Spoken sentence frames

Native speakers often start or steer a sentence with set phrases like The thing is…, What I mean is…, It's worth… They tell the listener what kind of thing is coming (a problem, an explanation, a request…) and give you a moment to think. Learn each one as a whole chunk, together with the form that follows it.

1. The thing is… / The problem is… — bringing up a problem, often an awkward reason

• I'd love to come. The thing is, I don't have a car.

• The problem is, nobody knows the password.

2. The point is… — bringing the conversation back to the main idea

• I know it's expensive, but the point is, it will last for years.

3. What I mean is… / What I'm trying to say is… — explaining again when you weren't understood

• I didn't say it was bad. What I mean is, it could be shorter.

• What I'm trying to say is, we need more time.

4. It's not that… It's just that… — softening what you say so you don't upset anyone

• It's not that I don't like your cooking. It's just that I'm not very hungry.

5. I was wondering if… — asking or requesting very politely. The past tense here doesn't mean the past; it makes the request softer. Could / would usually follow.

• I was wondering if you could help me with my CV.

• I was wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner.

💡Say the frame as one smooth chunk, then pause briefly before the main idea: “The thing is, | I don't have a car.” The pause gets the listener's attention and gives you time to think. Don't overuse them, though — a frame in every sentence sounds unnatural.

• It's worth + -ing = it's a good idea, it will repay your time. Not to + verb. When the subject is a thing, don't repeat it at the end: The film is worth watching (not: worth watching it). Short form: It's worth it.
• There's no point (in) + -ing / It's no use + -ing = it won't help. In informal speech in can be dropped: There's no point arguing.
• can't / couldn't help + -ing = can't stop yourself. You can also say can't help but + base form (I couldn't help but laugh), but don't mix the two.
• look forward to + -ing / noun = be happy about something in the future. The to is a preposition (see “Preposition + -ing”). I look forward to… is formal (emails); I'm looking forward to… is friendlier.

• It's worth trying the street food here.

  not: worth to try

• There's no point in calling her now. She's asleep.

• When he fell off his chair, I couldn't help laughing.

• I'm really looking forward to seeing you at the weekend.

• can't wait + to + verb = very excited: I can't wait to see my family. (Compare look forward to + -ing.)
• It's time + to + verb = now is the moment; It's time for + person + to + verb; It's (about / high) time + subject + past verb = this should have happened already — the verb is past in form but present in meaning.
• I'd rather not + base form = a polite way to say you don't want to: I'd rather not talk about it.
• It turns out (that) + clause = you discovered something surprising; No wonder + clause = that explains it.

• Tet is next week, and I can't wait to see my family.

• It's late. It's time to go home.

• It's about time you told her the truth.

  told: past form, present meaning

• It turns out Minh is Lan's cousin.

• You didn't sleep last night? No wonder you're tired.

• To be honest, … — before a frank opinion: To be honest, I didn't enjoy the film.
• If you ask me, … / The way I see it, … — giving your personal opinion: If you ask me, it's too expensive.
• Having said that, … / On the other hand, … — adding the other side: The flat is small. Having said that, it's in a great area.
• By the way, … — changing the subject: By the way, did you get my message?
• At the end of the day, … — what matters most in the end: At the end of the day, your health is what matters.
• I'm afraid (that) … / I'm afraid so / I'm afraid not — giving bad news politely: I'm afraid I can't come.

💡A common slip is As far as I concern. The correct phrase is As far as I'm concerned, … = in my opinion / as for me.

• ✗It's worth to try the street food here.

  ✓It's worth trying the street food here.

  Worth + -ing.

• ✗There's no point to argue with him.

  ✓There's no point (in) arguing with him.

  No point (in) + -ing.

• ✗I can't wait seeing you.

  ✓I can't wait to see you.

  Can't wait + to + verb.

• ✗I look forward to hear from you.

  ✓I look forward to hearing from you.

  The to in look forward to is a preposition → -ing.

• ✗It's time we go home.

  ✓It's time to go home. / It's time we went home.

  It's time + to + verb, or + a past clause.

• ✗I couldn't help but laughing.

  ✓I couldn't help laughing. / I couldn't help but laugh.

  Help + -ing, or help but + base form.