English Proverbs

A bad excuse is better than none.	Always give an excuse, even if it's a poor one.
A bad penny always turns up.	An unwanted or disreputable person constantly comes back.
A bad tree does not yield good apples.	A bad parent does not raise good children.
A bad workman blames his tools.	Blaming the tools for bad workmanship is an excuse for lack of skill.
A barking dog seldom bites.	Someone who constantly makes threats rarely carries them out.
A bird in hand is worth two in a bush.	It is better to keep what you have rather than to risk losing it by searching for something better.
A black plum is as sweet as a white.	People should not be judged by their appearance.
A book holds a house of gold.	There is a wealth of knowledge in books.
A broken friendship may be soldered but will never be sound.	Friendships can be rebuilt after a dispute but will never be as strong as before.
A burden of one's own choice is not felt.	Something difficult seems easier when it is done voluntarily.
A burnt child dreads the fire.	A bad experience will make people stay away from certain things.
A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor.	A person shows their competence or ability when difficulties arise.
A cat has nine lives.	1) Cats can survive many accidents because they land on their feet without injury. 2) Nine lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to stray, 3 years to stay.
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.	The strength of a group depends on each individual member.
A change is as good as a rest.	A change in routine is often as refreshing as a break or a holiday.
A constant guest is never welcome.	If you come to visit too often, your host will be less pleased to see you.
A danger foreseen is half avoided.	If you are prepared to face a problem or difficulty, it will be easier to deal with.
A day of sorrow is longer than a month of joy.	Times goes by very quickly when you are happy and very slowly when you are sad.
A drop of ink may make a million think.	A thought expressed in writing (perhaps published in a newspaper) can influence a large number of people.
A dry March, a wet April and a cool May fill barn and cellar and bring much hay.	Harvest predictions are made according to the weather.
A fault confessed is half redressed.	Confession is the beginning of forgiveness.
A flower blooms more than once.	If you miss an occasion, you can avail yourself of it another time.
A fly will not get into a closed mouth. A closed mouth catches no flies.	If you learn when to keep silent you will avoid trouble.
A fool and his money are (soon) easily parted.	A foolish person usually spends money carelessly.
A fool at forty is a fool forever.	If a person hasn't matured by the age of 40, they never will.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.	Someone who helps you when you are in trouble is a real friend.
A friend to all is a friend to none.	Someone who is a friend to everyone makes none of them feel special.
A friend's eye is a good mirror.	A real friend will tell you the truth.
A good beginning makes a good end.	If a task is carefully planned, there's a better chance that it will be well done.
A good conscience is a soft pillow.	You sleep well when you have nothing to be guilty about.
A good example is the best sermon.	Giving a good example is better than giving advice.
A good mind possesses a kingdom.	Intellectual assets are more valuable than material ones.
A good name is better than a good face.	A good reputation is better than a good appearance.
A growing youth has a wolf in his belly.	Young boys eat a lot / are often hungry.
A guilty conscience needs no accuser.	If you know that you have done something wrong, you don't need anyone to tell you that you're guilty.
A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.	Patience is more precious than intelligence.
A happy heart is better than a full purse.	Happiness is better than wealth.
A heavy purse gives to a light heart.	When you have money you feel more cheerful and secure.
A hedge between keeps friendship green.	It is important to respect the privacy of others.
A hungry belly has no ears.	A hungry person is totally concentrated on their need for food and nothing else interests them.
A hungry wolf is fixed to no place.	A desperate person will go from place to place when they need to satisfy their needs.

I plan to + (verb)

Plan to' describes something that you would like to do in the near future.

Here are some examples:

"I plan to find a new apartment."

"I plan to relax on vacation."

"I plan to surprise my parents."

"I plan to wash my car."

"I plan to adopt a child."

"I plan to impress my boss."

"I plan to watch a movie."

"I plan to save more money."

"I plan to read a book."

"I plan to learn new things."

I would like to + (verb)

This sentence lets someone know what you would be interested in doing.  This can be a physical, mental or verbal action.

Here are some examples:

"I would like to answer that question."

"I would like to compete in a cooking contest."

"I would like to explain myself."

"I would like to invite you over."

"I would like to practice."

"I would like to become a doctor."

"I would like to see you more often."

"I would like to thank you."

"I would like to learn about animals."

"I would like to meet the President."

I gotta + (verb)

I gotta' is grammatically incorrect.  It is more of a spoken form.  If you want to say this with proper grammar, the equivalent would be, 'I have got to' or 'I've got to'.  In the spoken form, 'got to' is shortened to 'gotta' and the word 'have' is dropped.

Here are some examples:

"I gotta manage my money."

"I gotta obey the laws."

"I gotta move to a bigger house."

"I gotta impress my boss."

"I gotta brush my teeth."

By adding the word 'have' you can change what you are saying to express something that needs to be done in the near future.

Here are some examples:

"I have got to be on time to work."

"I've gotta try harder at school."

"I've gotta tell my wife I'll be late."

"I've gotta learn more about the laws."

"I've gotta clean my house today."

I wanna + (verb)

The word 'wanna' is incorrect grammatically.  It is equivalent to 'want to.' When combined with the word 'I' it helps communicate something you want to do.

Here are some examples:

"I wanna talk."

"I wanna search for a job."

"I wanna order some food."

"I wanna marry her."

"I wanna listen to that song."

By adding the word 'don't' you can change the meaning of what you are saying to something you 'want' to do to something you 'do not' want to do.

Here are some examples:

"I don't wanna talk."

"I don't wanna search for a job."

"I don't wanna marry her."

"I don't wanna listen to that song."

"I don't wanna order some food."

I have to + (verb)

The words 'have to' describe something that needs to take place soon. It expresses certainty, necessity, or obligation.

Here are some examples:

"I have to switch schools."

"I have to use the telephone."

"I have to go to the bathroom."

"I have to leave."

"I have to unpack my bags."

You can also add the word 'don't' to suggest that someone is not required to do something.

"I don't have to switch schools."

"I don't have to use the telephone."

"I don't have to go to the bathroom."

"I don't have to leave."

"I don't have to unpack my bags."

I used to + (verb)

Used to' expresses something that was done in the past, and is not usually done now.

Here are some examples:

"I used to develop websites."

"I used to jog every day."

"I used to paint."

"I used to smoke."

"I used to work from home."

"I used to live in California."

"I used to go to the beach every day."

"I used to sing in a choir."

"I used to like vegetables."

"I used to start work at 6 o'clock."

I have + (past participle)

Again, 'I have' shows possession or something acquired. By adding a past participle you are informing someone of a past or completed action done by you.

Here are some examples:

"I have done it."

"I have heard that before."

"I have driven a car."

"I have forgotten the words."

"I have read that book."

"I have eaten at that restaurant before."

"I have flown in an airplane."

"I have forgiven you."

"I have seen you before."

"I have written a letter."

I have + (noun)

By using the words 'I have' you are informing someone of something you have possession of or have acquired.

Here are some examples:

"I have a cat."

"I have a nice car."

"I have a house."

"I have a computer."

"I have a headache."

You may hear the words 'cannot' and 'won't' used with 'I have.' By adding these you can express what you will not put up with or allow.

Here are some examples:

"I cannot have that behavior in my house."

"I cannot have you over tonight."

"I won't have anything to do with that."

"I won't have it any other way."