Expressing feelings: talking about regrets and annoyances
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Think about these questions before reading the article. Share your ideas with a partner.
- Think about a small decision from your past you wish you could change. What is it, and why would you change it?
- What are some common things that people do in public that you find annoying, for example, on a bus or in a restaurant?
- When you feel annoyed with a friend, do you prefer to talk about it immediately or wait until you feel calmer? Explain your choice.
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A Missed Opportunity
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
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Answer the questions below in your own words, using information from the article.
01Why is Marco upset at the beginning of the dialogue?
Sample answerHe is upset because he waited too long to buy tickets for his favorite band's concert and now they are sold out.
02What is the second thing that is annoying Marco?
Sample answerHis noisy neighbours are also annoying him.
03How does Marco express his regret about the tickets using 'wish'?
Sample answerHe says, 'I wish I had bought the tickets last week.'
04Which two idioms from the dialogue mean 'to be annoyed'?
Sample answerThe idioms are 'kicking myself' and 'gets on my nerves'.
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Key vocabulary for expressing feelings
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about regrets and annoyances.
Examples
To kick oneself — to feel very annoyed with yourself for doing something stupid or missing a chance.
Usage note: This is an informal idiom. For example: 'I could have kicked myself when I realised I forgot her birthday.'
To get on someone's nerves — to annoy someone a lot, especially by doing something repeatedly.
Usage note: Common in everyday, informal conversation. For example: 'His constant complaining is starting to get on my nerves.'
To be fed up with something — to feel bored, unhappy, or annoyed with a situation that has continued for too long.
Usage note: This is a common phrasal expression. You can say, 'I'm fed up with waiting for the bus in the rain.'
A missed opportunity — a good chance that you did not use, which you now regret.
Usage note: This collocation is useful in both spoken and written English. For example: 'Not applying for that job was a real missed opportunity.'
If only... — a phrase used to express a strong wish or regret that things could be different.
Usage note: This is a powerful way to express regret, often about the past. It follows the same grammar rules as 'wish'. Example: 'If only I had listened to your advice.'
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Vocabulary for feelings and regrets
Learn some new words and phrases to talk about how you feel.
Match the words and phrases on the left with their definitions on the right.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Grammar: Using 'wish' for regrets and annoyances
Grammar
We use the verb 'wish' to talk about things we would like to be different in the present or the past. It's a common way to express feelings of regret, sadness, or annoyance about a situation that is unlikely or impossible to change.
Examples
I wish I had more time to relax.
Use 'wish + past simple' to talk about a present situation you want to be different.
He wishes he hadn't eaten so much cake. He feels terrible now.
Use 'wish + past perfect' (had + past participle) to express a regret about something in the past.
I wish my neighbours would stop making so much noise.
Use 'wish + would' to talk about an annoying habit that you want someone else to change.
Key points
- For present wishes, use the past simple: 'I wish I knew the answer.'
- For past regrets, use the past perfect: 'I wish I had called you yesterday.'
- Common mistake: Don't use the present tense after 'wish'. Say 'I wish I was...' not 'I wish I am...'
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Find the mistake
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01I wish I have more free time to spend with my family.
Corrected version
I wish I have had more free time to spend with my family.
02He really gets on my nerve when he talks during the movie.
Corrected version
He really gets on my nerve nerves when he talks during the movie.
03She wishes she didn't buy that expensive dress last week.
Corrected version
She wishes she didn't buy hadn't bought that expensive dress last week.
04I'm completely fed up of the constant rain this month.
Corrected version
I'm completely fed up of with the constant rain this month.
05If only I study harder for the exam, I would have passed.
Corrected version
If only I study had studied harder for the exam, I would have passed.
06I wish my brother will stop borrowing my clothes without asking.
Corrected version
I wish my brother will would stop borrowing my clothes without asking.
07Not going to the concert was a big missed opportune.
Corrected version
Not going to the concert was a big missed opportune. opportunity.
08I feel so annoy when people are late for meetings.
Corrected version
I feel so annoy annoyed when people are late for meetings.
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Useful phrases: making a polite complaint
Vocabulary
Sometimes things go wrong with a service or a product you've bought. Here are some useful phrases to express your dissatisfaction politely and clearly, without sounding rude.
Examples
I'm sorry to bother you, but... — a polite way to start a complaint.
Register: Neutral/Formal. Use this to begin the conversation in a friendly, non-aggressive way when speaking to a waiter, shop assistant, or customer service representative.
There seems to be a problem with... — a soft way to introduce the specific issue.
Register: Neutral/Formal. This is less direct than 'There is a problem'. For example, 'There seems to be a problem with the Wi-Fi in my room'.
To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed. — a clear but polite way to express dissatisfaction.
Register: Neutral. This shows you are unhappy without being aggressive. You can add 'with...' to be more specific, e.g., '...with the service'.
I wish I had known about this earlier. — to express regret about a situation you can't change.
Register: Neutral. This connects to the lesson's grammar. Use it when something unexpected happens, like a closed facility at a hotel. 'The pool is closed? I wish I had known about this earlier'.
I was wondering if you could...? — an indirect way to ask for a solution.
Register: Neutral/Formal. This is much softer than saying 'I want you to...'. For example, 'I was wondering if you could find us a different table?'
It's just that... — to explain the reason for your complaint in a softer way.
Register: Informal/Neutral. Use this after you've introduced the topic to give more detail. 'My soup is cold.' 'I'm sorry.' 'It's just that I've been waiting for 20 minutes'.
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A frustrating travel story
Read the short story about a bad travel experience.
Fill in each blank with the correct word or phrase from the word bank.
Word bank
I was so excited about our holiday, but it started terribly. My friend was an hour late, and we missed our flight. It was a huge because the next flight wasn't until the next day. I really wish he had been on time. Now, I have to myself for not just taking a taxi to the airport alone. His constant excuses really started to my nerves. I'm completely with his lateness. I had booked an earlier flight!
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- In your culture, how do people usually show that they are annoyed? Is it considered polite to say directly that something 'gets on your nerves', or do people express it in other ways?
- Some people say, 'No regrets!' and believe we shouldn't think about the past. Others believe reflecting on missed opportunities is important for personal growth. Which view do you agree with more, and why?
- Imagine a friend tells you they are fed up with their job but are too scared to look for a new one. What advice would you give them? Do you think they might kick themselves in the future if they don't take a chance?