Cohesive Devices - Exercise

 

Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" is a song about the timeless nature of love. The singer expresses his belief that love will endure even as he and his partner age and change. He sings, "When my legs don't work like they used to before, and I can't sweep you off of your feet." This lyric suggests that the singer is willing to accept the physical changes that come with age, as long as he can still be with his partner.

Lyrics

When your legs don't work like they used to before
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks

And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70
And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Oh me I fall in love with you every single day
And I just wanna tell you I am

So honey now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are

When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades
And the crowds don't remember my name
When my hands don't play the strings the same way, mm
I know you will still love me the same

'Cause honey your soul can never grow old, it's evergreen
Baby your smile's forever in my mind and memory

I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe it's all part of a plan
I'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand

But baby now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are, oh

So baby now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Oh darling, place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are

Oh baby, we found love right where we are (maybe)
And we found love right where we are

Let's break down the song and learn some vocabulary, phrases and expressions.  Make your own sentences and speak them out loud while going through each one below.

1
Sweep someone off their feet

The phrase "sweep someone off their feet" is a romantic idiom that means to suddenly and completely captivate someone's affections. It is often used to describe the feeling of falling in love at first sight.

Here are some real-world example sentences of how to use the phrase

He swept her off her feet with his charm and wit.
She was completely swept off her feet by his romantic gesture.
Their whirlwind romance started when he swept her off her feet on the dance floor.
I knew he was the one for me when he first swept me off my feet on our first date.
She was so swept off her feet by his attention that she didn't notice his red flags.

The phrase "sweep someone off their feet" can also be used in a more general sense to describe any time someone is suddenly and completely captivated by something or someone. For example, you could say that a new song swept the nation by storm, or that a new product swept the market.

Here are some additional example sentences of how to use the phrase "sweep someone off their feet" in a more general sense:

The new restaurant's innovative cuisine swept the city off its feet.
The viral video swept the internet off its feet, garnering millions of views in just a few days.
The underdog team swept the competition off their feet, winning the championship in a stunning upset.
The new CEO swept the company off its feet with her vision and energy.
The inspiring story of the young athlete swept the world off its feet, giving hope to millions.

2
Mysterious ways

The phrase "mysterious ways" is an idiom that means in ways that are difficult to understand or explain. It is often used to describe something that is complex, unpredictable, or beyond our comprehension.

Here are some example sentences of how to use the phrase "mysterious ways":

Love works in mysterious ways.
Fate works in mysterious ways.
The human mind works in mysterious ways.

The phrase "mysterious ways" can also be used in a more general sense to describe any situation or event that is difficult to understand or explain. For example, you could say that the stock market works in mysterious ways, or that the outcome of the election was shrouded in mystery.

Here are some additional examples

The detective was baffled by the murder, which seemed to have been committed in mysterious ways.
The scientist was unable to explain the strange phenomenon, which she said worked in mysterious ways.
The artist's paintings were said to have a mysterious quality that captivated viewers.
The ancient ruins were shrouded in mystery, their origins and purpose unknown.
The abandoned house was said to be haunted, its mysterious noises and shadows sending shivers down the spines of the locals.

3
Every single day

The phrase "every single day" is an adverbial phrase that emphasizes the frequency or regularity of an action. It means "without exception" or "without fail." It is commonly used to convey the idea that something happens consistently, repeatedly, or without interruption.

Here are some informal sentences that use the phrase "every single day":

I'm so tired of commuting to work every single day.
My cat wakes me up every single morning by scratching on the door.
I try to eat a healthy breakfast every single day.
I love watching my favorite show every single night before bed.
My dog greets me with such enthusiasm every single time I come home.

The phrase "every single day" can also be used to express a sense of frustration or exasperation. For example, you might say:

I've been trying to fix this problem for hours, and it's not working every single time.
I'm so tired of listening to my kids argue every single day.
I'm so sick of getting stuck in traffic every single morning.

In addition to its literal meaning, the phrase "every single day" can also be used figuratively to emphasize the importance of something. For example, you might say:

We should cherish every single moment we have with our loved ones.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn something new every single day.
We need to make every single day count.

4
It's all part of a plan

The phrase "it's all part of a plan" is an idiom that means that everything that happens has a purpose or meaning, even if we don't understand it at the time. It is often used to express the idea that things happen for a reason, even if those reasons are unknown to us.

Here are some example sentences:
I know you're upset about your job, but trust me, it's all part of a plan.
I know you're going through a tough time right now, but everything will work out in the end. It's all part of a plan.
I don't understand why this is happening to me, but I know it's all part of a plan.
I'm trying to stay positive, even though things are tough right now. I know it's all part of a plan.
I don't know what the future holds, but I know that everything will work out in the end. It's all part of a plan.

The phrase "it's all part of a plan" can also be used in a more sarcastic or ironic way to suggest that there is no real plan or purpose to life. For example, you might say:

Yeah, right. Like everything is all part of a plan. I think things just happen randomly.
I don't believe in fate or destiny. I think things just happen by chance.
I'm not sure there's a grand plan for the universe. I think things just happen.
I don't think there's any point in trying to understand the meaning of life. It's all just a mystery.
I'm not sure if there's a higher power or not. I think things just happen.

5
Think out loud

The expression "think out loud" means to verbalize one's thoughts as they occur, without necessarily considering the implications or trying to reach a definitive conclusion. It's about expressing one's inner monologue, allowing thoughts to flow freely without the constraints of structure or organization.

Here are some examples of how to use the expression "think out loud":

I'm just thinking out loud here, but what if we tried a different approach?
I'm not sure if this is the right answer, but I'm just thinking out loud.
I'm still brainstorming ideas, so I'm just thinking out loud at this point.
Let me think out loud for a moment and see if I can come up with a solution.
I'm not trying to dictate anything, I'm just thinking out loud.

The expression "think out loud" is often used in brainstorming sessions, problem-solving discussions, and creative endeavors, where the goal is to generate ideas and explore possibilities without the pressure of making a final decision. It's a way to tap into one's unfiltered stream of consciousness and discover new perspectives.