"HAVE" expressions to sound natural in English - Learn new vocabulary!

Summary

In this informative and engaging vocabulary lesson, the instructor Arnel introduces 11 common and useful expressions involving the word 'have'. Starting with 'have a lot on your plate' to describe being busy, the lesson covers a range of idiomatic uses such as 'have mixed feelings', 'have it both ways', and 'have a knack for something'. Each expression is explained with a definition and contextual examples, helping learners to understand and apply them in conversation. The lesson also touches on phrases like 'have a feeling', 'have the nerve to', 'have a big mouth', 'have a soft spot for', and 'have butterflies in your stomach'. Concluding with 'you have my word', the video promises a test for viewers to assess their comprehension and encourages interaction by asking for their scores in the comments.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is a vocabulary lesson focused on teaching 11 common and useful expressions with the word 'have'.
• 🧑‍💻 Arnel, the presenter, uses the context of working at a graphic design company with multiple responsibilities to introduce the expressions.
• 🍽️ 'To have a lot on your plate' means being very busy with many responsibilities.
• 😕 'To have mixed feelings' refers to experiencing both happiness and unhappiness about something simultaneously.
• 🤔 'To have something both ways' implies getting a positive outcome from two different aspects, which is often not possible.
• 🤹‍♂️ 'To have a knack for something' indicates possessing a special skill or talent in a particular area.
• 🤯 'I have a feeling' or 'I have the feeling that' expresses a thought based on emotions rather than logic.
• 😰 'To have the nerve to do something' means being bold enough to do something that may be considered rude or inappropriate.
• 💭 'To have a big mouth' is a metaphor for someone who gossips or cannot keep secrets.
• ❤️ 'To have a soft spot for something' means having a particular fondness or vulnerability towards someone or something.
• 🦋 'To have butterflies in your stomach' describes the feeling of being both excited and nervous about an upcoming event.
• 🤞 'You have my word' is a promise or assurance that something will be done or kept confidential.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson provided by Arnel?

The main focus of the lesson is to teach 11 common and useful expressions related to the word 'have'.

What does the expression 'have a lot on your plate' mean?

The expression 'have a lot on your plate' means that someone is very busy and has many responsibilities.

What is the definition of 'mixed feelings' according to the transcript?

'Mixed feelings' refers to the state of being happy and unhappy about something at the same time.

What does the phrase 'to have something both ways' imply?

The phrase 'to have something both ways' implies getting something positive from both sides of a situation.

What does it mean to 'have a knack for something'?

To 'have a knack for something' means to have a special skill or talent in a particular area.

What is the meaning of 'I have a feeling' in the context of the lesson?

'I have a feeling' indicates a thought or belief based on emotions rather than logical reasoning.

What does the expression 'to have the nerve to do something' convey?

The expression 'to have the nerve to do something' means being brave enough to say or do something that might be considered rude or inappropriate.

What is the implication of someone 'having a big mouth'?

A person 'having a big mouth' implies that they gossip and share information that should be kept secret.

What does 'to have a soft spot for something' signify?

'To have a soft spot for something' signifies a strong liking for someone or something, to the point of being a bit vulnerable.

What is the feeling described by 'to have butterflies in your stomach'?

'To have butterflies in your stomach' describes a feeling of excitement and nervousness about an upcoming event.

What assurance does the phrase 'you have my word' provide?

'You have my word' is a promise or guarantee that something will be done or will happen as stated.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Common Expressions with 'Have'

This paragraph introduces a vocabulary lesson focused on expressions using the word 'have'. The instructor, Arnel, plans to teach 11 common phrases and encourages viewers to take a test at the end to assess their understanding. The paragraph sets the scene with Arnel working for a graphic design company, managing multiple projects and a conference, which illustrates the phrase 'to have a lot on your plate'. It also introduces the phrase 'to have mixed feelings', explaining its meaning through Arnel's job situation and providing an example of workplace policy that elicits mixed reactions.

05:08

🤔 Expressions Involving Emotions and Abilities

The second paragraph delves into expressions related to emotions and personal abilities. It starts with 'to have something both ways', explaining the impossibility of enjoying all benefits simultaneously, using work hours and salary as an example. The paragraph continues with 'to have a knack for something', emphasizing a natural skill or talent, particularly in multitasking. It also explores 'I have a feeling', which conveys a sense of intuition or emotion-led belief, and introduces the concept of 'gut feeling', an instinctive and unexplained strong belief about something. The paragraph touches on the importance of phrasal verbs and prepositions in English, providing examples to illustrate their use.

10:16

😡 Confrontational Phrases and Personal Preferences

This paragraph discusses phrases that involve confrontation or personal preferences. 'To have the nerve to do something' is defined as the audacity to perform a rude or inappropriate action, illustrated with an example of a colleague's presumptuous request. The expression 'to have a big mouth' is explained as a tendency to gossip or reveal secrets. The paragraph also covers 'to get along with someone', a phrasal verb indicating a harmonious relationship, and notes the British English equivalent 'get on'. It concludes with 'to have a soft spot for something', which describes a strong liking that makes one vulnerable, using personal and familial examples to clarify the concept.

😨 Expressions of Anxiety and Promise

The final paragraph addresses expressions of anxiety and the act of making a promise. 'To have butterflies in your stomach' is introduced to describe the feeling of nervous excitement, with examples ranging from public speaking to job interviews. The paragraph wraps up with 'you have my word', which signifies a promise or guarantee, contextualized within a work scenario where a report must be delivered by a certain time. The paragraph ends with a light-hearted note, as the instructor prepares to film another video, promising new content to the viewers.

Keywords

💡have

The word 'have' is used in various expressions throughout the video to convey possession or the existence of something. It is central to the theme of the video as it introduces different idiomatic expressions using 'have'. For example, 'have a lot on your plate' is used to describe being very busy with many responsibilities.

💡lot on your plate

This idiomatic expression means being very busy or having many responsibilities. It is related to the video's theme of teaching common expressions with 'have'. In the script, the speaker uses this phrase to describe their busy schedule with multiple projects and organizing a conference.

💡mixed feelings

'Mixed feelings' refers to experiencing both positive and negative emotions about something simultaneously. It is an important concept in the video as it illustrates the complexity of emotions one can have towards a single subject. The script mentions having mixed feelings about a job due to loving it but also being unhappy with the workload.

💡have it both ways

The expression 'have it both ways' means to get the benefits from two different situations at the same time. It is used in the video to explain the impossibility of certain desires, such as working fewer hours and still earning a high salary. The speaker uses this phrase to express the dilemma of balancing work hours and income.

💡knack

A 'knack' for something indicates a special skill or talent in a particular area. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the speaker's ability to multitask effectively. The script highlights this by mentioning the speaker's knack for multitasking, which is why they are given many projects.

💡I have a feeling

This phrase is used to express a thought or belief based on intuition or emotions rather than facts. It is relevant to the video's theme as it introduces different ways to express feelings or hunches. An example from the script is 'I have a feeling that Jessica doesn't like me,' which shows a personal intuition about someone's feelings.

💡gut feeling

A 'gut feeling' is a strong intuitive sense about something, often related to fear or worry, for which one cannot provide concrete evidence. It is used in the video to describe a deep-seated, instinctual reaction to a situation. The script includes an example of having a gut feeling that everything is going to go wrong, despite no evidence to support this.

💡have the nerve

To 'have the nerve' to do something means to be brave or bold enough to say or do something that may be considered rude or inappropriate. This concept is explored in the video as an idiomatic expression with 'have'. The script illustrates this with a colleague asking the speaker to get coffee despite being busy, showing a lack of consideration.

💡have a big mouth

This idiom means that someone gossips or reveals secrets. It is used in the video to describe a person's tendency to share information they should keep private. The script mentions being careful around someone who 'has a big mouth', indicating the need for discretion in conversations with such individuals.

💡soft spot

To 'have a soft spot' for someone or something means to have a particular fondness or vulnerability towards them. It is a key concept in the video that highlights personal preferences and weaknesses. The speaker mentions Millie having a soft spot for cats, which the speaker uses as a strategy to get Millie's help.

💡butterflies in your stomach

Having 'butterflies in your stomach' is a metaphorical expression used to describe the feeling of nervousness or excitement about an upcoming event. It is relevant to the video's theme as it introduces another idiomatic expression with 'have'. The speaker uses this phrase to convey their feelings about organizing a conference for the first time.

💡have my word

'You have my word' is a phrase that signifies a promise or assurance. It is the final idiomatic expression introduced in the video, emphasizing the importance of trust and commitment. The speaker uses this to assure someone that a report will be finished and on their desk by a certain time.

Highlights

Introduction to the vocabulary lesson on the word 'have'.

Explanation of 'have' with different subjects like he, she, or it.

Invitation to take a test at the end of the lesson to assess understanding.

Illustration of the phrase 'have a lot on your plate' with a graphic design job example.

Definition of 'have mixed feelings' and its application in a work context.

Clarification of the term 'mandatory' in relation to a break policy.

Expression 'have something both ways' with the impossibility of balancing work hours and salary.

Introduction of the phrase 'have a knack for something' and its pronunciation.

Explanation of 'I have a feeling' as an emotional thought process.

Description of 'a gut feeling' as an instinctual response.

Use of 'have the nerve to do something' in a situation involving rudeness.

Definition of 'have a big mouth' as someone who gossips.

Explanation of 'get along' as a phrasal verb for having a good relationship.

Introduction of 'have a soft spot for something' indicating a fondness that makes one vulnerable.

Expression 'have butterflies in your stomach' to describe a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Promise assurance with the phrase 'you have my word'.

Engagement with the audience by asking for their test scores in the comments.

Transcripts

When we think about the word, have, we  often think about grammar. But today  

is a vocabulary lesson. I'm going to teach  you 11 common and useful expressions you  

can use. Mini reminder: If your subject  is he, she, or it. Use, has. Remember that.  

If you want to see how comfortable you feel with  these expressions, you can take the test at the  

end of this lesson. There will be 11 questions, can  you please let me know your score in the comments  

below? Did you get 11 correct out of 11? Maybe  8 correct out of 11? Let me know. My name is  

Arnel, let's start. Let's imagine I work for a  graphic design company. Graphic design is when  

you make images or text in a really artistic way.  Maybe for an ad or a company logo, something like  

that. So let's just say I work for a graphic  design company. I am currently working on  

four projects for four different clients. I'm  also responsible for organizing a conference  

at the Hilton hotel next Wednesday. I'm really busy,  I have a lot on my plate. Number one: To have a lot  

on your plate. Definition: You are really busy, you  have a lot of responsibilities. You know this is a  

plate, so you can imagine if you have a lot on  a plate, you have a lot to do. Let's do another  

example: I wish I could help you but I have a lot  on my plate. Right, you know, I have mixed feelings  

about my job. Number two: To have mixed feelings.  Definition: You are happy and unhappy about  

something at the same time. So, I'm happy because I  love my job, but I'm unhappy because the workload  

is too much. I usually have to take my work home  with me in the evenings just to get everything

done. People at work have mixed feelings about  the new mandatory break policy. Mandatory means  

obligatory, you must. So the policy says you must  take your breaks. People have mixed feelings. I  

mean on one hand, they have to take a break, that's  really nice. But on the other hand, they might not  

always think it's convenient if they're in the  middle of something, and some people like to work  

through their break so they can go home earlier.  But now they can't, so, mixed feelings. You know in  

the perfect world I would only work 20 hours  a week and have a high salary. But I can't have  

it both ways. Number three: To have something both  ways. Well, definition: You get something positive  

from both sides. So I can't have it both ways here,  I can't only work 20 hours a week and have a high

salary. I can't seem to save any money. Well, you  do spend a lot, you can't have it both ways. How  

can you expect to do well on your exams if you go  out every night? You can't have it both ways. And go  

out is a great phrasal verb, here it means: You do  something fun in the evening. Maybe, go to a club,  

you go dancing, you go to a restaurant. You can't  go out every night and do well on your exams.  

And you can see with this expression, we normally  use can't. You can't have it both ways. So I'm  

busy, you know that, but the good thing is I have  a knack for multitasking. Number four: To have a  

knack for something. Notice the pronunciation, the  K is silent. Definition: You have a special skill  

or talent. And multitasking is when you  can do lots of things at the same time.  

My aunt has a knack for finding great  deals. I wish, I wish I had a knack for

languages. And because for is a preposition, don't  

forget it can either be followed  by a noun or a gerund, that ING form.  

So, I have a knack for multitasking, that's  probably why the boss gives me so many

projects. Well, to be honest, I have a feeling  it's because I never say no. Can you do this?  

Yes. Can you do that? Yes, of course. Number five:  I have a feeling, or I have the feeling that -

plus subject, verb. Here, we mean you think with  your emotions. Sometimes we don't think with our  

brain. I have a feeling that Jessica doesn't like  me. Do you ever have the feeling that someone is  

watching you? So, we can have a feeling or we can  say to have a gut feeling. A gut feeling, plus that,  

plus subject verb. Or, we can say a gut feeling  to plus verb. Okay, this part is your gut. We're  

thinking about the stomach/bowel area. Sometimes  you get a really strong feeling there, right? So,  

definition: If you have a gut feeling, you have  a strong feeling about something, but you  

can't explain why. It's kind of like an instinct. I  have a gut feeling that everything is going to go  

wrong today. Do I have any evidence for this? Nope,  it's just a really strong feeling. While driving,  

Brian had a gut feeling to take a different route. And you can see when we have a gut feeling we're  

normally talking about fear or worry. Right, back  to work. You can see my desk is just piled with  

work. One of my colleagues, Millie, had the nerve to  ask me to get her coffee. Number seven: To have the  

nerve to do something. Definition to be brave  enough to say something rude or inappropriate.  

You don't care that what you say might be rude or  inappropriate. I mean, in this situation, Millie's  

not my boss. She can see I'm busy, I can't believe  she had the nerve to ask me to get her coffee.  

You were late for the meeting. Um, you sent me  a message that said the meeting was at 11:30,  

when it was actually at 11:15. Sorry, you should  be more responsible and know when things are

happening. You sent me the  wrong information and now  

you have the nerve to tell me to be more  responsible? He has the nerve to call me a

liar! You can see with this expression there's a  little bit of anger. Well, in this clip there's  

a lot of anger. But there is anger there. I have to  be careful what I tell Millie, she has a big mouth.  

Number eight: To have a big mouth. And we don't mean  you literally have a big mouth. We mean someone  

gossips, they tell people things they should keep  secret. Millie has a big mouth, I can't tell her anything

personal. Be careful what you say around  Max, he has a big mouth. Well, it's not easy  

to get along with Millie. Get along is  a phrasal verb, it means two people have  

a good relationship. For example: I get along  with everybody, or I don't get along with Dan.  

And just a mini note, get along is a phrasal verb in American English. In British English you'll  

normally hear: get on. But they mean the same thing.  So, it's not easy to get along with Millie, but I  

know she has a soft spot for anything related to  cats. To have a soft spot for something, definition:  

You like someone or something very much. But I need  to be more specific, you like something so it makes  

you a little bit vulnerable. Millie has a soft spot  for anything related to cats. Frank has four kids,  

but he has a soft spot for his youngest daughter,  he can't say no to her. He's a bit vulnerable when  

it comes to his youngest daughter. Do you have a  soft spot for anything? I have a soft spot for this  

guy. This is my son's, this is my son's hamster. It  doesn't matter what I'm doing, if I'm working. If my  

son brings me this hamster I stop what I'm doing.  I'm like, awww. I become a little bit vulnerable.

Anyway, if I need Millie's help I'll ask her  something about her cats, or I'll bring her a  

cat-shaped cookie. Then she becomes really helpful,  it works every time. Strategy. Remember earlier  

in this lesson I said: I'm also responsible for  organizing a conference at the Hilton hotel next  

Wednesday. Right, this is really important  to me. I've never organized a conference before. I  

have butterflies in my stomach. Number ten: To  have butterflies in your stomach. Definition:  

You feel excited and nervous about something, you  can really imagine that feeling of having lots  

of butterflies flying around in your stomach. Ria  had butterflies in her stomach as she walked onto  

stage. I have a job interview tomorrow, I can't  sleep, I have butterflies in my stomach. Can you  

think of the last time you had butterflies in  your stomach? A combination of excitement and

nervousness. Okay, back to my  to-do list. Hey Arnel. Yeah?  

Can you make sure you have the report finished  and on my desk by five? Absolutely, you have  

my word. Last one, number eleven: You have my word.  Definition: I promise. Don't tell anyone what  

I just told you. You have my word. Do I have your  word that my money will be safe, here? I'm asking  

do I have your promise, do I have your word that my  money will be safe? Eleven, done. I think we need a test.  

Test time! Can you please complete each sentence  with one word from the box? Pause the video to do

this. Okay, here are the answers. How did you  do? Leave me your score in the comments below,  

I really love hearing from you. Thank you so much  for watching, I hope you learned something new and  

I'm going to make a new video for you very soon.  You have my word...... I'm trying to film a video here...

okay...

sorry, okay...