She was nervous before she gave her speech.

Meaning: This means that she was feeling worried or anxious before she had to give her speech.

Choice of Words: Nervous means feeling worried or anxious about something. Before means earlier in time or in order. Gave is the past tense of give, which means to transfer something to someone. Speech is a formal talk or address given to an audience.

Alternative Expressions

She felt butterflies in her stomach before she gave her speech.

Meaning: This sentence means that the person was feeling nervous or anxious before they had to give a speech to an audience.

Choice of Words: The phrase "felt butterflies in her stomach" is a common way to describe the feeling of nervousness or anxiety. "Butterflies" are insects with delicate wings that flutter, and the feeling of nervousness or anxiety can feel like these butterflies fluttering around in your stomach. "Before" means that something happened earlier in time than something else. "Gave" is the past tense of the verb "give", which means to hand over or present something to someone. "Speech" is a formal talk given to an audience.

She was shaking in her boots before she gave her speech.

Meaning: This sentence means that the person was feeling extremely nervous or anxious before they had to give a speech to an audience.

Choice of Words: The phrase "shaking in her boots" is a common way to describe the feeling of extreme nervousness or anxiety. "Shaking" means to move quickly and uncontrollably, and "boots" are a type of footwear that covers the feet and ankles. When you put these two words together, it means that the person was so nervous that they were physically shaking. "Before" means that something happened earlier in time than something else. "Gave" is the past tense of the verb "give", which means to hand over or present something to someone. "Speech" is a formal talk given to an audience.

Related Expressions