First, read my post Noun Clauses #1.
In Noun Clauses #1, we looked at how a Noun Clause can be the subject, the object, or the complement in a sentence.
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In this post, we will examine more Noun Clauses as objects, as they are the most common, especially Noun Clauses with the Marker ‘that‘; as well as Noun Clauses as object of the preposition and Noun Clauses as adjective complement.
The British singer/songwriter, Labrinth, sings a song called ‘Jealous’. Have a look at the chorus:
I wished you the best of all this world could give, And I told you when you left me there’s nothing to forgive; But I always thought you’d come back, tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery. It’s hard for me to say, I’m jealous of the way you’re happy without me.
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∗ Object of the preposition: Labrinth is jealous of how she’s happy without him.
The song is about how he thought she would return.
∗ Adjective complement: He is unhappy that she didn’t come back.
He is upset that she is happy without him.
The Noun Clause Markers used in the above sentences are: how & that.
Did you notice that the Noun Clause Markers are followed by a sentence?
… she’s happy without him. … he thought she would return. … … she didn’t come back. … she is happy without him.
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Let’s have a look at the Noun Clauses in the chorus:
♦ And I told you, when you left me, (that) there’s nothing to forgive;
And I told you this.
♦ But I always thought (that) you’d come back, tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery.
But I always thought this.
♦ It’s hard for me to say (that) I’m jealous of the way you’re happy without me.
It’s hard for me to say this.
The Noun Clause Marker ‘that’ is the only marker that can be omitted, and it often is. Whether it is stated or not, it is always followed by a complete sentence:
… there’s nothing to forgive;
… you’d come back, tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery.
… I’m jealous of the way you’re happy without me.
So now, have a listen to this song, which Labrinth sings beautifully (and clearly). There is another Noun Clause in the song which I have not mentioned. Can you find it? There is a contact section under the video. If you want feedback, let me know what you think.
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