Tears Dry On Their Own

• By: Amy Winehouse

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
tears /tɪərz/ A1	noun - drops of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in the eye
dry /draɪ/ A2	adjective - free from moisture or liquid; not wet verb - to become dry
regret /rɪˈɡret/ B2	noun - a feeling of sadness or disappointment over something that has happened or been done verb - feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or mistake)
right /raɪt/ A1	adjective - morally good, justified, or acceptable
high /haɪ/ A1	adjective - of great vertical extent
hotel /hoʊˈtel/ A1	noun - an establishment providing accommodation, meals, and other services for travellers and tourists
match /mætʃ/ A2	noun - a person or thing able to contend with another as an equal in quality or strength
moment /ˈmoʊmənt/ A1	noun - a very brief period of time
attached /əˈtætʃt/ B1	adjective - fond of someone or something
responsibility /rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ B2	noun - the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone
capacity /kəˈpæsəti/ B2	noun - the ability or power to do, understand, or experience something
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star that provides light and heat to Earth
shade /ʃeɪd/ B1	noun - relative darkness caused by the interception of light
stress /stres/ B1	verb - to give particular emphasis or importance to (a point, statement, or idea)
things /θɪŋz/ A1	noun - objects that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to
withdrawal /wɪθˈdrɔːəl/ C1	noun - the action of withdrawing something
perspective /pərˈspektɪv/ B2	noun - a particular way of considering something
friend /frend/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
shadow /ˈʃædoʊ/ A2	noun - a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface
blaze /bleɪz/ B2	noun - a very large or fiercely burning fire
debts /dets/ B1	noun - something, typically money, that is owed or due

Grammar:

• All I can ever *be* to you

  ➔ Modal verb + infinitive without 'to'

  ➔ The modal verb 'can' is followed by the base form of the verb 'be'. Modal verbs like *can*, *could*, *may*, *might*, *will*, *would*, *should*, and *must* are always followed by the infinitive without 'to'.

• And this regret I got accustomed *to*

  ➔ Past tense; preposition at the end of the clause

  ➔ The phrase "got accustomed to" uses the past tense form of "get" to describe a past habit or state. The preposition "to" is placed at the end of the clause, which is common in informal English but can be avoided by rephrasing.

• We *coulda* never had it all

  ➔ Contraction of 'could have'; conditional perfect aspect

  ➔ "Coulda" is a colloquial contraction of "could have". "Could have + past participle" indicates a missed opportunity or a hypothetical past situation that did not happen. The full sentence is "We could have never had it all,", meaning it was impossible for them to have everything.

• So this is inevitable *withdrawal*

  ➔ Noun as a complement

  ➔ Here, the noun "withdrawal" functions as a complement to the subject "this". It renames or describes the subject, completing the meaning of the sentence. The structure is: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement.

• Even if I stop *wanting* you

  ➔ Gerund after 'stop'

  ➔ The verb "stop" can be followed by either a gerund (verb + -ing) or an infinitive (to + verb). When followed by a gerund, it means to cease the activity. "Stop wanting" means to cease the act of wanting.

• I *should* just be my own best friend

  ➔ Modal verb 'should' expressing advice or recommendation

  ➔ The modal verb "should" is used to express advice, recommendation, or obligation. In this sentence, it conveys the speaker's advice to herself that she ought to prioritize her own well-being.

• Not fuck myself in the head with stupid men

  ➔ Infinitive phrase with negative imperative force

  ➔ While grammatically an infinitive phrase, this line functions as a strong imperative to oneself. The "not" negates the action described by the infinitive, creating a forceful prohibition. The omission of a subject (like "I") makes it more direct and impactful.