'I've' is short for 'I have' and including the word 'decided' you are stating that you have made a decision or come to a conclusion.
Here are some examples:
"I've decided to accept the job."
"I've decided to complete my degree."
"I've decided to change my bad habits."
"I've decided to extend my membership at the gym."
"I've decided to form a chess club."
"I've decided to hand over my responsibilities."
"I've decided to help you move."
"I've decided to interview for the job."
"I've decided to increase my work load."
"I've decided to manage a store."
I was about + Verb
When stating 'I was about to' you are informing someone that you are going to be doing something at that moment or in the very near future.
Here are some examples:
"I was about to go out."
"I was about to go to dinner."
"I was about to go to bed."
"I was about to go to work."
"I was about to say the same thing."
"I was about to call you."
"I was about to send you an email."
"I was about to mow my grass."
"I was about to order us some drinks."
"I was about to watch television."
I didn't mean to + Verb
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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."
I don't have time to + Verb
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The word 'don't' is a contraction of the words 'do not.' When adding 'have time 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."
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'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." |
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I feel like + (Verb + ING)
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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 help + (Verb + ING)
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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 + (Verb + ING)
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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." |
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I'm not used to + (Verb + ING)
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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' 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."
"I need to request a refund."
You are informing someone that you are at a particular place to accomplish something.
Here are some examples:
"I'm here to apply for the job."
"I'm here to take a test."
"I'm here to receive my gift."
"I'm here to support all your decisions."
"I'm here to watch a movie."
"I'm here to work on your computer."
"I'm here to welcome you to the neighborhood."
"I'm here to raise awareness for cancer."
"I'm here to start the job."
"I'm here to receive the award."
When using the expression 'I have something' you are communicating that you possess something or need to do something that is unspecified or undetermined.
Here are some examples:
"I have something to complete."
"I have something to share with you."
"I have something important to tell you."
"I have something to encourage you."
"I have something to explain to you."
"I have something special planned for your birthday."
"I have something else to consider."
"I have something to apologize about."
"I have something to attend tonight."
"I have something to ask you."
"I have something fun for us to do."
I'm looking forward to + Verb
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When telling someone that you are 'looking forward to' you are saying that you are waiting or hoping for something, especially with pleasure.
Here are some examples:
"I'm looking forward to meeting you."
"I'm looking forward to talking with you."
"I'm looking forward to going on vacation."
"I'm looking forward to spending time with my family."
"I'm looking forward to learning the English language."
"I am looking forward to visiting another country."
"I am looking forward to having a family."
"I am looking forward to graduating from college."
"I am looking forward to watching the baseball game."
"I am looking forward to running in a race."
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' 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."
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)
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'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."
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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."
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."
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
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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."
It's hard for me to + Verb
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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)
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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)
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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."
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."
I've heard that + (subject + Verb)
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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."
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