. It tells you when you should put herbs and spices into your noodles.
3. My brother taught me how I could make a video clip.
4. I am at the gift shop because I want to buy a birthday gift for my best friend. There are so many things there. I can’t decide whether I should get her a book or give her a mug.
5. My dog got lost. An animal communicator told us where we could find him.
6. After hearing the story, she didn’t know what she should say.
答案:
2. Before you start cooking beef noodles, read this recipe. It tells you when to put herbs and spices into your noodles.
3. My brother taught me how to make a video clip.
4. I am at the gift shop because I want to buy a birthday gift for my best friend. There are so many things there. I can’t decide whether to get her a book or give her a mug. 5. My dog got lost. An animal communicator told us where to find him.
6. After hearing the story, she didn’t know what to say.
名詞子句特殊句構
另外要跟大家介紹一個名詞子句的特殊句構，我們來看一段對話中:
情境:Lina想要減重，所以尋求Jeffery的建議
Lina: I want to lose weight. 我想要減重。
Jeffery: Then I suggest you do more exercise. Also, don’t eat junk food. 那我建議你多做點運動，還有不要吃垃圾食物。
Lina: Oh, that’s so hard. You know, sometimes I have to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline, and I get hungry and want to get something to eat. I can’t help it. 喔那真的好難喔！你知道的，有時候我必須熬夜工作為了趕上截止日期，然後我就肚子餓想要吃點東西。我就是忍不住！
Jeffery: Well, if you really want to stay healthy, it is important you not stay up late. 恩，如果你真的想要保持健康，不熬夜是很重要的。
在這個語境中: I suggest that you do more exercise. 我建議你要多做點運動。It is important that you not stay up late.你不熬夜這事是很重要的。 這兩句話因為主要子句的動詞有「建議、重要」的語氣後面又接著that引導的名詞子句，名詞子句中的動詞，不管前面的人稱是什麼，必須使用原型動詞來寫，因為這些句子的原句其實是省略should:
I suggest that you (should) do more exercise.
It is important that you (should) not stay up late.
大家一定會覺得很奇怪為什麼that子句中的動詞是寫動詞的原型 ，這是一個特殊的句型：當主要子句的動詞有「提議、主張、要求、命令、重要、緊迫」的語氣並接著that引導的名詞子句，名詞子句中的動詞，不管前面的人稱是什麼，必須使用原型動詞來寫，因為這些句子的原句其實是省略了should:
常見的字詞有:
1.表提議、建議、主張: suggest, recommend, advise, propose, insist
2. 表要求: ask, require, request, demand
3.表命令: order, command
4. 表重要、緊迫: it is essential, it is imperative, it its important, it is critical, it is necessary, it is vital, it is urgent
其他例句:
I insisted that he (should) pay the rent.
我堅持他要付他房租。
Our teacher demands that we (should) submit our homework on time.
我們老師要求我們要準時交作業。
It is necessary that Mr. Lin (should) be informed of this problem.
林先生被告知這個問題是必要的。
當你把should省略時，就是大家看到特殊句型。
名詞子句特殊句構練習題:填入正確的動詞型態
1. My teacher recommended that I (study) ________abroad.
2. The manager insisted that the meeting (postpone) __________ until next week.
3. It is essential that we (turn) ______off the lights when we leave the office.
4. Johnny’s mother demanded that he (watch, not ) ___________TV before finishing his homework.
5. It is critical that endangered animals (protect) ____________.
6. It is important that you (contact)________your marriage counselor and talk about your problem.
7. Our landlord requested that we (keep) ________ the house in good condition.
8. The candidate proposed that a new fitness center (build) ________in this neighborhood.
答案:
1. study 2. be postponed 3. turn 4. not watch
5. be protected 6. contact 7. keep 8. be built
名詞子句常見問題
Q1.名詞子句和間接問句有關聯嗎?
名詞子句和間接問句是有關聯的喔，只是切入點的不同所以有不同的名稱，什麼是間接問句呢? 就是用Could you tell me….? Do you know…? 這種比較客氣委婉的方式去問問題，例如: Could you tell me where you live? 你可以告訴我你住在哪裡? Do you know who she is? 你知道她是誰嗎? 這樣的問法會比直接說Where do you live? Who is she? 來得更有禮貌，在使用間接問句的問法時，原本直接問句中字詞的排序就會有所變化，會變成名詞子句的寫法: 要先寫主詞再寫動詞，在原本的直接問句中如果有助動詞，助動詞會省略，也要注意不同時態的動詞變化。也就是說Could you tell me where you live? 句中的 “where you live”就是名詞子句; Do you know who she is? 句中的 “who she is” 就是名詞子句，而間接問句是指Could you tell me where you live? Do you know who she is? 整個問句下去看。
Q2.名詞子句和形容詞子句有什麼不同?
在序言中我們說過，並不是所有的子句都是可以自己獨立存在的，這些不能自己獨立存在的子句，在文法術語上我們稱為 「從屬子句」，從屬子句依據不同詞性大略可分為「名詞子句、形容詞子句及副詞子句」，名詞子句是具有名詞特性的子句，同樣地形容詞子句就是具有形容詞特性的子句，它的性質是一個形容詞，用來修飾名詞，只是它長像是一個句子的型態而不是一個形容詞的單字。我們簡單看個名詞子句與形容詞子句的例子:
名詞子句:
這兩句話表達的文意也是一樣的，John’s address 這組字是個名詞片語，而where John lives 這組字是有主詞(John)有動詞(lives)的字群，並且是具有名詞的特性所以被稱為名詞子句。
形容詞子句:
->這句話中，拿friendly 這個形容詞修飾後面的名詞teacher.
-> 這句話中，who is friendly to all students 是形容詞的功能，但它是子句的型態，拿來修飾前面的名詞teacher. "who is friendly to all students"這組有主詞有動詞的字群在這邊是形容詞的功能，所以被稱為形容詞子句，形容詞子句會緊跟著要修飾的名詞後面。形容詞子句也是個龐大的概念，將在另一篇文章中說明。
結語
名詞子句是具有名詞特性的子句，子句就是有主詞有動詞的字群，名詞子句三大基本句型包含wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句(Could you tell me where the library is?)、if /whether引導的名詞子句(I don’t know if/whether he is a student.)和 that 引導的名詞子句 (I think (that) Ms. Irene is a good teacher.) 除了基本句型，wh-疑問詞引導的名詞子句若具有 should/can/could 句意則可以省略成不定詞的寫法 (I don’t know what I should do. -> I don’t know what to do.) ，讀者們也要特別注意主要句子的動詞有「提議、主張、要求、命令、重要、緊迫」的語氣並接著that引導的名詞子句的特殊寫法(I suggested that he do more exercise.) 這句話之中名詞子句中的動詞，不管前面的人稱是什麼，必須使用原型動詞來寫，希望閱讀完本文能讓讀者對名詞子句的用法有一個基本的認識。
參考書目:
Azar, Betty Schrampfer.Understanding and Using English Grammar. 5th ed. New York: Pearson Education, 2017
Azar, Betty Schramfer. Fundamentals of English Grammar. 4th ed. New York: Pearson Education, 2011
賴水信。Fundamentals of TOEFL 基礎托福文法。台北市: 眾文圖書公司
