BASIC ENGLISH I

I've decided to + (verb)

'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 would like to + (verb)

This sentence lets someone know what you would be interested in doing. This can be a physical, mental or verbal action.

Here are some examples:

"I would like to answer that question."
"I would like to compete in a cooking contest."
"I would like to explain myself."
"I would like to invite you over."
"I would like to practice."
"I would like to become a doctor."
"I would like to see you more often."
"I would like to thank you."
"I would like to learn about animals."
"I would like to meet the President."

I have to + (verb)

The words 'have to' describe something that needs to take place soon. It expresses certainty, necessity, or obligation.

Here are some examples:

"I have to switch schools."
"I have to use the telephone."
"I have to go to the bathroom."
"I have to leave."
"I have to unpack my bags."

You can also add the word 'don't' to suggest that someone is not required to do something.

"I don't have to switch schools."
"I don't have to use the telephone."
"I don't have to go to the bathroom."
"I don't have to leave."
"I don't have to unpack my bags."

I used to + (verb)

'Used to' expresses something that was done in the past, and is not usually done now.

Here are some examples:

"I used to develop websites."
"I used to jog every day."
"I used to paint."
"I used to smoke."
"I used to work from home."
"I used to live in California."
"I used to go to the beach every day."
"I used to sing in a choir."
"I used to like vegetables."
"I used to start work at 6 o'clock."

I have + (past participle)

Again, 'I have' shows possession or something acquired. By adding a past participle you are informing someone of a past or completed action done by you.

Here are some examples:

"I have done it."
"I have heard that before."
"I have driven a car."
"I have forgotten the words."
"I have read that book."
"I have eaten at that restaurant before."
"I have flown in an airplane."
"I have forgiven you."
"I have seen you before."
"I have written a letter."

I'm trying + (verb)

'I am trying' informs someone that you are attempting to accomplish something using bodily, mental, or spiritual strength. By adding a verb to 'I'm trying' you are pointing out exactly what it is you are attempting to do.

Here are some examples:

"I'm trying to get a job."
"I'm trying to call my family."
"I'm trying to enjoy my dinner."
"I'm trying to educate myself."
"I'm trying to explain myself."
"I'm trying new food."
"I'm trying to eat healthy."
"I'm trying to understand."

You may also hear the word 'trying' used to express a way someone is feeling. In this manner, it expresses strain or distress.

Here are some examples:

"Learning new things can be trying on you."
"That marathon was very trying on me."

I can't help + (verb-ing)

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'd rather + (verb)

'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 don't have time to + (verb)

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."

I'm looking foward to

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."

I have something + (verb)

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 here to + (verb)

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."

I have to + (verb)

The words 'have to' describe something that needs to take place soon. It expresses certainty, necessity, or obligation.

Here are some examples:

"I have to switch schools."
"I have to use the telephone."
"I have to go to the bathroom."
"I have to leave."
"I have to unpack my bags."

You can also add the word 'don't' to suggest that someone is not required to do something.

"I don't have to switch schools."
"I don't have to use the telephone."
"I don't have to go to the bathroom."
"I don't have to leave."
"I don't have to unpack my bags."

I didn't mean to + (verb)

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 was about to + (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 plan to + (verb)

'Plan to' describes something that you would like to do in the near future.

Here are some examples:

"I plan to find a new apartment."
"I plan to relax on vacation."
"I plan to surprise my parents."
"I plan to wash my car."
"I plan to adopt a child."
"I plan to impress my boss."
"I plan to watch a movie."
"I plan to save more money."
"I plan to read a book."
"I plan to learn new things."

I want you to + (verb)

'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."

I'm good at

Again, 'I'm' is used here as 'I am.' 'Good at' informs someone what you excel at and are comfortable doing.

Here are some examples:

"I'm good at drawing."
"I'm good at video games."
"I'm good at swimming."
"I'm good at driving."
"I'm good at reading."
"I'm good at sports."
"I'm good at writing."
"I'm good at math."
"I'm good at dancing."
"I'm good at chess."