STOP overusing 'I know' or 'I understand' - there are MUCH better alternatives!

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- Hello, everyone,

and welcome back to "English With Lucy."

Today I'm going to tell you why

you need to stop saying "I know" and "I understand."

To know means to be aware of through inquiry,

observation, and information.

Now the issue is with this word,

it can make you seem like a know-it-all.

I know, I know, I know, I know.

It can sound a little impolite.

There are many other ways of saying that you know something

or that you understand something,

and I've included understand in this list

because it's very overused.

It's one of the first words that we learn

when we learn English,

whether you understand something

or if you don't understand something.

I think it would be really helpful for you

to have a bank of other phrases, other words,

and other interjections that you can use

in place of "I know" and "I understand."

And lots of these have little differences in meaning,

so you can make more complex observations.

So this video is perfect for expanding your vocabulary,

but if you want to improve your pronunciation

and your listening skills even further,

then I highly recommend the special method

of combining reading books

with listening to their audiobook counterpart on Audible.

It might sound weird, but let me explain,

because it really does work.

Take a book that you have already read

in your own language and would like to read in English,

or simply a book that you would like to read in English,

I have got loads of recommendations

in the description box for you.

And read this book whilst listening to audiobook version

on Audible.

I choose Audible because it's got almost every book,

I love their subscription model,

and it's my platform of choice.

I use it all the time, especially when running.

Reading alone will not help you with your pronunciation,

because English isn't a strictly phonetic language.

The way a word is written in English

might not give any indication

as to how it's pronounced in English.

But if you listen to a word as you read it,

your brain will start making connections,

and the next time you see that word,

you'll know exactly how it's meant to sound,

how it's pronounced; and the next time you hear that word,

you'll know exactly how it's spelled or written.

It's such an effective method, and the best part is

you can get one free audiobook,

it's a 30-day free trail, on Audible.

All you've got to do is click on the link

in the description box to sign up.

Right.

Let's get back to the vocabulary lesson.

So I have got verbs, near-synonyms for "I know," "to know,"

and I've got some phrases and interjections as well.

So for this exercise,

I want you imagine that I am a boss of a company,

and I have taken inspiration

from my some one of my previous bosses.

Lots of shady inspiration.

So number one.

The first synonym for "to know" is "to be aware of."

To be aware of.

And this basically means to know that something exists.

For example, "I'm aware of the lack of water

"in the office toilets.

"Don't worry, an engineer is coming next Friday."

Number two is "to realise."

To realise.

And this is to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly.

Ah, I've just realised.

I have only just become aware of something.

It can, however, just mean to understand.

For example, "I realise how frustrating it is

"that your paychecks were late this month,

"but I couldn't sign them because I was on a yacht

"and the wifi was terrible."

Number three is "to recognise."

To recognise.

And this is to accept that something is legal,

important, or true.

For example, "I recognise how much it means to you

"to have natural light in the office,

"but I have very sensitive eyes."

Number four, quite similar is "to appreciate."

To appreciate.

This means to understand a situation

and to realise that it's important.

For example, "I appreciate why you'd like more sick pay,

"but I'm afraid that people might abuse it."

Number five is "to acknowledge."

To acknowledge.

This means to accept for admit the existence

or the truth of something.

For example, "I acknowledge that the lack of toilet paper

"is frustrating, but it's not that hard

"to put a couple of sheets in your pocket each morning."

And number six, not an exact synonym for either of them,

but I think it's important.

It is "to notice."

To notice, which means to see or to become conscious

of something or someone.

For example, "I did notice that you've been parking

"by the entrance each day.

"I understand that you have a bad leg,

"but you must be considerate

"of more executive members of staff."

Right, let's move on to some phrases and interjections

that you can use instead of "I know" or "I understand."

Again, lots of them have little differences.

It might seem pointless

that I'm giving you the definition for each of them,

but just watch for differences because they're very subtle.

Number seven is "I see."

I see.

It means I understand,

and that I'm paying attention to what someone is saying.

However, it does depend on tone of voice.

If I say, "I see,"

it can show a bit of disapproval.

So if someone were to say to me,

"I was off sick yesterday because I had a stomach bug,"

I might reply, saying, "I see.

"Was there vomit?

"Because if there wasn't any vomit,

"you should have come in."

We can also extend this to number eight,

which is "I see what you mean."

I really see what you mean.

This means more or less the same thing,

but it's almost further implying

that you don't really agree.

For example, if a member of staff said to me,

"I won't be able to finish that project tonight

"because it's my birthday

"and my husband is taking me out,"

I might reply with, "I see what you mean.

"I'll offer the project to somebody more dedicated."

Number nine is "fair enough."

Fair enough.

This is used to show that you understand

and accept what someone has said.

For example, if someone says to me,

"I'm not coming to the office party on Friday night

"because I suffer from bad social anxiety,"

I might say, "Fair enough.

"I'll see you on Monday, you loser."

Number 10 is "all right,"

and we can also say 11, which is "okay."

These are fairly basic.

I'm sure you've heard of them already.

And these are used to especially express

that you have heard what someone has said,

more than the fact that you accept it.

For example, if my secretary comes to me and says,

"I'd just like to remind you

"that your interviewee has been waiting the lobby

"for three hours," I might say, "All right,"

as in, I've heard you,

"I'll come down after I finish this game of solitaire."

Number 13 and 14 are "I see your point,"

and "I take your point."

They mean the same thing.

These are used to say that you understand

what someone is saying,

but it's also used to imply you disagree with it.

For example, if John comes to me and says,

"I think that you need to let Mary go,"

I might reply, saying, "I see your point, John,

"but I'm not sure I'm allowed to fire someone

"for not agreeing to go on a date with you.

"Come back to me if you find a better reason."

Number 15 is "I don't blame you."

I don't blame you.

This is used for saying that you understand

why someone has done something

or why they feel a particular way.

For example, if Mary comes to me and says,

"I'm going to speak to HR about John,"

HR is human resources, I might replying by saying,

"I don't blame you, Mary.

"He's a total weirdo.

"But don't tell HR I said that."

Number 16 is a slang one.

"I get what you mean."

Or even more slang, "I get you."

"To get," in this case, means to understand.

I get you.

I understand you.

You get me.

You understand me.

So if Cynthia were to come to me and say,

"I don't think that eight minutes is long enough

"for a lunch break," I might reply, saying,

"I get what you mean, Cynthia,

"but it's calculated via an algorithm,

"and it's what the computer has decided is best for you."

Number 17, even more slang, is "gotcha."

Gotcha.

This is a reduction.

It means I get you, I've got you.

I've understood you.

So if someone comes to me and says,

"I'd like to propose a salary review,"

I could say, "Gotcha.

"You think it's too high as well, don't you?"

Number 18 is "I'm certain that,"

and this just means "I know."

I'm certain that.

I'm absolutely sure.

So if someone comes to me and says,

"I'm feeling overwhelmed with this new workload,"

I might reply, saying, "Don't worry.

"I'm certain that you'll be feeling underwhelmed

That's it for today's lesson.

I hope you enjoyed it.

I hope you learned something.

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I will see you soon for another lesson.

Muah.

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