Here we will see that in some cases a noun clause connector is not just a connector; a noun clause connector can also be the subject of the clause at the same time.

In the first example there are two clauses: “I do not know and what is in the box”. These two clauses are joined by the connector “what”. It is important to understand that in this sentence the word “what” serves two functions. It is both the subject of the verb “is” and the connector that Joins the two clauses.

In the second example there are two clauses. In the first clause “we” is the subject of “are”. In the second clause “who” is the subject of “will do”. “Who” also serves as the connector that joins the two clauses. The noun clause “who will do the work” functions as the object of the preposition “about”.

In the last example there are also two clauses: “whoever” is the subject of the verb is coming, and the noun clause “whoever is coming to the party” is the subject of “must bring”. The word “whoever” serves two functions in the sentence: It is the subject of the verb “is coming”, and it is the connector that joins the two clauses.

In this example you should notice immediately that there are two verbs, “was and made”, and each of those verbs needs a subject. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because “it and the story” cannot be the subject for both “was and made” at the same time. Answer (D) is incorrect because “when” is not a subject. In answer (C) “what” serves as both the subject of the verb “was” and the connector that joins the two clauses together; the noun clause “what was on television” is the subject of the verb “made”. Answer (C) is therefore the best answer.