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• By: Lauren Spencer Smith

Lyrics:

Grammar:

• I've been holdin' my stomach in for so long

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous

  ➔ Used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present, often emphasizing the duration. Here, "I've been holdin'" (short for "I have been holding") indicates a continuous action over a period of time, specified by "for so long".

• Don't even notice I'm doin' it anymore

  ➔ Present Continuous + "anymore"

  ➔ The "Present Continuous" ("I'm doin'") describes an action that is currently happening or is a continuous habit. "Anymore" indicates that something that was previously true or occurring is no longer the case.

• I wonder if I'll ever change

  ➔ Noun Clause with "if" (Indirect Question)

  ➔ "If" is used here to introduce a "noun clause", which functions as the object of the verb "wonder". It transforms a direct question ("Will I ever change?") into an indirect one.

• I don't think I can live this way

  ➔ Modal Verb "can" for ability/possibility

  ➔ The modal verb "can" expresses capability or possibility. In this negative sentence ("can live this way" with "don't think"), it indicates that the speaker feels unable to continue living in a particular manner.

• Hate being hungry when I go to sleep

  ➔ Verb + Gerund ("hate + -ing")

  ➔ Many verbs in English are followed by a "gerund" (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun) when they refer to an activity or state. "Hate" is one such verb.

• Used to smile and show my teeth

  ➔ "Used to" for past habits

  ➔ "Used to" indicates actions or states that were regular or true in the past but are no longer happening or true in the present.

• If I'm not happy and skinny, quiet and pretty, Do I even matter?

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1 or general truth)

  ➔ This is a "conditional sentence" (often type 1, but here expressing a general consequence of a state) using "if" to present a condition ("If I'm not...") and then a question about the consequence ("Do I even matter?").

• Wish I could eat and not feel bad

  ➔ "Wish" + Past Modal ("could") for unrealizable desires

  ➔ "Wish" followed by a past modal verb like "could" expresses a desire for something that is currently impossible, contrary to reality, or unlikely to happen.

• As long as I can fuckin' sing, then life is a dream

  ➔ Conditional Conjunction "As long as"

  ➔ "As long as" introduces a condition, meaning "provided that" or "only if." The main clause's truth depends entirely on the condition introduced by "as long as" being met.