English grammar
Strong reactions: it drives me mad when…, I can't stand it when…, I can't bear her -ing, what I can't stand is…
Say strongly what annoys you about what someone else does.
From the scene It drives me mad when you correct me
In short
Complain strongly with it drives me mad when… or I can't stand it when… Keep the it.
Your turn
Which one goes with can't stand it + when-clause (keep it)?
Options: I can't stand it when you change the story · it drives me mad when you correct me · I can't bear her interrupting me
Show answer
can't stand it + when-clause (keep it) → I can't stand it when you change the story
How it works
It drives me mad when… and I can't stand it when… are strong, everyday complaints; keep the it in can't stand it when (not 'I can't stand when').
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
What I can't stand, dear, is you (blank) right.
Options: be · being · are
Show answer
What I can't stand, dear, is you being right.
Lo que no soporto, cariño, es que tengas razón.
Good to know
Without when, put the person and an -ing form straight after: I can't bear her interrupting me, I can't stand you two fighting.
Good to know
What I can't stand is… saves the real complaint for the end.
it drives me mad + when-clause it drives me mad when you correct me
Elena
Nuria, it drives me mad when you correct me.
Nuria, me saca de quicio que me corrijas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Nuria, (blank).
Options: I can't stand it when you change the story · I can't bear her interrupting me · it drives me mad when you correct me
Show answer
Elena
Nuria, it drives me mad when you correct me.
Nuria, me saca de quicio que me corrijas.
can't stand it + when-clause (keep it) I can't stand it when you change the story
Nuria
And I can't stand it when you change the story every day.
Y yo no soporto que cambie la historia cada día.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank) every day.
Options: It drives me mad when you correct me · I can't bear her interrupting me · I can't stand it when you change the story
Show answer
Nuria
And I can't stand it when you change the story every day.
Y yo no soporto que cambie la historia cada día.
can't bear / stand + person + -ing I can't bear her interrupting me
Elena
I can't bear her interrupting me every other sentence.
No aguanto que me interrumpa cada dos frases.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) every other sentence.
Options: I can't bear her interrupting me · It drives me mad when you correct me · I can't stand it when you change the story
Show answer
Elena
I can't bear her interrupting me every other sentence.
No aguanto que me interrumpa cada dos frases.
what I can't stand is… (complaint last) what I can't stand is you being right
Your turn
What goes with what I can't stand is you being right?
Options: what I can't stand is… (complaint last) · it drives me mad + when-clause · can't stand it + when-clause (keep it)
Show answer
what I can't stand is you being right → what I can't stand is… (complaint last)
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it drives me mad + when-clause | it drives me mad when you correct me |
|---|---|
| can't stand it + when-clause (keep it) | I can't stand it when you change the story |
| can't bear / stand + person + -ing | I can't bear her interrupting me |
| what I can't stand is… (complaint last) | what I can't stand is you being right |
More lines from the story
- ElenaWhat I can't stand, dear, is you being right.Lo que no soporto, cariño, es que tengas razón.
- NuriaSorry, but yesterday it was a winter night.Perdone, pero ayer era una noche de invierno.
- NuriaAnd it drives me mad when she dictates to me at six in the morning.Y a mí me saca de quicio que me dicte a las seis de la mañana.