Take one step BACK so you can take two steps FORWARD

Peace Steemians,

Do you ever prepare sentences in your head during conversations?

Well, I was frustrated because I had complex things I wanted to say, but only a basic vocabulary.

It was like having the mind of an adult, but being trapped in the body of a baby.

What I didn't see at the time is that I struggled because I was trying to move to an advanced way of speaking before I was ready.

I hadn't yet learned to use basic grammar without thinking, but I was still trying to use more advanced phrases.

Many of my friends have the same problem because they want to sound native NOW! :)

But often, the secret to progress is to take one step BACK so you can take two steps FORWARD.

Once you master basic grammar - and this means you can use it in a sentence without thinking - then you can move on to adding more "colorful language."

As an example, maybe on a hot day, you want to say that, "This heat is uncomfortable."

First, practice saying this basic English until you can use it automatically.

Then, you can get fancy (to do something in a more complex and interesting way) by adding more conversational vocabulary:

"This heat is bothering/frustrating me."

"This heat is killing me!"

The trick is not to translate the complex things you want to say in your mind...

But to practice using basic things in English until they become automatic.

Then you start to add a bit of spice.

Here are a few more "basic to spicy" examples that came from recent conversations:

I'll reply soon.
I'll get back to you soon.

Could you help me?
Could you give me a hand?

I was really tired all day at work.
I was running on empty (like a car with no gas) all day at work.

Practice saying basic sentences first...

Then once you've gotten automatic, add some flavor. :)