Hiya!
I've been very busy lately and I haven't been able to write for a whole month or so. However, I'll keep being busy for a while, but due to a very good reason, no other than having a baby in... no time. In fact, the estimated delivery time for my baby was yesterday. My wife and I are eager to meet our child and that prompted me to write an entry dealing with some expressions related to impatience, you know, to kill the time while waiting for my child. I assume most of you are eagerly awaiting for something to happen at some time in your lives, so, if that's your case, this entry is definitely for you! Shall we start?
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| From: https://digitalmarketingphilippines.com/the-age-of-impatience-interesting-things-you-must-know/ |
1. I can't wait to...
This very useful expression is very common in spoken English. It is said when you are eagerly waiting for something, for example, 'I can't wait to meet my son.'
You can also use this expression using a new subject in the second part introduced with the preposition 'for', as in 'I can't wait for my son to be born.'
2. I'm eager to...
The adjective 'eager' is quite common to express that you are anxious (in a good sense) for something to happen, e.g. you can say that you are eager to enjoy your holidays.
3. I'm looking forward to...
This phrasal-prepositional verb indicates that you want something to happen. It can be followed by a noun phrase, as in 'I'm looking forward to the concert' or by -ing if it is a verb, for instance, 'I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.' In fact is one of the few structures in English combining the preposition 'to' and the -ing form.
4. I long for...
You normally know the word 'long' as an adjective, being the opposite of 'short'. However, 'long' can also be used as a verb, followed by the preposition 'for'. In this case, it means to desperately want something, for example, 'I long for some time for myself.'
5. I yearn for.../ yearn to...
You use this expression in FORMAL English to let others know that you are eager for something to happen. 'I yearn for home-made food.' or 'I yearn to savour my mother's home-made food.'
6. I'm keen to...
The adjective 'keen' has become commonplace in today's conversations. You can say that you're keen to visit your relatives overseas, for example.
7. I'm enthusiastic about...
If you are enthusiastic about doing something, that means you can't wait for that something to happen. In my case, as I have previously repeated, I'm enthusiastic about meeting my son!
8. I feel like + -ing...
This is a common expression in informal English. However, it is not as emphatic as the previous ones. You can say that you feel like eating ice-cream, but that is not a big deal for you.
9. I wish...
The verb 'wish' is used in multiple different ways in English:
- You can wish for something, for example, I always wish for snow at Christmas.
- You can wish for something to happen. In my case, I wish for my wife to give birth.
- I wish + simple past: when you wish for something that could happen but you are not really optimistic about it, for example, I wish I were taller.
- I wish + would: when you one someone to stop doing something or start doing something, when you want someone to change their habits, as in 'I wish you would behave well with your mother.'
- I wish + past perfect: when you regret something you did in the past but it has no solution now. My grandpa wishes he had studied more, for example.
10. I crave for...
This verb is normally followed by food or drinks and it is a typical structure said among pregnant women. Pregnant women have cravings, that is, they crave for chocolate, for example.
11. I would die for...
This hyperbolic expression indicates that you are so eager for something that you could even die for it...For instance, if you are starving, you would definitely die for a bite to eat.
12. I'm on edge...
You are on edge when you are so worried and anxious about something. I'm normally on edge when I want to know my exam results.
Well, right now I could use all these expressions. My restlessness will hopefully come to an end when I hold my child in my arms...
If you are interested in knowing more words and expressions about this topic, why don't you revisit my entry on expressions related to nostalgia?
P.S. I'll probably be absent for a while... but I'll come back, I promise!