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
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm

so tired."
confused."
happy."
twenty three years old."
hungry."
nervous."
excited."
leaving work."
thirsty."
from Seattle."

You can also add descriptive words with

'I'm' such as:
"I'm extremely tired."
"I'm very happy."
"I'm terribly hungry."
"I am super excited."
"I'mverynervous."

I'min/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
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm

in
in
in
in
in

the shower."
the lobby."
a car."
a house."
a school."

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
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm

at
at
at
at
at

the
the
the
the
the

grocery."
mall."
doctor's office."
park."
airport."

However, in some cases you can use 'at'

and 'in' interchangeably.
Here are some examples:
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm

at the mall."
in the mall."
at the park."
in the park."
at the grocery."
in the grocery."

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'mon a bus."

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
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm

good
good
good
good
good

at
at
at
at
at

drawing."
video games."
swimming."
driving."
reading."

"I'm good at sports."

"I'm good at writing."
"I'm good at math."
"I'mgoodat dancing."
"I'mgoodatchess."

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.

"I'm getting good at reading."

"I'm getting a new car."
"I'mgetting a job."
"I'mgetting a puppy."

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:

Here are some examples:
"I'm eating lunch."
"I'm brushing my teeth."
"I'm scared."
"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 amexercising."
"I amsad."
"I amlearning."

I'm getting
When combining the words 'I am' and
'getting' you are telling someone 'you'
are gaining possession, being affected by
or have plans to seek out and obtain a
particular thing.
Here are some examples:
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm

getting
getting
getting
getting
getting
getting

better."
ready for bed."
a tooth ache."
a cold."
married."
tired."

"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm

trying
trying
trying
trying
trying
trying
trying
trying

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

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
"I'm calling to
"I'm calling to
"I'm calling to
restaurant."
"I'm calling to
something."
"I'm calling to
"I'm calling to
"I'm calling to
plans."

tell you about my day."

accept your invitation."
answer your question."
book a reservation at your
complain about
thank you."
support your decision."
remind you of our dinner

"I'm calling to report a lost wallet."

"I'mcalling to receivemyprize."

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 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 sorry to +
(verb)

I'm thinking of +
(verb-ing)
'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 amthinkingofopeningup a store."

Saying you are 'sorry to' expresses a

feeling of sympathy or regret.
Here are some examples:
"I'm sorry
"I'm sorry
mother."
"I'm sorry
"I'm sorry
"I'm sorry
"I'm sorry
decision."
"I'm sorry
"I'm sorry
"I'm sorry

to be so late."
to hear about your sick
to
to
to
to

waste your time."

make you feel so sad."
frighten you."
disagree with your

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:

to call so late."
to admit what I did."
to end this relationship."

"I'm
"I'm
"I'm
"I'm

dying
dying
dying
dying

to
to
to
to

relax on the beach."

pick some fresh fruit."
order some desserts."
find out if I got the job."

"I'm dying
"I'm dying
done."
"I'm dying
"I'm dying
parents."
"I'm dying
"I'm dying
test."

to move to a bigger house."

to look at all the work you've

parts for my car."

to learn more about you."

to introduce you to my
to expand my business."
to check my score on the

I'm having a hard

time + (verb-ing)
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
"I'm having a hard
you."
"I'm having a hard
question."
"I'm having a hard
songs to my iPod."
"I'm having a hard
terms."

time writing."
time understanding
time answering your
time downloading
time agreeing to the

I'm looking forward

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 amlookingforward to runningin a race."

With the addition of an adverb you can

express in more detail just how difficult
something is for you.

I'm here to +
(verb)

Here are some examples:

You are informing someone that you are

at a particular place to accomplish
something.

"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

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'mhere to receivetheaward."

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Greeting Example Conversations

Let's look at several example conversations. Then we can move on to the practice
section.
Person
Person
Person
Person

A:
B:
A:
B:

"Hi, my name is Steve. It's nice to meet you."

"I'm Jack. It's a pleasure to meet you, Steve."
"What do you do for a living Jack?"
"I work at the bank."

Person A: "What is your name?"

Person B: "Jackson."
Person A: "What was that again?"
Person A: "Hey John, how have you been?"
Person B: "What a surprise. I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been?"
Person A: "I'm doing very well. How about you?"
Person B: "I finally have some free time. I just finished taking a big examination, and I'm
so relieved that I'm done with it."
Person A: "Hi Nancy, what have you been up to?"
Person B: " The same as usual. How about you?"
Person A: "I'm pretty busy at work these days, but otherwise, everything is great."
Person
Person
Person
Person

A:
B:
A:
B:

"Andy, it's been a long time, how are you man?"

"What a surprise. I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been?"
"Do you come to this restaurant often?"
"I've been here a couple of times, but I don't come on a regular basis."

Agreeing/disagreeing

-Good! Excellent! Right!

-That's fine! -That's nice!
Expressing approval
-Well done! - Perfect!
-It looks / sounds pretty good!
-I approve of (them / you ...)
-What a success!
-I'm all for it!
-You couldn't have done better!

-You shouldn't do that.

Expressing
disapproval

-You shouldn't have said so.

-It's not very nice.
-You can't do that!
-Must you do that?
-Do you have to do that?
-You wouldn't do that, would you?
-I disapprove / I don't approve (of people / them ...)

-It's wrong / not right to do that / to say so / ...

- It's an absolute disgrace!
-Was it necessary for you to do that?
-I don't like what you do / have done / your friends ...

-Is it all right?

Inquiring about
approval

-Do you think this is all right?

-Do you approve of this?

or
-Do you approve of them doing that?
disapproval

-This is very nice / pleasant.

Expressing
pleasure, liking

-I like (very much) your dog / swimming ...

-I love...x... / playing the piano ...
-It's a very good (play / film ...)
-I'm fond of (music / walking ...)
-I'm keen on (going abroad / the ideas ...)
-He's crazy about (football / music ...)

-This not very nice / pleasant.

Expressing
displeasure, dislike

-I don't like (very much / at all) (that / getting early /

them ..)
-I hate (him / big cars / swimming ...)
-What a horrible (smell / taste ...)
-I'm not very fond of gardening / rock music ...)
-I'm not very / really keen on (riding / dogs ...)
-I can't stand (him / getting up early
I can't bear (doing housework )

-I ou I'd prefer (a cup of ... / sleeping / to go to ...)

Expressing
preference

-I'd rather (read that book / go alone ...)

-I'd rather not (stay / walk / wait ...)
-I'd sooner (do / not do ...)
I like ( bananas ...)

-Which do you prefer?

Inquiring about
preference

-Would you prefer (walking ...)?

-Would you rather (go to the cinema...) rather than
(walking / stay at home ...)?

-I don't mind / I don't care.

Expressing
indifference

-It doesn't matter.

-Who cares?
-It's got nothing to do with me.
-It's none of my business.
It's no concern of mine.
-I have no preference.

-I'm sorry to insist but ....

Insisting

-I insist on (going over there / having a nap ...)

-It's absolutely essential (you look at me ...)
-It must be said that ...
-What matters is to keep the receipt / to answer
immediately

-This is a surprise!
Expressing surprise

-What a surprise!
-It's surprising!
-It's incredible!
-It's impossible!
-How very... (strange / surprising ...)

-Isn't it / wasn't it (extraordinary...)?

-It can't be true! / I can't believe it!
-Well; I never!
-How amazing!

-That's a (great) pity / shame!

Expressing regret ,
disappointment

-It's a pity / shame (it happened today / he couldn't do

it...)
-I'm very sorry (to have upset you ...)
-I wish (you hadn't left so quickly / I'd stayed a little
longer)
-How I regret ( buying that bicycle ...)
-I'm / I was very disappointed.
-It is / it was a real blow.
-It is / it was a great disappointment.
-I had hoped (she'd come ... )

-I'm afraid of cats.

Expressing fear or
worry

-I'm worried about Laurent / the money ...

-I was (absolutely) terrified / (so) scared / terribly
frightened.
-The worrying / frightening thing is (he can't walk ...)
-I was shaking with fear.

Click on words to build sentences. Click on boxes to start again.