#340 Stand Your Ground — Being Assertive in English
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Today, we're continuing our assertiveness series. We're going to talk about something very important, standing your ground, saying what you mean clearly. Hi, I'm Georgiana, and I'm back with a new episode of the Speak English Now podcast, the podcast that helps you speak English fluently with no grammar and no textbooks.

If you want to help me share the podcast with your friends and family, that would mean a lot. Thanks. On my website, you can find the 5 secrets to speaking English and my premium courses. Before we start, get the transcript. Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash podcast.

Okay, let's start. To stand your ground means to stick to your decision or opinion firmly and confidently, even if other people disagree. It's about expressing your thoughts and feelings without fear. You don't let others change your mind easily if you believe you are right. When you stand your ground, you express your opinion clearly.

You don't change your mind just because others disagree. Stay calm and polite, even if others are not. Imagine you're at work, and your boss asks you to work extra hours. You have a personal commitment, so you say, I'm sorry, I can't stay late today. I have other commitments. If your boss insists, you stay calm and repeat.

I understand it's important, but I won't be able to stay today. This is standing your ground. You are clear, polite, and firm. Why is it important to stand your ground? Standing your ground is important because it builds self-respect. You feel proud when you are honest and firm. People respect you more when you are confident.

It also prevents misunderstandings because people know exactly what you mean. But how to stand your ground without being rude? Some people worry that standing their ground will seem rude, but it's possible to be firm and polite at the same time. Here's how. Number one, use clear and positive language.

Instead of saying, I don't want to do that, you can say, I prefer to do it this way. This shows you are confident but not aggressive. Number two, acknowledge the other person's view. Sometimes people feel upset if you disagree. You can say, I understand your point, but I see it differently.

This way, you are respectful, but you still stand your ground. Number three. Stay calm and control your emotions. If you get angry, it's hard to communicate clearly. Take a deep breath and stay calm. If someone raises their voice, keep your steady. This shows that you're confident and in control. Number four.

Repeat if necessary. If the other person insists, don't give up right away. Politely repeat your answer. As I mentioned before, I can't do that right now. Repeating calmly shows that your decision is final. Here are some real-life situations where you can practice. At work. Someone asks you to do more work.

but you are already busy. You can say, I'm sorry, but I can't take on more tasks right now. And what if a friend wants you to go out, but you need to study? You can say, I'd love to, but I have to study tonight. And if your family expects you to do something you don't want to do, you can say,

I understand you want me to do this, but I've already made other plans. Great! Now you know how to stand your ground with confidence and respect. Next time you feel pressured, remember to be clear, calm, and polite. These are my final thoughts. Assertiveness is important for speaking English fluently.

When you stand your ground, you feel stronger and people understand you better. Let's continue with a point-of-view story. I will tell you the same story but in different points of view. Past, present, and future. This will help you practice grammar in a natural way. Let's listen to the story in the past tense.

Daniel was very quiet at work. He never asked questions, even when he didn't understand something. One day, his boss gave him a new project. Daniel looked at the instructions, but he didn't understand them. He tried to figure it out by himself, but he got confused. He spent hours trying to understand, but it didn't work.

The next day, Daniel decided to be assertive. He went to his boss and said, Excuse me, I want to make sure I understand the project correctly. Could you explain it again, please? His boss smiled and explained everything. Daniel understood perfectly and felt proud of himself.

From that day on, Daniel asked questions when he needed help. He felt more confident and did a better job at work. His boss noticed the change and praised him for his good work. His co-workers started to ask him for help because they saw he understood the projects very well. Let's listen to the story in the present tense.

Daniel is very quiet at work. He never asks questions, even when he doesn't understand something. One day, his boss gives him a new project. Daniel looks at the instructions, but he doesn't understand them. He tries to figure it out by himself, but he gets confused. He spends hours trying to understand, but it doesn't work.

The next day, Daniel decides to be assertive. He goes to his boss and says, Excuse me, I want to make sure I understand the project correctly. Could you explain it again, please? His boss smiles and explains everything. Daniel understands perfectly and feels proud of himself. From that day on,

Daniel asks questions when he needs help. He feels more confident and does a better job at work. His boss notices the change and praises him for his good work. His co-workers start to ask him for help because they see he understands the projects very well. Let's listen one more time in the future tense.

Daniel will be very quiet at work. He will not ask questions, even when he doesn't understand something. One day, his boss will give him a new project. Daniel will look at the instructions, but he won't understand them. He will try to figure it out by himself, but he will get confused. He will spend hours trying to understand.

but it won't work. The next day, Daniel will decide to be assertive. He will go to his boss and will say, Excuse me, I want to make sure I understand the project correctly. Could you explain it again, please? His boss will smile and will explain everything. Daniel will understand perfectly and will feel proud of himself.

From that day on, Daniel will ask questions when he needs help. He will feel more confident and will do a better job at work. His boss will notice the change and will praise him for his good work. His co-workers will start to ask him for help because they will see he understands the projects very well. Great!

Practicing the same story in different tenses helps you think in English and understand how language works. When you can tell a story in the past, present, and future, you will feel more confident and fluent. You can find this method in my premium courses. Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses. Also,

If you want to help me, share the podcast with your friends and family. That would mean a lot. Thanks. See you soon. Bye-bye. Did you enjoy today's episode? Get the transcript now at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com.