Noun Clauses – Free Exercise

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Exercises

Subjunctive or infinitive? Conjugate the verbs in the noun clauses in the correct form.

  1. Clara a oublié qu’elle (devoir / imparfait)   faire les courses ce jour-là.If the main verb expresses a declaration or a comment, we use the indicative in the subordinate clause. This presents the information as an objective truth.Clara forgot that she had to do the shopping today.
  2. Mes parents refusent que (aller / présent)   à la fête de Jérémie.If the main verb expresses a wish, feeling, doubt or possibility we use the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. This presents the information in a more subjective manner.My parents refuse to let me go to Jérémie’s party.
  3. Penses-tu que nous (pouvoir / présent)   nous y rendre à pied?Verbs of opinion that are normally followed by the indicative change to take the subjunctive when they are used in a negation or a question with inverted word order.Do you think that we can go on foot?
  4. Il a dit qu’il (être / conditionnel)   en retard.If the verb in the main clause expresses a statement, declaration or opinion it is followed by the indicative. This presents the information as an objective truth.He said that he would be late.
  5. Est-ce que tu as compris ce qu’elle (dire / passé composé)   dit?When the verb in the main clause expresses a statement, declaration or opinion it is followed by the indicative. This presents the information as an objective truth.Did you understand what she said?

Replace the noun clauses introduced by que with infinitives.

Example:
Ils croient qu’ils ont oublié de fermer la porte.They thought that they forgot to close the door.
→ Ils croient avoir oublié de fermer la porte.
  1. Elle a l’impression qu’elle a oublié quelque chose.
    → Elle a l’impression  We can replace a noun clause with an infinitive clause when it is in the indicative and has the same subject as the main clause, although this is not obligatory.She has the impression that she forgot something.
    →She has the impression of having forgotten something.
  2. Arthur et Loïc prétendent qu’ils sont à la bibliothèque.
    → Arthur et Loïc prétendent  We can replace a noun clause with an infinitive clause when it is in the indicative and has the same subject as the main clause, although this is not obligatory.Arthur and Loïc claim that they are at the library.
    → Arthur and Loïc claim to be at the library.
  3. Nous espérons que nous verrons les chutes du Niagara un jour.
    → Nous espérons  We can replace a noun clause with an infinitive clause when it is in the indicative and has the same subject as the main clause, although this is not obligatory.We hope that we will see Niagara falls one day.
    → We hope to see Iguazú falls one day.
  4. Je suis certaine que j’ai fermé la porte.
    → Je suis certaine  We can replace a noun clause with an infinitive clause when it is in the indicative and has the same subject as the main clause, although this is not obligatory.I’m certain that I closed the door.
    → I’m certain of having closed the door.
  5. Vous m’avez promis que vous rentrerez à l’heure.
    → Vous m’avez promis  We can replace a noun clause with an infinitive clause when it is in the indicative and has the same subject as the main clause, although this is not obligatory.You promised me you would come home on time.
    You promised to come home on time.

Decide if the underlined phrases are subordinate infinitive clauses or not. Choose yes if the subordinate clause is an infinitive clause, and no if it is not.

  1. Ingrid n’entend pas le téléphone sonner.
    The subject of the main clause (Ingrid) and the subject of the subordinate clause (le téléphone) are different → infinitive clauseIngrid doesn’t hear the phone ringing.
  2. Le président aimerait être réélu l’année prochaine.
    The main clause and the subordinate clause have the same subject (le président).|→ the infinitive is a compliment of the verb aimer, not part of an infinitive clause.The president would like to be reelected next year.
  3. Mon chat regarde les gens passer devant la fenêtre.
    The subject of the main clause (mon chat) and the subject of the subordinate clause (les gens) are different → infinitive clauseMy cat watches the people walking in front of the window.
  4. Nous emmenons nos petits cousins voir le spectacle de marionnettes.
    The subject of the main clause (nous) and the subject of the subordinate clause (not petits cousins) are different → infinitive clauseWe take our little cousins to watch the puppet show.
  5. Elles ont déclaré ne pas avoir vu la pancarte.
    The main clause and the subordinate clause have the same subject (Elles) → the infinitive is a compliment of the verb déclarer, not an infinitive clauseThey claimed not to have seen the sign.