past if its action/state is at the same time

He thought that Mary was taking the exam then.

past perfect if its action/state is earlier

He thought that George had taken the exam the day before.

If the action/state of the noun clause continues in the present (that is, at the time the writer is writing the sentence) or if the noun clause expresses a general truth or fact, the simple present tense can be used even if the main verb is past.

We learned that English is not easy.

The boys knew that the sun rises in the east.

Step III Noun Clauses in Songs

T: Now you are clear about the grammar rule. You like singing songs very much, don't you? The following sentences are taken from the lyrics of some current songs. Find and underline the noun clauses in these lyrics. There are a total of 20 noun clauses. First please work individually. Then compare your answers with your group members.

Show the following on the PowerPoint or print it out as a handout.

1. "Now I'm convinced the whole day long that all I learn is always wrong, and things are true that I forget, but no one taught that to me yet." (Phish/Character Zero)

"And I don't want the world to see me `cause I don't think that they'd understand. Well, everything's made to be broken. I just want you to know who I am." (Goo-Goo Dolls/Iris)

"What we've learned here is love tastes bitter when it's gone." (Matchbox 20/Shame)

"Now the drugs don't work; they just make you worse, but I know I'll see your face again." (The Verve/The Drugs Don't Work)

"What I really wanna say I can't define. What I need is love, but my soul will have to wait 'til I get back and find a Heina of my own. Daddy's gonna love one and all. I feel the break, and I got to live it out. I swear that I really wanna know. What I really wanna say is I got mine, and I'll make it. Yes, I'm comin' up. Tell Sanchito that if he knows what is good for him he best go run and hide. Daddy's got a new .45." (Sublime/Santeria)