Wordcyclopedia | English | tell someone what they want to hear

tell Verb

— When you tell something to someone, you speak to the person about some fact or idea. He always tells the truth. I told all of my friends about Wiktionary. I will not tell anyone — If you tell, you let a parent, teacher, police officer, etc. know that somebody did something bad. I'm sorry I hit you. I'll give you a dollar if you don't tell. If you're lying, your eyes will tell on you.

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someone Determiner

— some person I heard someone at the door. You should ask someone who knows more about it. I'm hoping to meet someone special at the dance.

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what Pronoun

— What is used to ask for information about things. What did you see? What do you mean? — What is used to add a clause with more information. I don't know what you mean. I'll tell you what to do. I'll see what I can do to help. — What is used when you want to describe something instead of naming it. Take what you can find. Can I see what you did? I could change it if that's what you want.

what Determinative

— What is used to ask about the member(s) of a group. What book did you buy? — What is used to add a clause to identify the member(s) of a group. I don't know what problems you mean. I'll tell you what button to push. I'll see what food I can give.

what Adjective

— used to show that you feel strongly about something. What a great book this is!

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they Pronoun

— "They" is used to talk about two or more people, not you or the person you are speaking to. I love Josie and Reg. They are nice people. — "They" is used to talk about two or more things. Can you get the books for me? Theyre over there. — "They" is used to talk about one or more person when you don't know the sex or number. If a person is fast, they can get there early. — "They" is used to talk about people in general. When are they going to finish that new building? They say you should drink eight glasses of water a day.

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want Verb

— If you want to do something, you think you would be happier if you did it. Do you want to go to the park? I don't want to go to work today. He wants to know her name. Please, stop the bus. I want to get out here. I wanted to buy a new book, so I went to the shop. — If you want something, you think you would be happier if you had it. Do you want a drink? No thank you! I don't want one. He wants a new car. I can give you whatever you want. All I want is one more chance to do this. — If you want somebody to do something, you think you would be happier if they did it. I want you to help me. — If you want something to happen, you think you would be happier if it happened. I want everyday to be my birthday. — If you want to do something, your body has a strong feeling that it will do it. Every time I see it, I want to be sick. Flowers make me want to sneeze. — If you tell somebody "you might want to" do something, you mean they should do it. You might want to study more for your tests. — If someone or something wants for something, they don't have it or don't have enough of it. — If you want someone, you want to have sex with them. — If you want up, down, in, out, etc., you want to go there or your want somebody to help you go there. Can you open the door? I think the dog wants out.

want Noun

— A want is something that you want. The wants and needs of the people are not being met. — something that you do not have or do not have enough of The car wouldn't run for want of gas.

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to Verb phrase Subordinator

— To has no meaning. It is used to introduce verb phrases. It's important for you to understand. She told them to be quiet. You want me to do it, but I don't have to. To finish quickly, we must work fast. To continue like this would be foolish. I don't know how to get there. He got the keys to open the door. It's too small to see. You are all to be here at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Do you understand? He arrived only to find that everyone had gone home.

to Preposition

— To shows where something goes, the goal of movement. He went to her house. The train returned to the Shinjuku station. I went to bed but could not rest. They went to school together and played in the same soccer team. A squad car took him to hospital where he died. Many people came to me with suggestions. I wonder why you keep going to sea when you know it's dangerous. — To shows the receivers of an action or object. The goods were sold to customers at the downtown store. — To shows the result of a change or process. It switched from red to black. They came to the conclusion that I'm better than nothing. He fell on the play, but quickly got to his feet. He was crushed to death underneath the truck. — To shows the end or limit of something. Methods have been used to overcome these problems to some degree. The class is from 1:35 to 3:25. It's just another week to the end of classes. Right now it's ten minutes to four. — To shows that one thing is touching another. They stood back to back to see who was taller. — To shows how two things are connected. He attached the printer to the computer. She was married to a Canadian man. She was assistant to the general manager. — To shows a belonging or relationship. We don't owe anything to anyone. To whom does it belong? It's a benefit to the whole school. What's the answer to this problem? I can't remember the password to this account? — To shows a comparison between two things. Girls outnumber boys two to one. Older cars get fewer kilometers to a liter of gasoline. Right now you can get one Canadian dollar to $1.05 US. — To shows your feeling or opinion about something. It feels good to me. To their surprise, she got up and left. — To shows a timing relationship, often with a music. He likes to exercise to music.

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hear Verb

— If you hear a sound, you notice it with your ear. I heard music coming from the next room. Speak louder, I cannot hear you!

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