English Speaking Basics 6

I wish I could + (verb)

You are expressing a desire to do something.

Here are some examples:

"I wish I could sing better."
"I wish I could settle the argument."
"I wish I could sail around the world."
"I wish I could remain calm during all of this."
"I wish I could remember his name."
"I wish I could replace my old car with a new one."
"I wish I could play outside."
"I wish I could go to the game with you."
"I wish I could write better."
"I wish I could own my own business."

You should + (verb)

Here you are suggesting an obligation or duty that needs to take place either now or in the near future.

Here are some examples:

"You should go to bed."
"You should do your homework before going outside."
"You should replace you headlights on your car."
"You should request a raise at work."
"You should stop smoking."
"You should smile more."
"You should slow down when driving in a neighborhood."
"You should talk to him about it."
"You should train your dog."
"You should trust what they say."

You're supposed to + (verb)

'You're' is a contraction of the words 'you are.' When using 'You're' with the words 'supposed to' you are making a suggestion that something you strongly believe ought to happen.

Here are some examples:

"You're supposed to keep that secret."
"You're supposed to let me know when you leave."
"You're supposed to stop when at a red light."
"You're supposed to unpack once you get there."
"You're supposed to return the movies you rent on time."
"You are supposed to remain calm."
"You are supposed to fasten your seat belt."
"You are supposed to invite all your friends."
"You are supposed to encourage one another."
"You are supposed to decide before next Thursday."

You seem + (adjective)

When stating 'you seem' you're referring to the person you are talking to and expressing that they are giving the impression of or appear to be.

Here are some examples:

"You seem bored."
"You seem unhappy with the results."
"You seem eager to begin."
"You seem easy to get along with."
"You seem elated to hear the good news."
"You seem deeply in love."
"You seem afraid of roller coasters."
"You seem confused about the rules of the game."
"You seem embarrassed about what happened."
"You seem decisive about your choice."

You'd better + (verb)

'You'd' is a contraction of 'you had' or 'you would.' You are making a suggestion to someone for a particular action.

Here are some examples:

"You'd better exercise."
"You'd better help out."
"You'd better invite your brother."
"You'd better impress the judges."
"You'd better listen to your parents."
"You had better not come home late."
"You had better hope for the best."
"You had better change your attitude."
"You would be good at teaching."
"You would do well at math."

Are you into + (noun) Here you are asking a question about an interest they might have or something they might enjoy doing. Here are some examples: "Are you into soccer?" "Are you into trying new things?" "Are you into wine tasting?" "Are you into working out at home or at the gym?" "Are you into scary movies?" "Are you into playing games?" "Are you into jogging?" "Are you into painting?" "Are you into traveling?" "Are you into fixing cars?"

Are you trying to + (verb)

You are asking someone if they are attempting to do something. This can be something mentally or physically.

Here are some examples:

"Are you trying to ignore me?"
"Are you trying to manage your money?"
"Are you trying to memorize that song?"
"Are you trying to offer your help?"
"Are you trying to program your new phone?"
"Are you trying to pretend like it never happened?"
"Are you trying to remain calm?"
"Are you trying to remember her name?"
"Are you trying to reflect on the past?"
"Are you trying to switch flights?"

Please + (verb)

'Please' is generally used in a polite request when asking someone to do something.

Here are some examples:

"Please pass me the salt."
"Please order me the steak and potatoes."
"Please stop bothering me."
"Please wash your hands before dinner."
"Please wait outside until we are ready."
"Please zip up your coat before you go outside."
"Please stand back."

The word 'please' can also mean to give enjoyment or satisfaction to.

Here are some examples:

"The smell of the flowers was very pleasing."
"May it please the court to admit this into evidence?"
"I was very pleased with how the children behaved in class."
"You cannot please everyone all the time."
"She was pleased with the dress."

Don't + (verb)

The word 'don't' is a contraction of the words 'do not.' It is said to convey a message of what NOT should be done.

Here are some examples:

"Don't try and fool me."
"Don't allow this to happen."
"Don't watch scary movies before you go to bed."
"Don't cause any more trouble."
"Don't chew gum in class."
"Do not concern yourself with other people's problems."
"Do not behave that way."
"Do not announce your decision until you're ready."
"Do not argue with me."
"Do not arrive late for your meeting."

Do you like

With this question you are asking someone what they prefer or enjoy.

Here are some examples:

"Do you like traveling on a plane?"
"Do you like watching baseball on TV?"
"Do you like skiing or snowboarding?"
"Do you like going to bed early?"
"Do you like spending time with me?"
"Do you like repeating the class?"
"Do you like playing video games?"
"Do you like listening to music?"
"Do you like practicing playing the piano?"
"Do you like jogging with me?"

English Speaking Basics 5

index
1. I've heard that + (subject + verb)
2. It occurred to me that (subject + verb)
3. Let me + (verb)
4. Thank you for
5. Can I + (verb)
6. Can I get + (noun)
7. I'm not sure if (subject + verb)
8. Do you mind if I + (verb)
9. I don't know what to + (verb)
10. I should have + (past participle)

I've heard that + (subject + verb)

You are letting someone know that you are aware of something or that you have been informed of something that is taking place. This could be something that has already happened or something happening in the near future. 'I've' is a contraction of the words 'I have.'

Here are some examples:

"I've heard that you got a new job."
"I've heard that you want to leave your job."
"I've heard that you got a new car."
"I've heard that you like to jog."
"I've heard that you fix computers."
"I've heard that you've never been to Canada."
"I've heard that you like to shop."
"I've heard that you and your boss don't get along."
"I've heard that there is no school next week."
"I've heard that your wife is a yoga instructor."

It occurred to me that (subject + verb)

The word 'occurred' informs someone that something has come to mind or has been found. You are letting someone know that you suddenly have thought or remembered about something.

Here are some examples:

"It occurred to me that I forgot your birthday."
"It occurred to me that we both belong to the same gym."
"It occurred to me that we enjoy a lot of the same things."
"It occurred to me the price for homes are more expensive here."
"It occurred to me that eating healthy makes me feel better."

Using the word 'had' or 'has' can change what you are saying to represent something remembered in a past time.

Here are some examples:

"It had occurred to me that I forgot something at the grocery."
"It had occurred to me I might need to change my email address."
"It has occurred to me I forgot my mom's birthday."
"It has occurred to me before."

Let me + (verb)

'Let me' is suggesting that you are asking for permission or an opportunity to do something.

Here are some examples:

"Let me make my own decisions."
"Let me offer to help you."
"Let me open the door for you."
"Let me pause and think about what we are doing."
"Let me welcome you to the neighborhood."
"Let me save you the trouble."
"Let me make a suggestion."
"Let me try and fix your car."
"Let me taste the soup before you add more spices."
"Let me treat you to some ice cream."

Thank you for

Saying 'thank you' is telling someone you appreciate what they have done. This can either be something they did for you or for someone else.

Here are some examples:

"Thank you for inviting me."
"Thank you for helping me move."
"Thank you for informing me about the job opening."
"Thank you for mailing that package for me."
"Thank you for working so hard."
"Thank you for stopping by to visit."
"Thank you for replying to my email."
"Thank you for providing me with the answers."
"Thank you for heating up dinner."
"Thank you for hurrying to get here."

Can I + (verb)

When ending a sentence with a question mark (?) you are asking the person or people you are talking to a question for which you would like an answer. Here you are asking permission to do a particular action.

Here are some examples:

"Can I answer your question?"
"Can I attend the event?"
"Can I move to another spot?"
"Can I call you tomorrow?"
"Can I complete this later?"
"Can I explain myself?"
"Can I help you with your homework?"
"Can I include you in our plans?"
"Can I introduce you to my co-workers?"
"Can I inform you of some bad news?"

By adding the word 'don't' you have changed what you are conveying from something you are thinking of doing, to something you are against.

Here are some examples:

"I do not think I should complain so much."
"I do not think I should attend that event."
"I do not think I should borrow more money."
"I do not think I should doubt you."
"I do not think I should decide until later."

Can I get + (noun)

The phrase 'Can I get' can be used in a couple different ways. You can use it to ask a question.

Here are some examples:

"Can I get a cup of water?"
"Can I get a dog?"
"Can I get lunch?"
"Can I get sugar in my coffee?"
"Can I get popcorn at the movie?"

You can also use it when offering to help someone or do something for them.

Here are some examples:

"Can I get you another drink?"
"Can I help you move that?"
"Can I recommend a good place to eat?"
"Can I take you home?"
"Can I help you finish your project?"

I'm not sure if (subject + verb)

'I'm not sure' expresses a feeling of uncertainty or lack of confidence on a particular matter.

Here are some examples:

"I am not sure if they will offer me the job."
"I'm not sure if she'll return my call."
"I'm not sure if my wife will understand."
"I'm not sure if we will go out tonight."
"I'm not sure if I understand your question."
"I am not sure if I can handle it."
"I am not sure if it will happen."
"I am not sure if it will matter."
"I am not sure if my mom will notice."
"I am not sure if they will permit us to park there."

Do you mind if I + (verb)

You are asking someone in present tense if they object to something you are asking.

Here are some examples:

"Do you mind if I excuse myself?"
"Do you mind if we left early?"
"Do you mind if I take a nap?"
"Do you mind if I ask your mom?"
"Do you mind if it snows?"

You could also use the word 'would'

Here are some examples:

"Would you mind if we went out to eat?"
"Would you mind if I opened the window?"
"Would you mind telling me what you're doing?"
"Would you mind being quiet for a minute?"
"Would you mind if I changed the channel?"

I don't know what to + (verb)

You are letting someone know that you are not sure about what is being asked. You may also have no knowledge or opinion on a topic.

Here are some examples:

"I don't know what to eat for dinner."
"I don't know what to buy you for your birthday."
"I don't know what to say."
"I don't know what to do with my spare time."
"I don't know what to do for vacation."
"I do not know what to do to make you happy."
"I do not know what to do to help you understand."
"I do not know what to think."
"I do not know what to do to prevent this."
"I do not know what to order."

I should have + (past participle)

'Should' is the past tense of the word 'shall.' When using the words 'should have' you are talking about something in the past that you 'ought to' or 'might have' done.

Here are some examples:

"I should have gone with you."
"I should have studied more for my test."
"I should have read the directions before starting."
"I should have eaten breakfast this morning."
"I should have listened to your advice."
"I should have married her when I had the chance."

'Shall' is something that will take place or exist in the future.

Here are some examples:

"I shall leave tomorrow."
"I shall finish the job next week."
"I shall see it tomorrow."
"I shall go outside if it's nice out."
"I shall pay for this later."