Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) – English Lyrics

• By: Beyoncé
• Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
single /ˈsɪŋɡl/ A2	adjective - not married or in a romantic relationship
ring /rɪŋ/ A1	noun - a circular band, typically of precious metal, worn on a finger verb - to make a sound like a bell
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire something
attention /əˈtɛnʃən/ B1	noun - notice taken of someone or something
learn /lɜrn/ A2	verb - to gain knowledge or skill by studying or experience
feel /fiːl/ A2	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult male human
girl /ɡɜrl/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of deep affection verb - to feel deep affection for someone
thing /θɪŋ/ A1	noun - an object, animal, or concept
destiny /ˈdɛstɪni/ B2	noun - the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future
permission /pərˈmɪʃən/ B2	noun - the action of allowing someone to do something
cry /kraɪ/ A2	verb - to shed tears, typically as an expression of distress
broke /broʊk/ B1	verb - to separate into pieces as a result of a force
learn /lɜrn/ A2	verb - to gain knowledge or skill by studying or experience

Key Grammar Structures

• If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it

  ➔ Third conditional (past unreal condition and result)

  ➔ Uses the third conditional to express regret or criticism about a past action that did not happen.

• Now put your hands up

  ➔ Imperative mood (commands or requests)

  ➔ Uses the imperative form to give a direct command or instruction.

• Decided to dip and now you wanna trip

  ➔ Simple past tense combined with 'to' infinitive

  ➔ Describes a completed decision in the past followed by a present desire to take action.

• Acting up, drink in my cup

  ➔ Gerund phrase (+ comma) to describe ongoing action

  ➔ Uses a gerund phrase to describe an ongoing or habitual action connected to the singer's current state.

• Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve

  ➔ Relative clause with 'what' as the relative pronoun

  ➔ Uses a relative clause to specify 'love' as the speaker’s preferred and deserved thing.

• That makes me then takes me

  ➔ Relative clause with simple present tense (verb agreement)

  ➔ Uses a relative clause with simple present to describe how something causes or leads to an action.

• Pull me into your arms, say I'm the one you own

  ➔ Imperative + modal verb + direct speech (reported speech)

  ➔ Uses imperative to give a command or request, combined with reported speech for dialogue.