You may have heard someone say, “This is me trying.”
Did you wonder why they didn’t say “I’m trying” instead?
In today’s episode, Lindsay and Aubrey answer a listener’s question about this trendy English grammar construction.
You may have heard it in everyday conversations, on television shows, or in popular songs.
We’ll share how to use this to make your English more expressive and natural.
This is me holding it together
Aubrey shares that she’s had a tough week and says, “This is me holding it together.”
Lindsay points out this interesting grammar structure and asks why Aubrey didn’t simply say, “I’m holding it together.”
Aubrey explains that this is a trendy English construction that puts more emphasis on the person and what they’re doing.
Instead of simply stating an action, it can make the situation sound more expressive or dramatic.
Today’s question
Today’s episode topic is inspired by a listener’s question:
“Hi! I’m Sophia. Thank you so much for all your hard work. I love the podcast sooo much! ❤ It always makes my day, and I love that it’s both entertaining and educational. I recently started watching Dark Winds (highly recommend it!), and I heard a character say, ‘So this is you leaving.’ Why not ‘So you’re leaving’? Is there a difference in tone? I’m also curious about the ‘This is + someone + V-ing’ structure in general. I’d love an episode about it! Thanks again!“
Two ways to use this grammar construction
Lindsay and Aubrey explain that “This is you leaving” and “You’re leaving” communicate the same thought.
Though these two expressions have similar meanings, one adds a little more emotion and emphasis.
However, the first expression is more emphatic and expressive.
It’s often used when there are emotions involved, such as disappointment, frustration, or sadness.
For example, we wouldn’t say, “This is me going to the grocery store,” because there’s nothing particularly emotional about that situation.
Lindsay and Aubrey share two ways to use this construction.
#1: This is + person + verb–ING
The first construction follows this pattern: This is + person + verb-ing
This structure puts emphasis on a person’s actions, often when there are strong feelings involved.
It draws attention to what someone is doing and can make the statement more emotional or dramatic.
Examples:
- This is you leaving.
Imagine two people having an argument, and one person decides to walk away.
Instead of simply saying, “You’re leaving,” the other person might say:
- So this is you leaving.
This can suggest disappointment or frustration about the person’s decision.
The speaker may feel that the other person shouldn’t be leaving and is drawing attention to that action.
However, if someone is simply leaving a party because it’s getting late, this expression would sound unnecessarily dramatic or even passive-aggressive.
Aubrey mentions Taylor Swift’s song “This is Me Trying” as another example.
Instead of simply saying, “I’m trying,” this expression emphasizes the person’s effort.
It can suggest that the effort may not look impressive, but the person wants others to recognize that they’re genuinely doing their best.
Other examples include:
- This is me giving it my all.
- This is me not giving up.
These expressions can communicate determination, vulnerability, or a desire to have your efforts acknowledged.
The important thing to remember is that this construction usually carries some emotional meaning.
It doesn’t have to be a dramatic situation, but there should be a reason to emphasize the person’s actions.
#2: This is + person + adjective or descriptive phrase
The second construction is slightly different.
Instead of using a verb ending in -ING, you use an adjective or descriptive phrase to describe someone.
This construction puts the focus on what a person is like in a particular situation.
Unlike the first structure, it doesn’t necessarily involve strong emotions.
It’s often used in a playful or humorous way.
- Example: This is me after only four hours of sleep.
You might say this when someone notices that you look tired or aren’t acting like yourself.
Instead of saying, “This is what I’m like after only four hours of sleep,” you can use this shorter, more conversational expression.
- This is him calm, so imagine what he’s like when he gets worked up!
This expression emphasizes that the person is already behaving a certain way, even though they’re supposedly calm.
Lindsay and Aubrey share a few more examples:
- This is Mark after six cups of coffee, so good luck.
- This is me chill.
- This is me on a good day.
These expressions can be a fun way to describe yourself or someone else’s personality or behavior.
Roleplay
Here’s a roleplay showing how both constructions can come up naturally in a conversation.
In this scenario, Lindsay and Aubrey are coworkers who know each other well.
Lindsay: Hey, you seem unusually energetic today. What’s going on?
Aubrey: Well, this is me after three cups of coffee!
Lindsay: Oh, wow! You usually only have one cup a day, right?
Aubrey: Yeah, exactly. I had two meetings over coffee with clients. I should have ordered decaf.
Lindsay: Oh yeah. Impressive! You got so much done this morning, though!
Aubrey: Thank you. This is me trying to be productive! I’ve already answered all my emails.
Takeaway
Learning to speak English naturally involves more than knowing the correct grammar.
It’s also about understanding the feelings and intentions behind the words people choose.
Sometimes, two sentences can describe the same action but communicate very different emotions.
By paying attention to these differences, you can better understand what someone is really trying to say and express your own personality more naturally.
However, remember that not every expression works in every situation.
Consider who you’re speaking with, how well you know them, and the emotion you want to communicate.
As you become more familiar with these nuances, you’ll find it easier to participate in conversations and build stronger connections in English.
Check out AEE 2710: Should You Tell Someone They’re Aging Like a Fine Wine? for more fun and expressive English.
Have you heard this grammar construction in a conversation, movie, or song?
Share your answer in the comments below!
