1. Present Phrases

Why we focus on learning phrases?

If you know 1000 words, you might not be able to say one correct sentence.

But if you know 1 phrase, you can make hundreds of correct sentences.

If you know 100 phrases, you will be surprised at how many correct sentences you will be able to say. Finally, when you know only a 1000 phrases, you will be almost a fluent English speaker.

 

The term present phrases only exists in Still English, the real intention is to describe a group of phrases that are used at the present time, not the future or the past.

 

Let's practice with the following phrases

 

1. I'm

2. I'm in/at/on

3. I'm + (verb)

4. I have + (noun)

5. I'm calling to + (verb)

6. I'm working on + (noun)

7. I'm dying to + (verb)

8. It's time to + (verb)

9. Here's to + (noun)

10. It's my turn to + (verb)

 

I'm

 

'I'm' is an abbreviation for the word 'I AM.' It is used in combination with other words to tell someone about yourself or to describe something you are doing.

 

Here are some examples:

"I'm so tired."

"I'm confused."

"I'm happy."

 

You can also add descriptive words with 'I'm' such as:

"I'm extremely tired."

"I'm very happy."

"I'm terribly hungry."

 

I'm in/at/on

 

Describes an action you are doing.

 

Most commonly, you would use the word 'in' when entering a physical location such as a room or a building.

 

Here are some examples:

"I'm in the shower."

"I'm in the lobby."

"I'm in a car."

 

Using the word 'at' helps tell someone where you currently are. The difference between 'at' and 'in' is that the physical location is general.

 

Here are some examples:

"I'm at the grocery."

"I'm at the mall."

"I'm at the doctor's office."

 

However, in some cases you can use 'at' and 'in' interchangeably.

 

Here are some examples:

"I'm at the mall."

"I'm in the mall."

"I'm at the park."

 

Using the word 'on' is referring to a non physical location such as your time being utilized by something else.

 

Here are some examples:

"I'm on the phone."

"I'm on my computer."

"I'm on a bus."

 

I'm + (verb)

 

'I'm' is a contraction of the words 'I am.' By adding a verb to 'I'm' this lets you express an action or occurrence about yourself.

 

Here are some examples:

"I'm eating lunch."

"I'm brushing my teeth."

"I'm scared."

 

I have + (noun)

 

By using the words 'I have' you are informing someone of something you have possession of or have acquired.

 

Here are some examples:

"I have a cat."

"I have a nice car."

"I have a house."

 

You may hear the words 'cannot' and 'won't' used with 'I have.' By adding these you can express what you will not put up with or allow.

 

Here are some examples:

"I cannot have that behavior in my house."

"I cannot have you over tonight."

 

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 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 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."

 

It's time to + (verb)

 

You are letting someone know that something is required to be done at the present time.

 

Here are some examples:

"It's time to say goodbye."

"It's time to ask for a raise."

"It's time to collect our money."

 

Here's to + (noun)

 

'Here's to' is used in a way of celebrating or identifying a person, place, or thing of significance. It is usually said while toasting someone at dinner, or signaling to someone or something after an event.

 

Here are some examples:

"Here's to the winner!"

"Here's to your marriage!"

"Here's to the New Year!"

 

 

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."

 

Practice

 

 

I'm

"I'm twenty three years old."

"I'm hungry."

"I'm nervous."

"I'm excited."

"I'm leaving work."

"I'm thirsty."

"I'm from Seattle."

"I am super excited."

"I'm very nervous."

 

I'm in/at/on

"I'm in a house."

"I'm in a school."

"I'm at the park."

"I'm at the airport."

"I'm in the park."

"I'm at the grocery."

"I'm in the grocery."

 

I'm + (verb)

"I'm driving to work."

"I'm crying."

"I'm typing an email."

"I'm cooking dinner."

"I'm combing my hair."

"I'm hanging a picture."

"I am texting."

"I am dancing."

"I am interested in the job."

"I am exercising."

"I am sad."

"I am learning."

 

I have + (noun)

"I have a computer."

"I have a headache."

"I won't have anything to do with that."

"I won't have it any other way."

 

I'm calling to + (verb)

"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 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 dying to + (verb)

"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 time to + (verb)

"It's time to cheer for our team."

"It's time to change the clocks."

"It is time to decide what to do."

"It is time to enjoy ourselves."

"It is time to fill me in on what's going on."

"It is time to help out."

"It is time to join a gym."

 

Here's to + (noun)

"Here's to great friends!"

"Here's to starting a new job!"

"Here is to the luckiest guy in the world!"

"Here is to you!"

"Here is to happiness!"

"Here is to a wonderful day!"

"Here is to great memories!"

 

It's my turn to + (verb)

"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."