Nervousness is a common feeling that everyone experiences at some point, whether it’s before a big presentation, a job interview, or a major life event. There are various expressions in English to describe this state of mind, each used in certain contexts. Let's explore some common phrases that people use to express nervousness. 1. To be a nervous wreck - This idiom means to be extremely anxious or worried, often to the point of being visibly upset or unable to function normally.
2. To have butterflies in one's stomach - This phrase describes the fluttery feeling in the stomach that often accompanies nervousness or anxiety.
3. To be on edge - Being on edge means feeling tense, anxious, or irritable, often because someone is anticipating that something bad may happen.
4. To have or get (the) jitters - Having the jitters or getting the jitters refers to feeling nervous, often in a way that makes one feel physically shaky.
5. To be a bundle of nerves/to suffer from nerves - These two expressions describe being very nervous, usually in a way that makes someone feel tense and restless. Take note that the word 'nerves' in this context refers to worry or anxiety.
6. To lose one's nerve - If someone loses their nerve, they panic and become too afraid to do something that they were about to do. 'Nerve' in this expression would mean courage or confidence = to lose one's courage.
7. To sweat bullets - This idiom means to be extremely nervous or anxious, often causing physical symptoms like sweating, especially having large beads of sweat on your face and skin.
8. To have one’s heart in one’s mouth - This phrase describes the sensation of extreme nervousness or fear, where it feels like your heart is pounding in your throat.
9. To be a 'Nervous Nellie' - A Nervous Nellie is someone who is excessively worried or anxious about things, often more than is necessary.
10. To get cold feet - This expression is used when someone feels nervous and frightened, often just before doing something that he or she had planned to do. It is similar to the previous expression "to lose one's nerve."
How about the opposite? Of course a discussion about nervousness wouldn't be complete without phrases to talk about the opposite which is staying calm and collected. Here are some expressions for that: 1. To calm or steady one's nerves - This means to make someone feel calmer or less nervous.
2. To keep or hold one's nerve/s - This phrase describes remaining calm and composed in a difficult situation.
3. To get ahold of oneself - This expression emphasizes getting control of ones' emotions after a big shock or after being upset.
Whether you are a nervous wreck or just have a few butterflies in your stomach, it would be to your advantage to try to calm down and get ahold of your emotions. Try out these phrases when describing the intensity and nature of your anxiety to others. Practicing these expressions will express your emotions more vividly and surely goes beyond just saying "I'm nervous." Image by cookie_studio on Freepik
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"Congratulations" is a word used to express joy, pride, or approval when someone achieves something significant or reaches a milestone. The Cambridge Dictionary defines "congratulations" as "an expression communicating to someone how pleased you are about his or her success or happiness."
Note: The plural "Congratulations" with an -s is used 99% of the time--unless you're writing or saying a phrase like "a note of congratulation"--because, as one author said, why be stingy with just one 'congratulation'? Understandably, because there are many occasions and causes for people to find success or happiness, English learners tend to get confused about when they can say "Congratulations!" For example, I sometimes see comments on YouTube videos around the likes of "Great video! Congratulations!" Someone once sent me a greeting on Teacher's Day with the message of "Happy Teacher's Day! Congratulations!" While I sincerely appreciated the message, and also recognize that people who leave "congratulations" in YouTube comments are sincerely sending well-wishes, I've realized that learners have mistakenly understood "Congratulations" as an all-around remark to express admiration or satisfaction, which is not really the proper use of this word. Let's then look at when it is appropriate to say "Congratulations" as well as when it NOT proper to do so. Appropriate Occasions to Say "Congratulations" 1. Academic Achievements:
2. Professional Milestones:
3. Personal Achievements:
4. Awards and Competitions:
When NOT to Say "Congratulations" 1. Don't use "congratulations" as an all-around happy greeting.
2. Don't use "congratulations" in sensitive situations such as:
Anything involving manners and etiquette requires sensitivity and even more so when dealing with different cultures and speaking in another language. Hopefully, this article was helpful in at least sorting out when it is proper to say "congratulations." Please feel free to leave a comment if you have questions. Which sentence is correct between these two:
If your answer was b, you got it right! So what's the difference? Advice /ədˈvɑɪs/ or /ad-vahys/ is a noun that means a recommendation or suggestion about what to do or how to handle a situation. Advice is something that we get from friends, bosses, or lawyers. Advise /ədˈvɑɪz/ or /ad-vahyz/ is a verb that means 'to offer an opinion or suggestion' or in other words, to give advice to someone. Advise is something that we do. Note that they also sound a little differently. Advice is pronounced with an /s/ sound, as in “ice,” while the verb advise is pronounced with a /z/ sound like the “-ize” in "size". Regarding their different forms: Advice is uncountable so we would never say 'advices'. We can, however, say pieces of advice. Advise, on the other hand, is a regular verb with the usual past, present and future tenses: advised, advise, will advise. Let's have some examples and common expressions: 1. People run away from her at parties because she's always giving unsolicited advice. Unsolicited advice refers to advise that is being given without being asked, and is therefore usually unwanted. 2. I usually avoid telling people that I'm a lawyer because people always try to ask for free legal advice. 3. His manager advised him to accept the terms being offered in the contract. 4. Please advise your students to upload requirements through the official website. 5. That's dangerous. I wouldn't advise you to do that. Exercises: Advice or advise? 1. She took the trip against her doctor's __________________. 2. The team manager should ________________ his team members about the appropriate steps to be taken. 3. I will ask Prof. Norton to ____________ us on how to proceed. 4. I could always count on him for good _____________________. 5. Experts _____________ that hours spent by kids in front of a screen should be limited. |
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