Welcome! Let’s Talk About Feelings
Communicating with others isn’t just about sharing facts; it is about sharing who we are. In this chapter, we will learn how to tell people when we are happy, how to say "sorry" when we make a mistake, and how to cheer for our friends. These are the building blocks of real communication!
1. Using Adjectives to Describe Feelings
The simplest way to express a feeling is to use a "feeling word" (an adjective). In English, we usually use the SVC structure: Subject (I) + Verb (am/feel) + Complement (happy).
Common Feeling Words:
• Happy / Glad: Use these when things are going well.
• Sad / Lonely: Use these when you feel down.
• Excited: Use this when you are looking forward to something, like a school trip!
• Nervous: Use this before a speech or a big game.
• Tired / Sleepy: Use these after a long day of studying.
• Surprised: Use this when something unexpected happens.
Pro-tip: Instead of just using the "be" verb (am, is, are), you can use other verbs to show how you feel:
• I feel nervous.
• You look happy!
• That sounds great!
2. The "Function" of Feelings: What to Say and When
English speakers use specific phrases to perform "functions" like apologizing or praising. Here are the most common ones you need to know:
A. Giving Thanks (禮を言う)
Showing gratitude makes everyone feel good!
• Thank you for your help.
• I’m very glad to hear that.
B. Apologizing (謝る)
When we make a mistake, we should be clear and sincere.
• I’m sorry I’m late.
• I’m sorry to hear that. (Use this to show sympathy when something bad happens to a friend).
C. Praising and Welcoming (褒める・歓迎する)
To be a good friend, learn to celebrate others!
• Good job! / Well done!
• You are a great singer!
• Welcome to our school!
D. Expressing Complaints or Worries (苦情・不安)
Sometimes we need to express "negative" feelings politely.
• I’m a little worried about the test.
• I’m sorry, but it’s a bit noisy here.
3. Advanced Ways to Express Feelings
As you get more comfortable with English, you can use these special sentence patterns to give more detail about your emotions.
Using "It makes me..." (SVOC)
Sometimes a thing or an event causes a feeling. You can use this pattern: Subject + make + Object + Adjective.
• This movie makes me sad.
• Playing soccer makes me happy.
Exclamations (感嘆文)
When you feel a very strong emotion, you can use "What" or "How" to show excitement!
• What a beautiful day! (Used with a noun)
• How kind you are! (Used with an adjective)
The "That" Clause
You can explain why you feel a certain way by adding a sentence after the adjective.
• I am surprised that you know my name.
• I am happy that you liked my gift.
4. Quick Review & Common Mistakes
Check your "-ed" and "-ing"!
One common mistake is mixing up words like excited and exciting.
• Use -ed for your own feelings: I am excited.
• Use -ing for the thing that causes the feeling: The game is exciting.
Key Takeaways:
1. Use SVC structures like "I feel..." or "You look..." to describe feelings.
2. Use SVOC like "It makes me happy" to show what caused the feeling.
3. Use Exclamations like "How wonderful!" for strong emotions.
4. Remember to be polite when apologizing or complaining!
Note: For more information on using these words in conversations, see the chapter on "Keeping communication going". To learn more about describing things, check out "Giving facts and information".