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The Bicycles of The Bicycles of ParisParis

Chapter 12

Noun Clauses

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On a recent trip to Paris, I learned that bicycles were

available for rent everywhere. There were thirty or so bikes

at a high-tech bike station right in front of my hotel. Since

there were no attendants taking care of the bikes at the

station, I wondered how the Velib bikes were paid for. As I

looked down from my window, I could see that people just

came along, inserted a monthly pass or credit card in the

meter, and rode off on their bikes. How all this was

organized was something I was curious about. What I found

out was a weekly Velib pass costs about 7 euros. Riders have

to leave a $150 credit card deposit in case the bike is not

returned. I wondered how many bikes were not returned.

Later, I found out that wasn’t isn’t very many.

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Use a noun clause as the subject or the object of the main verb in a sentence.

How this all was organized was something I was curious about.

I learned that bicycles were available for rent everywhere.

Noun clause - SUBJECT

Noun clause - OBJECT

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Do not use question word order in a noun clause.

I wondered how the Velib bikes were paid for.

I wondered. How were the Velib bikes paid for?

Normal question word order

Noun clause word order

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Practice 1 Find the noun clause. One sentence does not have a noun clause.

1. My friend told me that she rented a bike in Paris.

2. That she was willing to ride a bike in the city traffic impressed me.

3. I wondered how she was able to rent the bike.

4. She told me that it was easy.

5. Where did you go to rent the bike?

6. She told me where she went to rent the bike.

7. I asked her what she paid to rent the bike.

(No noun clause.)

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I asked people at my hotel and found out how to

get access to the bicycles. The first half hour is

free, and 96% of all rides are free of charge because

there are so many bike stations. Riders can choose

when and where to drop off the bikes. One rider

said, “I use it everyday. I’m retired, so I have a lot

of free time, and I use it to visit Paris.” He said

that he changes bikes within the free 30-minute

period, so he never has to pay. All in all, I’m

impressed that the Velib bicycle program is going

so well. It’s important that cities find ways to cut

down on car traffic and air pollution.

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Use a question word followed by an infinitive to express either should or can/could.

Riders can choose when and where to drop off

the bikes.

I found out how to get access to the bicycles.

I found out how I could get access to the bicycles.

Riders can choose when and where they should drop off the bikes.

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Certain verbs and adjectives often come in front of that-noun clauses.

I think that it is a very good way to cut down on

car traffic and air pollution.

Verb + that-clause

Person + be + adjective + that-clause

Anna is proud that the Velib bicycle program is

going so well.

It + be + adjective + that-clauseIt is important that cities find ways to cut down on car traffic and air pollution.

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Use quotation marks before and after the exact words of a speaker.

The man said, “I use it everyday. I’m retired, so I have a lot of free time, and I use it to visit

Paris.”

I use it every day. I’m retired, so I have a lot of free time, and I use

it to visit Paris.

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Don’t use quotation marks in reported speech.

I change bikes within the free 30

minutes, so I never have to pay.

He said that he changes bikes within the free 30-minute period, so he never has to pay.

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Practice 2Complete the sentences with your own words. Use noun clauses.

1. Anna found out __________________________.

2. Please tell me ___________________________.

3. Tom said _______________________________.

4. Do you know ____________________________?

5. He was surprised _________________________.

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Interview a partner. Use a that-clause in your answers

1.What is something that you are sorry about in the past?

2.What is something about science that amazes you?

3.What is something about school that annoys you?

4.What is something you are proud of?

5.What is something that you are relieved happened?

6.What is something that you are worried about for the future?

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