The pattern

"I have something to" plus a verb announces that something is coming: news, a confession, a gift, a task. "I have something to tell you" makes people stop and look up. "I have something to show you" gets them to lean in. The pattern is a drumroll before the real sentence.

Because it builds suspense, the listener often worries. If the news is good, say so right away: "I have something to tell you, it's good news." The same frame with "a lot" or "nothing" in place of "something" says how full or empty your plate is: a lot to finish, nothing to hide.

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

  5. The polite way to join a discussion in a meeting.

  10. Same message, more serious tone. People sit down for this one.

Check yourself

1What does "I have something to tell you" do?
2Which line is a polite way to speak up in a meeting?
3"I have nothing to wear" usually means...

Practice · 3 min

Announce what is coming. Prompt on the left, one natural sentence on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.