Chunks-Fixed Expressions (2)

In the previous lesson, we learned a few significant chunks. Chunks are an essential part of any language. There can be chunks in Spanish, Chinese Bengali, and many more languages. 

Here we will learn chunks used in the English language. We have learned a few of the chunks. In this lesson, we will discover other vital chunks that can be used in our daily life to sound more fluent and native, as we always try to be.

Note: “The chunks defined below are not the only chunks in English, there can be and there are more chunks which are not mentioned below.”

IMPORTANT CHUNKS

1. I’d rather die.

We use this chunk when we prefer something over something. When we don’t want to do something at any cost that we are willing to die instead, here “I’d” is a contraction for ‘I would.’

Example:

• I'd rather die than to ask her for forgiveness.
• I'd rather die than to work for my boss again.
• I’d rather die than to eat spinach.

Conversation:

George: will you please keep this secret to yourself.

Jenna:I’d rather die than share with anybody.

2. God knows.

Most of us use God knows in our conversations, but we don’t know that this is a chunk. It means that we are leaving something up to God when we are worried about the results. We call this chunk vital because it is used in our daily conversations. Try to figure this out when you are having a chit chat with anyone. 

Example:

• God knows what will happen to my brother.
• I haven’t prepared myself for exams God knows what will be the result?
• God knows if I will go to Europe this year or not.

Conversation:

George: Jenna, they are still bullying that kid.

Jenna: God knows what will happen to them once the principal gets to know about it.

3. Like it or not.

“Like it or not” is a significant chunk, which means "you may be hurt but the truth is." We often forget to use it; instead, we use long sentences to express what we are trying to say.

Example:

• Like it or not but he is playing with you.
• Like it or not, but I don’t find that girl befitting you.
• I won’t come to your place in her presence, like it or not.

Conversation:

Gorge: Jenna, you may like it or not, but that guy is cheating over you.

Jenna: I don’t trust you in this matter.

4. I hate to think.

Here is another chunk that we often use. It means “feeling bad about something or someone.” You can use it to emphasize that you don’t want to think because it is upsetting, but you have that bad feeling about something.

Example:

• I hate to think, but they are not going to invite us to a new year party because of that fight.
• I hate to think, but I guess he had married another woman too other than you.
• I hate to think about the years I have wasted over cricket.

Conversation:

George: I hate to think, but God knows what would have happened if you didn’t have helped me when I was severely injured.

Jenna: That’s okay, George, we got on the time you don’t need to think about that incident all over again.

5. Likely and unlikely.

We use "likely" when there is a possibility for something to occur. And we use "unlikely" to express impossibility or when there are fewer chances of something to happen or someone to come.

Example:

• It is likely to snowfall today.
• He is likely to come to my birthday party.
• I would most likely go to Mexico this vacation.
• It seems unlikely for a cat to walk 10 km in an hour.
• It is unlikely to rain today.
• Jenna is unlikely to come.

Conversation:

George: what do you think about Elsa, will she come to the event?

Jenna: It is unlikely that she would come.

6. Sort of or kind of.

It is an informal chunk that means there are 50% chances of something to be accurate or nearly the same as it was said—sort of and kind of interchangeable.

Example:

• She is kind of jealous that we are getting married.
• Forgive me, but I am kind of lost interest in buying that dress now.
• They said that it is a banquet, but it is sort of a lounge.

Conversation:

George: Are you busy at the moment?

Jenna: sort of.

7. Basically/ Actually/ honestly speaking.

All of these three chunks almost have the same meaning, which is “ coming to the point.” We use these chunks to emphasize someone to trust us.

Example:

• Basically, he played the same song every hour, and I am fed up now.
• Actually, he played the same song every hour, and I am fed up now.
• Honestly speaking, he played the same song every hour, and I am fed up now.

8. If you ask me.

It means “ giving suggestions even though they haven’t asked yet.” This chunk is most commonly used when it is likely for the other person to ask you for suggestions but hasn’t asked.

Example:

• If you ask me, I will never recommend that university for your son.
• If you ask me, I would suggest Samsung over Vivo.
• It will have been done two hours ago if you ask me.

Conclusion:

These were the few essential chunks that we can use in our daily life to sound more natural. These chunks can be used in speaking or writing whatever you prefer.