English Speaking Basics 4

Index

1. I'm calling to + (verb)
2. I'm working on + (noun)
3. I'm sorry to + (verb)
4. I'm thinking of + (verb-ing)
5. I'll help you + (verb)
6. I'm dying to + (verb)
7. It's my turn to + (verb)
8. It's hard for me to + (verb)
9. I'm having a hard time + (verb-ing)
10. I think I should + (verb)

I'm calling to + (verb)

When using the words 'I'm calling' you are stating that you are actually using the phone to call and relay information.

Here are some examples:

"I'm calling to tell you about my day."
"I'm calling to accept your invitation."
"I'm calling to answer your question."
"I'm calling to book a reservation at your restaurant."
"I'm calling to complain about something."
"I'm calling to thank you."
"I'm calling to support your decision."
"I'm calling to remind you of our dinner plans."
"I'm calling to report a lost wallet."
"I'm calling to receive my prize."

I'm working on + (noun)

'I'm' is a contraction for the words 'I am.' The phrase 'working on' relays a physical or mental effort towards an accomplishment.

Here are some examples:

"I'm working on a big project."
"I'm working on training my dog."
"I'm working on making new friends."
"I'm working on educating myself."
"I'm working on my homework."
"I am working on painting a house."
"I am working on a new idea."
"I am working on my computer."
"I'm working on my website."

I'm sorry to + (verb)

Saying you are 'sorry to' expresses a feeling of sympathy or regret.

Here are some examples:

"I'm sorry to be so late."
"I'm sorry to hear about your sick mother."
"I'm sorry to waste your time."
"I'm sorry to make you feel so sad."
"I'm sorry to frighten you."
"I'm sorry to disagree with your decision."
"I'm sorry to call so late."
"I'm sorry to admit what I did."
"I'm sorry to end this relationship."

I'm thinking of + (verb-ing)

'Thinking' refers to a process of thought, forming an opinion or judgment. When expressing 'I am thinking of' you are letting someone know what you are personally thinking.

Here are some examples:

"I'm thinking of checking out the new movie."
"I'm thinking of filming my vacation."
"I'm thinking of following a healthy diet."
"I'm thinking of handing out flyers describing our business."
"I'm thinking of increasing my work load."
"I am thinking of introducing myself to him."
"I am thinking of launching a new website."
"I am thinking of moving to a new city."
"I am thinking of offering her the position."
"I am thinking of opening up a store."

I'll help you + (verb)

This lets you inform someone that you are willing to provide assistance. This could refer to something physical or mental, like helping someone to 'think' or 'remember' something.

Here are some examples:

"I'll help you cook dinner tonight."
"I'll help you raise money for your charity."
"I'll help you register for your class online."
"I'll help you move to your new house."
"I'll help you prevent that from happening again."
"I will help you park your car."
"I will help you provide all the information you need."
"I will help you realize your potential."
"I will help you stop smoking."
"I will help you shop for groceries."

I'm dying to + (verb)

When using the word 'dying' in this manner you are referring to wanting or desiring something greatly.

Here are some examples:

"I'm dying to relax on the beach."
"I'm dying to pick some fresh fruit."
"I'm dying to order some desserts."
"I'm dying to find out if I got the job."
"I'm dying to move to a bigger house."
"I'm dying to look at all the work you've done."
"I'm dying to learn more about you."
"I'm dying to introduce you to my parents."
"I'm dying to expand my business."
"I'm dying to check my score on the test."

It's my turn to + (verb)

The word 'It's' is a contraction of the words 'it is.' When stating 'my turn' you are telling someone that it is time to change position or position focuses on to you.

Here are some examples:

"It's my turn to walk you home."
"It's my turn to do laundry."
"It's my turn to work late."
"It's my turn to take out the trash."
"It's my turn to choose where we eat."
"It is my turn to pay for dinner."
"It is my turn to roll the dice."
"It is my turn to provide an answer."
"It is my turn to try and play the game."
"It is my turn to attempt solving the problem."

It's hard for me to + (verb)

When saying that something is 'hard for me' you are informing someone that what you are talking about is difficult or challenging for you.

Here are some examples:

"It's hard for me to accept what you are telling me."
"It's hard for me to argue your point."
"It's hard for me to balance my check book."
"It's hard for me to concentrate on the task."
"It's hard for me to consider your other options."
"It's hard for me to depend on you."
"It is hard for me to decide where to go tonight."
"It is hard for me to explain my actions."
"It is hard for me to guarantee your success."
"It is hard for me to handle so much pressure."

I'm having a hard time + (verb-ing)

By stating you are having a hard time you are letting someone know you are having difficulty with something. This could be something physical or mental and something that could be overcome with effort.

Here are some examples:

"I'm having a hard time writing."
"I'm having a hard time understanding you."
"I'm having a hard time answering your question."
"I'm having a hard time downloading songs to my iPod."
"I'm having a hard time agreeing to the terms."

With the addition of a verb you can express in more detail just how difficult something is for you.

Here are some examples:

"I'm having an extremely hard time trusting you."
"I'm having an extremely hard time with my wife."
"I'm having a very hard time finding a job."
"I'm having a very hard time finding parts for my car."

I think I should + (verb)

Here you are telling someone that you feel strongly about doing a particular action. Here are some examples:

"I think I should practice my reading."
"I think I should join a study group."
"I think I should handle this as soon as possible."
"I think I should earn my degree."
"I think I should explain myself."