Like any noun, a noun clause can be a subject, an object, or a complement.
Noun clauses can be used to name something when a single word isn't
enough. It's also important to remember that these clauses are dependent
clauses. A dependent clause is one that cannot stand by itself. If a dependent
clause is placed alone, it forms a fragment, not a full sentence. An
independent clause can act as a sentence by itself, but dependent clauses
cannot.
Noun clauses commonly begin with words such as how, that, what, whatever,
when, where, whether, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever,
and why.
Examples of independent clause:
▪ He ran fast.
▪ I was late to work.
▪ The paper does not specify which type of format it must be in.
▪ The instructor spent the class period reviewing the difference
between independent and dependent clauses.