Datapoint Nigerian Pidgin/Complementizer with verbs of knowing

Generally, the explicit complementizer se is used, but it may optionally be replaced by a zero complementizer, except after copulas (such as bì identity copula and bì layk 'be like') and some stative verbs (fyar 'fear'), where the use of se is obligatory.

Values

Complementizer identical to bare ‘say’ Frequency: 90.0%

Example 17-167:
À sàbi (se) dè̱m go tawn.
À
1sg.sbj
sàbi
know
(se)
(comp)
dè̱m
3sg.sbj
go
go
tawn.
town
I know that they went to town.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 213

Confidence:
Very certain

No complementizer Frequency: 10.0%

Example 17-167:
À sàbi (se) dè̱m go tawn.
À
1sg.sbj
sàbi
know
(se)
(comp)
dè̱m
3sg.sbj
go
go
tawn.
town
I know that they went to town.

Source: Faraclas 1996: 213

Confidence:
Very certain