Select the abbreviation that tells how the italicized noun clause is used.

S-subject, DO-direct object, SC-subject complement, OP-object of preposition

What I had been hoping for was a scholarship.

S-subject

Explanation:

Noun clause is a kind of clause that can function as subject, object, or object of preposition in a sentence. It starts with connectors such as what, where, how, why, who, when, if, whether, that ...

In this sentence, 'what I had been hoping for' is a noun clause which acts as the subject of the verb 'was'.

- S - Subject.

Explanation:

A noun clause is elucidated as the cluster of words functioning as a noun in the sentence. These clauses can function multi-purposely as subjects, indirect or direct objects, subject compliment, etc. and are usually subordinate as they begin with relative pronouns like 'when, whom, which, etc. or its expanded forms like whichever, whatever, whomsoever, etc.

In the given sentence, the noun clause 'What I had been hoping for' is functioning as a subject as it is acting upon the verb ('was') in the sentence. However, the clause is dependent on the latter part (predicate) of the sentence to accomplish its meaning yet it demonstrates the key idea (subject) that is being discussed in the sentence.