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Emphasizing an Idea

Hi everyone. It’s Jennifer. This is going to be a short lesson on how to emphasize an idea. When we text, we can use capital letters or animation to call attention to our words. But when we speak, we have the choice of using certain structures for emphasis, and we also can rely on our voice.

We can use our voice to stress certain words. First, learn how to use “anything, but.” If someone has a misconception about something, you can correct them with “anything but.” But it means “not that.” Anything besides that. For example, a colleague says Josh is lazy.

You disagree, so you can say” Note how my voice goes up and gets louder on “anything” for emphasis. He’s anything but lazy. Sometimes I hear another pattern where “but” is the focus word: He’s anything but lazy.

The meaning is still basically the same; we’re saying he’s not lazy. I’m emphasizing that he’s anything besides that. He’s anything but lazy. He’s anything but lazy. “Don’t call him lazy” is the basic message.

Here’s a second expression: so not. This is informal. When I say, “This is so not good” I’m saying this is not good at all. We can use “so not” before an adjective as in “so not good.” We use “so not” before a noun phrase as in, “That’s so not my style.” You might also hear so not with a verb in the -ing form, especially “happening.”

So someone says “so not happening” when they don’t want something to happen pr they think something will not happen, and they use this expression again for emphasis. For example, let’s say I have some friends who are suggesting that I host a dinner party, but my apartment is really small.

I don’t want this to happen. I say: Here’s a third and final expression: If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. This is a useful way to express your annoyance with the particular situation. You’ve stated this opinion before in the past, and you’re reminding your listener yet again what you think.

Imagine a parent or a spouse getting frustrated and annoyed because someone keeps letting their phone die. They’re not charging it. They say: Once again, I use my voice to stress key words. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. You need to charge your phone.

So remember these expressions: anything but; so not; if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. For practice, take one of the new expressions and create your own example. Post it in the comments. Let’s end here. I’ll see you again soon for another lesson.