Thursday ENGLISH Learning Tip "I guess I will..."

This learning tip is part of my short daily diary.  It's in easy English so you can enjoy some listening & reading practice and learn some useful daily conversation.  Enjoy!

Last week my electric razor broke and hurt my face a little.  Ouch!  So I said, "I guess I'll have to go shopping for a new one soon."  Of course I needed to buy a new razor!  So why did I say "guess"?

We usually use the word 'guess' when we give an answer to a question but we are not sure about it.  Or sometimes, someone has a surprise and asks you what you think it might be... "Guess what!"

So basically, 'guess' usually means "I'm not sure."  So why did I say it when I was sure that I had to buy a new razor?

Well, to be honest, I didn't really want to go out and spend my time and money getting a new razor.  I just wanted a convenient shave with my old razor.  But that was now impossible.  So I had to give up and make a plan in my busy day to go shopping...

In these cases when we must do something that we don't really want to do, we often use the word 'guess' to make it feel softer for us.  So the phrase "I guess I will..." basically means "OK.  I give up.  I'll do it."

We actually use this a lot in our conversations with friends and some family.  Just please don't use this for business.  If you do, your boss or customers will know that you don't really want to do something, and they won't be happy about that!  It will definitely not give a good impression...

Well, I think you get the idea...  So I guess I will finish this tip here.

↓ Watch the original video mentioned in today's tip!
https://youtu.be/cvObc2dAt5w