• Noun Clauses as the Direct Object

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• A noun clause can also function as the direct object of a sentence when it follows a verb. Remember, the direct object is the 'who' or 'what' that receives the verb's action. 

  
  

  verb + noun clause*

  - Emily didn't understand why the car broke down.

  
  

  The clause why the car broke down receives the action of the verb. Ask yourself: What didn't Emily understand? Why the car broke down.
•  Click on the play button to hear the audio

• We need to remember that we share this planet with other species.	I wonder how smog affects birds and other wildlife in big cities.
  John said that he was goingto participate in a protest tomorrow.	Governments understand why climate change is important, but they don't do anything about it.

• *Remember! A noun clause includes a relative pronoun, a subject, and a verb.

 Source : Alison