Spoken English Expression part-3

Spoken English Expression part-3

 I didn't mean to

The word 'didn't' is a contraction of the words 'did not'. When using it in a sentence with the words 'mean to' you are informing someone that you did something you regret or are sorry for. This could have been a physical, mental or verbal action.

Here are some examples:

"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
"I didn't mean to call you so late."
"I didn't mean to lie about what happened."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"I didn't mean to stay out so late."
"I did not mean to say those things."
"I did not mean to leave you out."
"I did not mean to make you confused."
"I did not mean to think you were involved."
"I did not mean to cause trouble."

T

I don't have time to

The word 'don't' is a contraction of the words 'do not.' When adding 'have times to' you are simply stating that you have other obligations and all other things considered must wait.

Here are some examples:

"I don't have time to explain."
"I don't have time to eat."
"I don't have time to exercise."
"I don't have time to watch my favorite TV show."
"I don't have time to talk."

You can also use the phrase 'I don't' to express things you do not like, things you do not understand, or things you do not do.

Here are some examples:

"I don't eat meat."
"I don't like the rain."
"I don't understand Spanish."
"I do not understand what you are saying."
"I do not like scary movies."
"I do not like sports."

I promise not to

When using the word 'promise' you are giving your word that what you are saying is true. You might also be assuring someone a guarantee that you will follow thru on what you are saying to them.

When using 'promise not to' you are stating you will not do a particular thing.

Here are some examples:

"I promise not to tell."
"I promise not to leave without you."
"I promise not to be so late."
"I promise not to hurt your feelings."
"I promise not to wake you up."

You can also just use the word 'promise' to assure someone of your intentions.

Here are some examples:

"I promise I am telling the truth."
"I promise to practice my math."
"I promise to call you."
"I promise I will tell you."
"I promise I will come to your party."

I would rather

'I'd' is a contraction of the words 'I had' or 'I would.'

When using it with the word 'rather' you are suggesting you would like to do or prefer one thing more than another.

Here are some examples:

"I'd rather talk about this later."
"I'd like to eat at home than go get fast food."
"I'd rather ski than snowboard."
"I'd rather stay late than come in early tomorrow."
"I'd rather handle the problem myself."
"I had rather go home than stay out too late."
"I had rather listen to my parents or get in trouble."
"I would rather exercise than sit on the couch all day."
"I would rather complete my task early."
"I would rather know the answer."

I feel like

Here you are expressing to someone something you would enjoy doing.

Here are some examples:

"I feel like going for a bike ride."
"I feel like going to the beach."
"I feel like having a snack."
"I feel like talking."
"I feel like dancing."
"I feel like having friends over to my house."
"I feel like watching TV."

By adding 'don't' or 'do not' you can change what you are saying to express something you would not enjoy or express a concern about something.

Here are some examples:

"I don't feel like leaving yet."
"I don't feel like explaining."
"I don't feel like going to bed."
"I do not feel comfortable talking about it."
"I do not feel like we are going in the right direction."

I can't

The word 'can't' is contraction for 'cannot.' Combined with 'help' you are communicating something you are unable to control or having a hard time gaining a grasp for. This can be a physical or mental action.

Here are some examples:

"I can't help thinking about it."
"I can't help shopping so much."
"I can't help working all the time."
"I can't help smiling when I see her."
"I can't help eating so much."
"I can't help loving you."
"I can not help biting my nails when I am nervous."
"I can not help smoking when I have been drinking."
"I cannot help feeling so sad."
"I cannot help remembering the things you did."

I was busy

When using the word 'was', you are referring to something in a past tense, or something that happened before. Combining it with the word 'busy' you can express something that was occupying you in a past time.

Here are some examples:

"I was busy thinking."
"I was busy working."
"I was busy cooking dinner."
"I was busy talking on the phone."
"I was busy cleaning the house."
"I was busy studying for my test."
"I was busy thinking of ideas for our website."
"I was busy entertaining our neighbors."
"I was busy completing my housework."
"I was busy learning new things."

By changing 'was' to 'am' you change your message from past tense to present tense and refer to something you are doing 'now.'

Here are some examples:

"I am busy working."
"I am busy cooking dinner."
"I am busy studying for my test."
"I am busy completing housework."
"I am busy talking on the phone."

I'm not used to  

Here you are using 'not used to' to inform someone that you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with a topic at hand.

Here are some examples:

"I'm not used to talking English."
"I'm not used to studying so much."
"I'm not used to being around new people."
"I'm not used to talking in front of groups of people."
"I'm not used to having so much stress."
"I'm not used to traveling so much."
"I'm not used to working so early."
"I'm not used to having so much responsibility."
"I'm not used to drinking so much."

I want you to

‘I want you to' is telling someone that you have a desire or would like for them to do something.

Here are some examples:

"I want you to clean the dishes."
"I want you to come home right after school."
"I want you to call once you get there."
"I want you to explain yourself to me."
"I want you to educate me."

By using the word 'need' instead of 'want' you are expressing something that is required or wanted.

Here are some examples:

"I need you to study harder in school."
"I need you to stop and listen to me."
"I need you to greet our guests."
"I need you to introduce me to your family."