Learning English with "You know what I want? I want you." from The Notebook

Welcome, English learners! Are you looking for a fun and effective way to boost your language skills? Learning English with movie lines is an engaging method, and today we're exploring the powerful quote: "You know what I want? I want you." This iconic line, passionately delivered by Noah Calhoun in the beloved 2004 film The Notebook, resonates with emotion and offers a fantastic opportunity for language learning through film dialogue. Get ready to uncover the English lessons hidden within this simple yet profound declaration.

Table of Contents

• Why This Movie Quote Helps You Learn English
• Important Vocabulary and Grammar Points
• Mini Quiz
• Conclusion

Why This Movie Quote Helps You Learn English

This quote, "You know what I want? I want you.", is a gem for English learners. It showcases a very direct and common way of expressing desire in English. By studying it, you can understand how native speakers convey strong feelings concisely, which is valuable for English pronunciation practice through films as you listen and mimic.

Analyzing such lines helps you grasp intonation and emotional weight, crucial for real-life conversations and conversational English practice. It’s not just about the words, but how they are said. This line from The Notebook provides a clear example of using simple language for powerful impact, a key skill in understanding spoken English.

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Important Vocabulary and Grammar Points

Let's break down "You know what I want? I want you." to understand its components better. This analysis will aid your vocabulary building with movies.

Key Vocabulary

Here are the essential words from the quote:

Interesting Grammar Points

This seemingly simple quote, "You know what I want? I want you.", holds several interesting grammatical structures useful for English learners.

1. Wh-question as a Noun Clause ("what I want")

• Structure: Wh-word + Subject + Verb
• Explanation: In the phrase "You know what I want", the part "what I want" is not a direct question asking for information like "What do I want?". Instead, it functions as a noun clause. A noun clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that acts like a noun. Here, it serves as the direct object of the verb "know," specifying the thing that you (the listener) are presumed to know. Understanding noun clauses is crucial for constructing more complex sentences and for comprehending how information is embedded within statements. This structure is very common in everyday English communication.
• Example: She couldn't decide what she should eat for dinner.

2. Simple Present Tense for Expressing Current States and Desires ("I want you")

• Structure: Subject + Base Verb (e.g., I want, You want, He/She/It wants)
• Explanation: The simple present tense is used in "I want you" to express a current, strong, and direct feeling or desire. It's not describing an action happening at this very second (like the present continuous "I am running"), but rather a state of being or a general truth about the speaker's feelings at the present moment. This tense is frequently used for emotions, opinions, states of being, and habitual actions. In the context of expressing desire in English, it makes the statement immediate and impactful.
• Example: He likes chocolate ice cream and eats it every week.

3. Direct Address and Emphasis with Pronouns ("I want you.")

• Structure: Subject + Verb + Object Pronoun (with potential vocal emphasis on the object)
• Explanation: The repetition in the full quote "You know what I want? I want you." and the directness of the statement "I want you" serve to strongly emphasize the specific object of the speaker's desire: "you." The object pronoun "you" clearly indicates the person to whom the speaker's feelings are directed. In spoken English, the word "you" would likely receive significant vocal stress or emphasis to highlight this focus, making the declaration unmistakable. This precise use of pronouns and the potential for vocal emphasis are key elements in conveying clear and strong messages.
• Example: They invited many people to the party, but they specifically called us because we are close friends.

4. Interrogative Sentence Followed by Declarative Sentence

• Structure: Question Sentence ("You know what I want?") + Declarative Sentence ("I want you.")
• Explanation: The quote begins with an interrogative sentence, "You know what I want?". This isn't a genuine question where the speaker is seeking an unknown answer from the listener. Instead, it functions as a rhetorical question or a leading statement designed to capture attention and prepare the listener for the subsequent declaration. The declarative sentence, "I want you," then delivers the powerful, direct answer or assertion. This pairing of sentence types creates a dramatic build-up and a forceful impact. Learning to recognize and use different sentence types effectively is very helpful for movie dialogue analysis for ESL and for improving one's own expressive capabilities in English.
• Example: Are you ready for the big news? We actually won the entire competition!

5. Implied Meaning and Context (Pragmatics)

• Structure: Dependent on context, intonation, and shared understanding.
• Explanation: Beyond the literal definitions of the words, the phrase "You know what I want? I want you." carries immense implied meaning, largely derived from its specific context within the movie The Notebook. It's not just a simple statement of preference; it's a profound declaration of love, deep longing, and perhaps even a sense of destiny or inevitability between the characters. Understanding such nuances, which falls under the study of pragmatics in language, is crucial for advanced understanding spoken English. It highlights how context, tone, and shared background knowledge shape the interpretation of an utterance. This quote is a superb example of how simple words can convey complex emotions and layers of meaning when the context is understood.
• Example: When a friend who is clearly upset says "I'm fine" with a flat tone, the implied meaning is likely the opposite of the literal words.

More: Learn English: 'I Can't Promise to Love You for the Rest of My Life'

Mini Quiz

Test your understanding of the vocabulary and grammar from "You know what I want? I want you."

1. In the phrase "You know what I want", what is the grammatical role of "what I want"? a) An adjective modifying "know" b) A direct question asking for information c) A noun clause acting as the object of "know" d) An adverbial phrase of manner

2. The verb "want" in "I want you" is in which tense, used to express a current desire? a) Simple Past b) Simple Present c) Present Continuous d) Future Simple

3. How does the structure "You know what I want? I want you." primarily achieve its emotional impact? a) By using complex vocabulary b) Through a lengthy and detailed explanation c) By asking a question and then providing a direct, emphatic answer d) By using a passive voice construction

4. Which word from the quote is a verb meaning "to have a desire or wish for something"? a) Know b) Want c) You d) What

Answers:

1. c
2. b
3. c
4. b

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Conclusion

The quote "You know what I want? I want you." from The Notebook is more than just a romantic line; it's a valuable tool for English learners. It beautifully demonstrates how simple sentence structures, common vocabulary, and direct expressions can convey profound emotions. By analyzing such quotes, you enhance your understanding of grammar in context, expand your vocabulary, and improve your grasp of natural, conversational English.

We encourage you to continue your journey of language learning through film dialogue. Explore more film quotes for English fluency and keep practicing. Movies offer a window into authentic language use, making your learning experience both enjoyable and effective. Happy learning, and keep watching those movies! Remember, every line can be a lesson, especially when you learn English with movie lines.