Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (90 page)

(I) don't think so
.
Go to I guess not.

I don't think we've met
.
Hello, I don't know your name, but I want to greet you.
A: I'm Jane Smithers. I don't think we've met. B: I'm Wallace Wimple
.
A: I've seen you here often, but I don't think we've met. B: I'm Harry Bopp. I own this place.

I don't understand (it)
.
AND
I can't understand (it)
.
I am confused and bewildered (by what has happened).
B
ILL
: Everyone is leaving the party. M
ARY
: I don't understand. It's still so early
.
B
OB
: The very idea, Sue and Tom doing something like that! A
LICE
: It's very strange. I can't understand it.

I don't want to alarm you, but
AND
I don't want to upset you, but
an expression used to introduce bad or shocking news or gossip.
B
ILL
: I don't want to alarm you, but I see someone prowling around your car. M
ARY
: Oh, goodness! I'll call the police!
B
OB
: I don't want to upset you, but I have some bad news. T
OM
: Let me have it.

I don't want to sound like a busybody, but
an expression used to introduce an opinion or suggestion.
B
OB
: I don't want to sound like a busybody, but didn't you intend to have your house painted? B
ILL
: Well, I guess I did
.
B
OB
: I don't want to sound like a busybody, but some of your neighbors wonder if you could stop parking your car on your lawn. S
ALLY
: I'll thank you to mind your own business!

I don't want to upset you, but
Go to I don't want to alarm you, but.

I don't want to wear out my welcome
.
a phrase said by a guest who doesn't want to be a burden to the host or hostess or to visit too often.
M
ARY
: Good night, Tom. You must come back again soon. T
OM
: Thank you. I'd love to. I don't want to wear out my welcome, though
.
B
OB
: We had a fine time. Glad you could come to our little gathering. Hope you can come again next week. F
RED
: I don't want to wear out my welcome, but I'd like to come again. B
OB
: Good. See you next week. Bye. F
RED
: Bye.

I don't wonder
.
Go to I'm not surprised.

I doubt it
.
I do not think so.
T
OM
: Think it will rain today? S
UE
: I doubt it
.
S
ALLY
: Think you'll go to New York? M
ARY
: I doubt it.