Noun Clauses

Song Lessons
Fundamentals of English Grammar, 3rd Edition
NEVER, MY LOVE by The Association
A lesson about noun clauses (Chapter 14)
Notes for the Teacher
1. The Song
Do a search on the Internet to find the song “Never, My Love” by The Association. When you
search, be sure to include the title and the name of the artist.
2. Song background
The Association is a band with seven members. They began playing in the 1960s, but still play
music today. They are famous for having very good vocal harmony, which means that they sing
different notes that sound good together.
This song is about love that does not end.
3. Grammar background
This song uses a lot of noun clauses. Explain to your students that noun clauses follow a verb
and complete its meaning -- they are used in the same place as direct objects, but noun clauses
have a subject and a verb of their own. Write the sentence below on the board. Then ask a
volunteer to label the subject, verb, and object of the verb.
Ann said that she saw an exciting film.

subj. verb object
Give two or three additional examples for volunteers to label.
Then explain that there are two different kinds of noun clauses in this song. One kind begins
with if. These are yes/no questions turned into noun clauses.
Illustrate how this works. Write these sentences on the board:
I will go.
I don’t know if I will go. (I will go, or I will not go.)
Is Bill in the hospital?

Ann asked me if Bill is in the hospital. (Bill is in the hospital, or he is not in the
hospital.)
Give a few more statements and ask volunteers to turn them into noun clauses.
You can find more information about this type of clause on page 409 of Fundamentals of
English Grammar.
Page 1 of 3
Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
Song Lessons
Explain that the second kind of noun clause in this song begins with that. Some common verbs
that introduce that-clauses are: say, hope, believe, and forget. Students can find a list of verbs
that are often followed by noun clauses on page 414 of Fundamentals of English Grammar.
Write these examples on the board:
She thinks that you’re visiting her next year.

I believe that they took the cookies.
Then remind students that in that-clauses, the word “that” can be omitted. Tell students that they
will hear many that-clauses without the word “that” in this song.
Give these examples:
She thinks you’re visiting her next year.

I believe they took the cookies.
4. Vocabulary
These are just a few of the vocabulary words you might want to discuss during your lesson.
• wonder: think about something and want to know what is true about it
• desire: a strong wish
• depend on: need the help of someone or something
• require: need something
Page 2 of 3
Song Lessons
Student Worksheet
While you listen

1. Listen to the song once. What is the song about?
2. Now listen again and focus on grammar. Find two noun clauses with if. Then find two
that-clauses, one that includes that and one that omits that. Write them down.
Noun clauses with if:____________________________________________________
1.
2.
Noun clauses with that___________________________________________________
That-clause where that is deleted:___________________________________________
3. Listen one more time and follow along with the text. Did you hear all the noun clauses?
Underline all noun clauses in the text.
After you listen

1. Things to think about and discuss
Discuss the meaning of the song with a partner. Do you like this kind of romantic song?
Why or why not?
2. Speaking & Writing

In pairs, small groups, or as a whole class, share your answers to this question:
The singer in this song is very determined and committed to the relationship. What is
something that you are determined about?
Now write a paragraph that explains how you feel about it. See the example:
I am very determined to learn English. I know I can do it, but sometimes it is very
difficult ….
Page 3 of 3

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Song Lessons

Fundamentals of English Grammar, 3rd Edition

NEVER, MY LOVE by The Association

A lesson about noun clauses (Chapter 14)

Notes for the Teacher

This song is about love that does not end.

Ann said that she saw an exciting film.

Give two or three additional examples for volunteers to label.

Illustrate how this works. Write these sentences on the board:

Is Bill in the hospital?

NEVER, MY LOVE by The Association

Write these examples on the board:

She thinks that you’re visiting her next year.

Give these examples:

She thinks you’re visiting her next year.

• desire: a strong wish

• depend on: need the help of someone or something

• require: need something

NEVER, MY LOVE by The Association

While you listen

Noun clauses with if:____________________________________________________

Noun clauses with that___________________________________________________

That-clause where that is deleted:___________________________________________

After you listen

2. Speaking & Writing

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