How can you develop English vocabulary and express Your feeling more precisely? This is our topic for today! We'll cover some phrases to help you express yourself more accurately in English.
Emotions are part of our everyday lives. Sometimes, it can feel like our feelings control how we think and act to the point where we feel like we’re not in control.
Express your feeling with "one"
In the English language there are many phrases and expressions that are used for numbers.
Here are phrases with the number one:
- One of these days...
- That's one way of putting it.
- It's one thing to say it...
- One by one...
- I'm not one to complain, but...
- He's got a one-track mind.
- A one-off payment.
- A one-hit wonder.
- The one and only!
- He's a right one!
Express your feeling when apologizing for the delay
It happens we're late for something, that's when we say sorry and usually give a reason our excuse for being late.
Here are phrases:
- Sorry - I didn't hear the alarm clock.
- The alarm didn't go off.
- I slept right through the alarm.
- I had to wait ages for a bus.
- The bus was late.
- The traffic was terrible.
- I couldn't find a parking space.
- The roads were chockablock.
- I got lost coming here.
- It's not an easy place to find.
Express your feeling when encouraged
Everyone loves to be encouraged. Here are some phrases of encouragement:
- You're coming along well.
- Keep up the good work.
- That's a good effort.
- That's a real improvement.
- You're on the right lines.
- Keep going.
- Come on, you can do.
- Give it your best shot.
- What have you got to lose?
- If at first you don't succeed....
Express your feeling when you hate something
There are many ways to say that you don't like something in English.
Here are ten of the more expressive phrases we use to say that something doesn't work for us:
- I'm not too keen on English food.
- I'm not a big a fan of English food.
- I can't work up any enthusiasm for it.
- I'm not particularly fond of English food.
- I can't stand it / I really hate it.
- English food: I can take it or leave it.
- English food leaves me cold.
- I can't see what all the fuss is about.
- I'm afraid it doesn't appeal to me.
- I would rather cut off my right arm than..
Express your feeling when you refuse to do something
Sometimes we hear about an action someone else has done and feel negative about it.
Here are ten phrases English people use to show their disapproval:
- I don't think much of that.
- How apalling / dreadful!
- I'm utterly apalled / disgusted.
- I'm dead against people doing...
- It shouldn't be allowed!
- What a rotten / mean thing to do?
- I take a very dim view of people doing.
- Who do they think they are?
- How can people do things like that?
- Whatever next?
Express your feeling when you are disappointed
Sometimes you expect something to be good and in the end it will be less good than you expected.
Here are ten phrases you can use to show your disappointment:
- What a pity / shame!
- How disappointing!
- That's too bad.
- What a bummer!
- What a let-down!
- That's (just) so disappointing!
- I was so looking forward to...
- We had high hopes for...
- It did not live up to expectation.
- What we had been led to expect was..
Express your feeling when you disagree with people
Sometimes people give an opinion and you don't agree We have many ways to show difference in English.
Here are phrases of them:
- I'm not sure about that!
- You could be right, but..
- (I'm afraid) I don't agree.(I'm afraid) I don't agree.
- I agree up to a point, but..
- That's an interesting idea, but..
- Do you really think..?
- Rubbish! / Nonsense!
- You can't be serious!
- Actually, as a matter of fact. I think..
- That's not how I see it.
- I'm not sure about that!
- You could be right, but...
- (I'm afraid) I don't agree. (I'm afraid) I don't agree.
- I agree up to a point, but..
- That's an interesting idea, but..
- Do you really think..?
- Rubbish! / Nonsense!
- You can't be serious!
- Actually, as a matter of fact. I think..
- That's not how I see it.
Express your feeling in English when making predictions
Imagine your friend says "I'm going to be president someday". in English, We have a number of phrases when making a prediction.
Imagine your friend saying that we think the other person is completely unrealistic:
- As if!
- In your dreams!
- You wish!
- No chance!
- Not a chance!
- Not likely!
- Dream on!
- Never in a million years!
- You'll be lucky!
- Yes, and pigs might fly!
Express your feeling when you are late in responding
Sometimes you need a few seconds to think of the correct word or plan the next sentence.
Fortunately, there are many phrases in English to delay:
- Well, you see...
- Now, let me see.
- Just a moment / Just a second.
- Hang on a moment / second / mo / sec.
- How shall I put it?
- What's the word for it...
- Now, let me think...
- Let me get this right...
- It's on the tip of my tongue...
- That's an interesting question...
Express your feeling when criticizing mistakes
In general, it is not a good idea to criticize the mistakes of others, but when he is a friend or the action affects us directly, we may want to say something.
Here are ten possible phrases:
- That wasn't very clever.
- What were you thinking of?
- I bet you wish you hadn't done that.
- Why on Earth did you go and do that?
- You made a right mess of that.
- I wouldn't do that again (in a hurry).
- Oops.
- What a total disaster.
- You put your foot in it (there).
- That was a bit uncalled for.
Express your feeling when complaining about hypocrisy
Sometimes someone criticizes another person for doing something guilty as well, people like to point it out and that's why there are so many statements.
- Look who's talking!
- You can talk!
- That's rich, coming from you!
- That's the pot calling the kettle black.
- I seem to remember, not so long ago...
- Yeah, and you're so much better.
- And you're so squeaky clean.
- Take a look in the mirror sometime.
- People in glass houses...
- Says Mr. Perfect.
Express your feeling when making people happy
Sometimes others around us feel anxious or unhappy about something.
Here are phrases you can use to try to make people feel better:
- Cheer up! / Chin up!
- Smile!
- It's not the end of the world.
- Worse things happen at sea.
- Look on the bright side........
- Every cloud (has a silver lining).
- Practice makes perfect.
- There are plenty more fish in the sea.
- Lighten up!
- There's no use crying over spilt milk.
Express your feeling when you change your mind
Sometimes you make a decision or think you know an answer and after a short time you realize you were wrong.
Here are things we could say or write in this situation:
- (Actually,) I've changed my mind.
- On second thoughts...
- Come to think of it...
- I've had a change of heart.
- Hang on a minute / a second.
- I've had a bit of a rethink.
- Did I really say that?
- What was I thinking?
- On reflection...
- After further consideration...
Express your feeling when you are bored
Sometimes other people are very passionate about things that you find boring.
Here are phrases to tell people how full you are at finding something but be careful not to offend it:
- How boring / tedious / dull!
- What a bore!
- t bores me to tears.
- It leaves me cold.
- It does nothing for me.
- It's as dull as ditch-water.
- I can't see what all the fuss is about.
- It's as interesting as watching paint dry.
- I'm afraid I don't share your enthusiasm.
- I can't say that I find it interesting.
Express your feeling when you feel anxious
Express yourself when you feel anxious.Sometimes we think that something bad will happen in the future or we think that something bad has already happened.
Here are ways to say you are anxious in English:
- I'm (so) worried about..
- I'm afraid...
- I can't help thinking...
- I can't stop thinking about it.
- I've been worried sick about...
- It's been keeping me awake at night.
- I'm scared stiff / to death that...
- I'm really nervous.
- I've got butterflies in my stomach.
- I'm absolutely dreading..
Express your feeling when you are certain or sure
Sometimes we know we are right about something when we feel confident in our facts by showing others how confident we are by using one of the following phrases:
- I'm quite sure...
- I'm absolutely positive...
- I'm fairly / quite certain...
- It must be right.
- I know...
- It's definitely...
- You can be sure...
- I've no doubt at all that..
- I'm a hundred percent certain that...
- I'm (utterly) convinced...
Express your feeling when you have money
Here are ways someone can say they are rich, have money, or earn a lot.
- A wealthy person.
- A comfortably-off person.
- High-earning / Top-earning executives.
- She's well-off / well-heeled.
- I'm not short of a bob or two.
- He's rolling in it.
- They're filthy rich.
- They're a bit nouveau-riche.
- A millionaire friend of mine...
- Fat cats.