# Proverbs

Idioms are expressions that have a different meaning from the words used.
Proverbs, however, are brief, well-known sayings that share life advice or
beliefs that are common knowledge.
What you have now is
worth more than
something you might get
later.
“Don’t quit your job while you build your
business. A bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush”.

This is said about a person who tends to

be quiet and does not say much. Such a
person often has a “deep,” interesting
personality.
Amanda is actually one of the smartest people in
the organization. She may not talk or socialize
much, but still waters run deep.
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You could be harmed by being too
curious about or too interested in
something that doesn’t concern you.
I wonder what’s down that street; it looks
awfully dark and creepy.”
Let’s not try to find out if curiosity killed the cat.
 When many people work together to accomplish a difficult
task, it doesn’t seem so difficult. That is the general meaning
of this English proverb. In other words, if people work
together, the work is easier and is completed more quickly.
It’s a big job, but many hands make light work.

This proverb means that Other people’s lives

you should take advantage always seem better,
of a favorable situation happier, and more
before it changes.
successful than yours,
Ask your boss for a favor now,
while he’s in a good mood.
even if your life is going
Strike while the iron is hot. well.
Since apples are rich in vitamin C – which is vital to
our health – this proverb means that proper nutrition
contributes to good health and fewer visits to the doctor.
In this English proverb, apples are a symbol of healthy
foods and proper nutrition.
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 This funny English proverb means you shouldn’t waste time
crying or complaining about something bad that has happened
that cannot be changed.

A person’s true character can

Don’t treat badly the
person or people on
whom you depend,
or who take care of
you in some way.
be seen by what he does, not
by what he says. A person
can talk as much as he
wants, but he may not do
anything to back up his
words.

This proverb has two meanings:

1) a person who is always moving – never living in one
place very long – cannot be successful or make a lot of
money, and
2) a busy person will not become stagnant but will remain
creative and productive.
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 The meaning of this English proverb is that you should always
try your best to make a good impression on others; show your
best traits and qualities.

Don’t make a minor If you arrive early or do

problem or difficulty
into a major one; don’t
exaggerate (과장하다)
the significance of a
small problem.
something before other
people do it, you have a
greater chance of
succeeding.

It is better to do
If you do
something correctly than
something to help
not at all, it is better to
me, I will do
arrive somewhere late
something to help
than take risks and have
you.
an accident.
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 Learn basic skills before you attempt to do something more
difficult. For example, don’t start to learn English with difficult
subjects such as articles or gerunds. Start with easier material,
slowly increase your knowledge, and gradually work toward
studying more difficult topics.

It is impossible to do something
Things that are good or accomplish an
prohibited seem important task without
very attractive encountering some problems or
or desirable. making some sacrifices.

As everyone knows, only a small part of an iceberg is visible above the

water. The rest is underwater.
This English proverb is used to describe a situation when we are in the
process of trying to do something, and we encounter a difficulty or
problem in connection with it. The saying means that the present
problem is not the most difficult part of the entire process; many more
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– and probably more difficult – problems lie ahead.
English With Aric Kathing
 # Direct Speech
It is saying exactly what the person had said. Uses quotation marks(“”).
I like travelling and Quoted Speech
exploring new places.
He said, “I like travelling and
exploring new places”.
“Can you give me some advice
or ideas?” he said.
Can you give me some Bring me some food.
advice or ideas? ________________________________
Take me to the cinema.
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_______________________________
 # Reported Speech
I play the piano every You said you played the piano
day.
everyday.
You said that you played the
piano everyday.
He said he was talking to Park,
I am talking to Park, he will get back to you after he is
I will get back to you done.
after I am done. He said that he was talking to
Park and that he would get back
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to you after he is done.
 #There are three elements to converting direct
speech to reported speech.
1. Add a reporting verb Reporting verbs are words which are
SAY SAID used to talk about or report on someone
TELL TOLD else’s thoughts, words, or statements.
“SAY + to SOMEONE” “TELL + to whom we are speaking to”
He said he loved the food. They said that he brought the table.
Hamin said to his mother that he finished Yeseul said to her teacher that she was
the homework. feeling ill.
When we use “tell”, we always remember to add in the person to whom we are reporting.
I told you he loved the food. They told him that he brought the table.
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2. We Backshift our Tense by one
Present simple S I want to buy a car.
to
Past simple RS John said (that) he wanted to buy a car.
Present Continuous S I am doing my laundry.
to
Past Continuous RS Jeff told her that he was doing his homework.
Present Perfect S They have finished their homework.
to
Past perfect RS My mom said that they had finished their homework.
Past Simple S I washed the dishes.
to
Past Perfect RS You told her (that) you had washed the dishes.
Future Simple S I will call you later.
to
Would RS She said (that) she would call you later.
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2. We Backshift our Tense by one
Can S He can eat a lot
to
Could RS They told me (that) he could eat a lot.
May S This watch may be too expensive.
to
Might RS My dad said (that) this watch might be too expensive.
It’s worth noting that the reason we don’t make any changes for the
past perfect or past perfect continuous tense is because we can’t really
go farther back in the past.

All of our future tenses use the verb “will” so it is a simple

change to “would”.

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 3. Modal verbs
You need to pay special attention to MODAL VERBS
in reported speech.
Direct tense Reported Tense

Can Could
May Might (Possibility)
May Could (Permission)
Will Would
Shall Should
Must Had to (necessity/obligation)
Must (No changes)
Might No changes
Could Would
Would Would
Should Would
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