Hey there! This is TOP episode 227. How to talk about REGRETS
Are you tired of lacking confidence when speaking English? Does it block you from achieving your true goals? This podcast is the place for you. This is Teacher Ola Podcast. My name’s Ola Mierniczak, I’m a teacher empowering English learners to become confident speakers. The key to fluency is in your pocket. Join my TOPeople newsletter for weekly motivation and free materials. Enjoy your journey to fluency!
Hey there! Welcome to our the end of the year episode. The end of the year is for many people a time for summing up the year. How was your 2023? It’s great to focus on positives, count your blessing so to speak. Nevertheless many people like to learn from their mistakes and talk about their regrets. How to talk about our regrets that took place in the past? Let’s focus on that today.
Before we jump into today’s episode I’d like to invite to another live training I’m going to give you for free. It’s going to be all about tenses. I’ll be giving not just one but a 3-day free training on grammar. Past, present and future. 3-day tenses masterclass! Sign up now! Go to teacherola.com/webinar. It’s on the 22, 23, 24 January 2024. And now let’s get back to the episode.
Today we’re going to learn about 4 ways of expressing regrets from past. Let’s take a look at the first one:
I regret doing or not doing something. In this structure we have to use the gerund, that is the verb with -ing ending. Let’s take a look at few examples. Listen and repeat after me. Well, I hope you have no regrets from the year that is coming to an end, yet please repeat:
I regret not spending time with my youngest sister.
I regret getting angry at my family.
She regrets getting into a fight with her best friend.
They regret not following their dreams.
Well done. I regret doing/not doing something. Let’s see the second way of expressing regret.
The second way of expressing regret is with the use of past of modal. I should have done it. I shouldn’t have done it. So what you do here is you take the modal verb ‘should’ add HAVE and finally the verb in its third form. I should have done it. And now let;s practice, 4 example sentences:
I should have said that I disagree with them.
I shouldn’t have made that decision without thinking it through.
I should have told the truth.
I shouldn’t have bought such an expensive toaster.
Fabulous! There are two more ways of expressing regrets we’re going to discuss, so let’s go on.
The third way is this: I wish I had done it. I wish I hadn’t done it. So it’s basically wish + past perfect. I wish I had done it. Past perfect consists of had and the verb in its third form. I wish I had done it. A few examples for you to repeat right away:
I wish I had taken a taxi.
I wish I hadn’t taken myself too seriously.
I wish I had been more open to things.
I wish I hadn’t pissed away my twenties.
Awesome! One more way of talking about regrets! Do you want to hear it? Let’s reveal it.
The fourth way of speaking about regrets is If only I had done it. If only I hadn’t done it. That’s right. If only is followed by past perfect if you speak about past of course. So it’s if only + had + verb in its third form. If only I had done it. Four example sentences and please repeat after me and don’t forget to say it out loud:
If only I had taken a gap year before college.
If only I hadn’t wasted so much time.
If only I had known how wonderful I was.
If only I hadn’t said those mean things.
I’m sure you learned a lot today, if you feel that I helped you a little today with mastering your grammar let me know! Reach out to me on Instagram, or Facebook, it’ll be very nice of you. Now, do not forget to complete the Worksheet for this episode. It’s available at teacherola.com/227.
Sign up for a 3-day free training, 3-day tenses masterclass where you’ll learn how to choose tenses properly! Sign up at teacherola.com/webinar. Thank you so much for listening and learning with me! I’ll be back next year, ha ha, until then, stay fearless, say it out loud and happy new year! May 2024 bring you an abundance of joy, positivity, and confidence. Thank you for being a part of our podcast community. My name’s Ola Mierniczak, and you were listening to Teacher Ola Podcast. Bye for now!