10 Mistakes People Make Talking About Feelings — Easy English Conversation

Transcript

Introduction

A: Yesterday we learned twelve ways to say how you feel. Today we’re fixing ten mistakes people often make when they talk about feelings.

B: Four of them are small grammar problems — a missing word, or a word that doesn’t belong. The other six are pairs of words that are easy to mix up.

A: Listen for these six: It makes me feel, I’m worried, nervous or annoyed, sensitive or sensible, embarrassed or ashamed, and tired of or tired from.

B: After the ten, there’s a short practice where you answer out loud.

A: You can practice today’s phrases in Recursio — link in the description.

Four small grammar fixes

B: Let’s start with grammar. Number one, and you hear it a lot: “This song makes me to feel happy.”

A: That sounds fine to me. What’s wrong with it?

B: One small word. After “make” with a person, English uses the verb without “to.” So it’s “This song makes me feel happy.”

A: “It makes me feel happy.” No “to.”

B: Right. The same with other verbs: “It makes me laugh.” “He made me wait.” “Don’t make me cry.”

A: But I’m sure I’ve seen “to” after “make” somewhere.

B: You have — in the passive. “I was made to feel welcome” is a normal sentence, and that form needs “to.” Here we’re using the active form: “It makes me feel nervous.” “That movie made me feel old.”

A: Okay. Number two.

B: Number two is the one from today’s short video: “I’m worry about my sister.”

A: Oh, I think I’ve said that.

B: Lots of people do. “Worry” is a verb, or a noun. When you describe how you feel, you need the adjective: worried, with -ed. “I’m worried about my sister.”

A: “I’m worried about my sister.” And can I use the verb at all?

B: Of course — without “am.” “I worry about my sister” can describe a regular concern. “I’m worried about her today” focuses on how I feel now.

A: So “I worry about money” is my life, and “I’m worried about this bill” is today.

B: That’s a great way to put it. And you can also say “Don’t worry” — that’s the verb again, no “be.”

A: Number three.

B: Something bad happens — the concert is canceled — and someone says, “It’s pity.”

A: It’s missing something.

B: One little word: “a.” “It’s a pity.” Or “What a pity.”

A: “It’s a pity you can’t come.”

B: Perfect. And in everyday American conversation, you’ll also hear “That’s too bad” or “It’s a shame” very often. They mean the same thing.

A: “It’s a shame” — isn’t “shame” a strong word?

B: On its own, it can be — we’ll come back to it in a minute. But “It’s a shame” just means “that’s sad” or “that’s too bad.” “It’s a shame the café closed.”

A: Number four, the last grammar one.

B: You call a friend who moved to another city, and you say, “I miss for you.”

A: “For” doesn’t belong there?

B: No. “Miss” goes straight to the person: “I miss you.” “I miss my family.” “We miss our old apartment.”

A: “I miss you.” Short and simple.

B: And very common in messages. “I’m missing you” is also possible, but “I miss you” is the simple, usual choice.

A: I once said “I’m bored without you” to a friend.

B: That’s not wrong, but it means something different. “I’m bored without you” means life is not interesting when you’re away. “I miss you” means you want to see that person again. Usually, “I miss you” is the kind one.

Words that look familiar

A: Now the word pairs. And I think these are harder.

B: They are, because the mistake isn’t in the grammar. The sentence sounds correct, but it means something else. Number five: nervous or annoyed.

A: What’s the problem here?

B: In some languages, there’s a word like “nervous” that means “easily angry” or “irritated.” So people say, “My boss was very nervous today,” and they mean he was angry and short with everyone.

A: And in English?

B: In English, “nervous” usually means worried or uneasy. “I’m nervous about my interview.” “She’s nervous before every flight.”

A: And when my boss is irritated?

B: “Annoyed.” “My boss was annoyed today.” Or “He was in a bad mood” — we had that phrase yesterday. Nervous is about worry; annoyed is about irritation.

A: So “nervous” is before a test, and “annoyed” is when someone keeps clicking a pen.

B: Exactly. And yesterday’s phrase fits here, too: that pen really gets on my nerves. It’s about being annoyed, even though it has the word “nerves” in it.

A: That’s a little confusing.

B: It is. Just remember the two simple words: nervous — worried before something; annoyed — irritated by something.

A: Number six.

B: Sensitive or sensible. These words are easy to mix up if you know a similar word in another language.

A: Because in those languages, “sensible” means…

B: In Spanish and French, a word written “sensible” can mean sensitive. German has the similar word “sensibel.” In English, “sensible” means practical, with good judgment. “That’s a sensible plan.”

A: So a sensible person makes good decisions. And a sensitive person?

B: A sensitive person feels things strongly. “He’s very sensitive — sad movies make him cry.” Or “She’s sensitive about her age,” which means it’s easy to upset her with that topic.

A: Can “sensitive” also be positive?

B: Very much. “He’s sensitive to how other people feel” means he notices their feelings. It depends on the sentence.

A: I like that one. Number seven.

B: Embarrassed or ashamed. And Spanish speakers, please be careful: “embarazada” means pregnant, not embarrassed.

A: That could be a very surprising sentence.

B: It could. So: “embarrassed” is the hot, awkward feeling when something silly happens in front of other people. You fall on the stairs. You call your teacher “Mom.”

A: I did that once.

B: Then you know the feeling. “Ashamed” is stronger and more serious. You often feel it because you did something wrong — you lied, you were unkind.

A: So: “I was so embarrassed when I fell.” And “I’m ashamed that I lied to her.”

B: Exactly. Embarrassed is usually about a silly or awkward moment. Ashamed is about doing something wrong.

A: And that’s why “shame” is a strong word on its own.

B: Right. “Shame on you!” is serious. But “It’s a shame” from number three is just “that’s too bad.”

A: Quick tip before the last group. If you mix up pairs like these, save them in Recursio and review them later.

Pairs that overlap

B: The last three pairs are different. The two words really overlap, so it’s not about “right” and “wrong” — it’s about what fits best.

A: That sounds easier.

B: A bit. Number eight: jealous or envious.

A: I always thought they were the same.

B: In everyday speech, they often are. If your friend is going to Hawaii, you can say, “I’m so jealous!” It’s friendly, it’s common, and nobody will think you’re angry.

A: So where’s the mistake?

B: “Jealous” has another meaning that “envious” usually doesn’t have. In a relationship, “jealous” can mean you’re afraid of losing someone to another person. “He gets jealous when she talks to other men.”

A: And “envious”?

B: “Envious” is about wanting what someone else has — their car, their job, their vacation. It sounds a little more serious, or written. “She was envious of her sister’s success.”

A: So for a friend’s vacation, “I’m so jealous” is fine. For relationships, I need “jealous,” and “envious” doesn’t fit there.

B: That’s a very good summary.

A: Number nine.

B: Upset or angry. People often use “angry” for every bad feeling. “My friend didn’t call me on my birthday. I’m angry.”

A: Is that wrong?

B: Not wrong, but maybe too strong. “Angry” is a hot, strong feeling. “Upset” is softer and wider: you’re unhappy, a little hurt, maybe a little angry too.

A: “I’m upset that she didn’t call.”

B: Yes, that sounds more natural for a hurt feeling. And people use “upset” for many things: “He was upset about the news.” “Don’t be upset — it wasn’t your fault.”

A: And when it’s really angry?

B: Then “angry” is the right word. “The customers were angry about the long wait.” And remember, from yesterday, “upset” is also one of the moments when someone might ask you, “What’s wrong?”

A: Last one. Number ten.

B: Tired of or tired from. One small word, and the meaning changes a lot.

A: Go on.

B: “Tired from” means you need rest because of something you did. “I’m tired from work.” “We’re tired from the long drive.”

A: And “tired of”?

B: “Tired of” means you’ve had enough of something. It’s like yesterday’s phrase, “fed up with.” “I’m tired of this rain.” “I’m tired of waiting.”

A: So “I’m tired from work” means work left me needing a rest.

B: And “I’m tired of my job” means I’m bored with it or frustrated by it.

A: That’s a very big difference for two little words.

B: It is. And you can use both at once: “I’m tired from the gym, but I’m not tired of it.”

One phone call

A: Let’s hear a few of them together. I’ll call you. You moved away last month.

B: Okay. Hello?

A: Hi! It’s me. I miss you!

B: I miss you, too. How’s everything?

A: Honestly? I’m tired from work, and I’m a bit tired of my job.

B: Oh no. Is your boss still annoyed all the time?

A: Almost every day. And I have a big presentation on Monday. I’m a little nervous about it.

B: Has he given you enough time to prepare?

A: Not really. He changed the slides twice this morning. I’m worried he’ll change them again on Monday.

B: That would annoy me, too. But you know the material. Remember last year’s presentation?

A: Last year I called the client by the wrong name. I was so embarrassed.

B: But they still said yes! It wasn’t a big deal.

A: True. How about you? How’s the new city?

B: Good, but it’s a pity you can’t come for my birthday next month.

A: I know. It makes me feel bad. Are you angry with me?

B: No. I’m a little upset, but I know it’s a long trip. I wanted you to meet my new friends.

A: I’d like that, too. Maybe I can come another weekend, even if I miss the birthday party.

B: That would be lovely. They already know how much you like old bookstores. There’s one around the corner from me.

A: I’m so jealous of your new place, by the way. It looks amazing in the photos.

B: Then come and see it!

A: Maybe I will. My sensible side says I should save money.

B: And your sensitive side?

A: My sensitive side says I miss my friend.

B: Then listen to that one. You could check flight prices for November.

A: I don’t want to promise until I know what it costs.

B: That’s sensible. If the trip doesn’t work out, we can have a long video call on my birthday.

A: Deal. I’ll check the prices tonight and let you know.

B: Great. It makes me feel better just thinking about it.

A: Me too. Talk soon!

B: Talk soon. And good luck on Monday — try not to be too nervous.

A: So that’s most of today’s ten in one phone call.

B: Now it’s your turn.

Practice

A: Here’s how it works. I’ll give you a situation. Answer out loud in the pause, then listen to our answer. First one: a friend can’t come to your party. What could you say about that, and how it makes you feel?

B: It’s a pity. It makes me feel sad.

A: After “makes me,” use “feel” without “to.”

B: Next one. Your sister lives far away, and you have an exam tomorrow. What two short sentences could you write to her about your feelings?

A: I miss you. I’m worried about my exam.

B: “Miss” goes straight to the person, and “worried” needs -ed.

A: Your coworker clicks a pen all day, and you have an interview tomorrow. Which word fits each feeling: annoyed or nervous?

B: Annoyed by the pen, nervous about the interview.

A: “Annoyed” is irritation; “nervous” is worry.

B: You called your teacher “Mom” in front of the class, and later you lied to a friend. Which feeling fits each moment: embarrassed or ashamed?

A: Embarrassed about the awkward moment; ashamed that I lied.

B: The second feeling is more serious.

A: One friend makes careful plans. Another is easily moved by sad movies. Which word fits each friend: sensible or sensitive?

B: The careful friend is sensible; the other is sensitive.

A: “Sensible” is practical; “sensitive” is about feelings.

B: Last one. You worked twelve hours today, and you’ve eaten the same sandwich every day for a month. Which fits each case: tired from or tired of?

A: I’m tired from work. I’m tired of that sandwich.

B: The first means you need rest; the second means you’ve had enough.

Outro

A: Today we fixed four grammar patterns and six word pairs. Remember: nervous isn’t the same as annoyed, and tired from isn’t the same as tired of.

B: Those small choices can change what your listener understands. Try the phrases again when you talk about your own day.

A: Open the link below and practice them in Recursio.

B: See you in the next one.