Conversational structures – speaking conversational English is usually just about knowing the right thing to say in any given situation.
Common Conversational Structures in English
- Do you want me to + (verb)
Meaning:
To ‘want’ is to feel or have a desire for. When saying ‘Do you want me to’ you’re asking someone if there is anything you can do for them or assist them with.
Examples:
Do you want me to pick up the kids?
Do you want me to fix your flat tire?
- You could have + (past participle)
Meaning:
Using ‘could have’ you are speaking about something that was, should be or would be. You are stating that they had other options that could have been chosen.
Examples:
You could have completed it sooner.
You could have done better on your exam.
You could have blown your chance.
You could have given more time to get ready.
- If I were you, I would + (verb)
Meaning:
Here you are giving an example of what decision YOU would do given the circumstances. This can be in past tense or in a conditional present.
Examples:
If I were you, I would enjoy my vacation.
If I were you, I would answer the question.
If I were you, I would have enjoyed my vacation.
If I were you, I would have explained what happened. (PAST TENSE)
- Are you into + (noun)
Meaning:
Here you are asking a question about what an interest they might have or something they might enjoy doing.
Examples:
Are you into soccer?
Are you into scary movies?
Are you into trying new things?
Are you into playing games?
Are you into wine tasting?
Are you into jogging?
- That’s why + (subject + verb)
Meaning:
‘That’s’ is short for ‘that is’. Here you are telling someone ‘because of this’ or ‘therefore’.
Examples:
That’s why people admire you.
That’s why she appears so happy.
That’s why you fail to understand.
- It’s gonna be + (adjective)
Meaning:
You’re informing someone what something is going to be like. This could be something you are going to do, see or feel.
Examples:
It’s gonna be easy.
It’s gonna be depressing.
- It looks like + (noun)
Meaning:
You could be describing how something is similar or appears to be by the way it looks.
Examples:
It looks like a jellyfish.
It looks like a banana.
It looks like it’s going to rain.
It looks like they are leaving.
- It takes + (time) + to + (verb)
Meaning:
You are letting someone know how long it will take to do a particular thing.
Examples:
It takes one hour to get there.
It takes forty-five minutes for me to get ready.
It takes me one hour to cook.
- Here’s to + (noun)
Meaning:
‘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.
Examples:
Here’s to the winner!
Here’s to your marriage!
Here’s to the New Year!
Here’s to great friends!
- It’s no use + (verb-ing)
Meaning:
It’s a contraction for ‘it is’. By stating ‘it’s no use’ you are saying that what you or someone else is doing is not recommended or uncalled for.
Examples:
It’s no use crying.
It’s no use separating them.
It’s no use talking to her.
It’s no use cleaning up.
- Rumor has it that + (subject + verb)
Meaning:
‘Rumor has it’ is an expression used when suggesting you might have heard something or read about something that is taking place now or in the future. A rumor is not fact.
Examples:
Rumor has it that she cheated on him.
Rumor has it that you like to paint.
Rumor has it that he will not return.
Common Conversational Structures in English | Image
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Sulaiman Rokhan
Monday 15th of March 2021
I want to tell you share some useful and interesting things.