The expression "I haven’t been sick all year—knock on wood!" is used when someone wants to avoid bad luck after saying something positive. "Knock on wood" is a superstition. People say it and sometimes knock on a table or wood to keep the good luck going. This topic helps learners talk about health, superstitions, and expressions in everyday English.
Examples:
I haven’t caught a cold all winter—knock on wood!
Everything is going well at work, knock on wood!
It helps students practice the present perfect and understand common expressions used to express hope and caution.
GRAMMAR
Focus: Present Perfect + Superstitions + Expressions
Structure:
Subject + have/has + past participle → I haven’t been sick.
"Knock on wood" is used as an expression to avoid bad luck.
Examples:
She has never missed a day of school—knock on wood!
We’ve had good weather all month, knock on wood!
VOCABULARY
Sick – not feeling well or healthy
Cold – a common illness with a runny nose and cough
Healthy – feeling good and not sick
Cough – a sound you make when your throat hurts
Fever – high body temperature when you are sick
Superstition – a belief not based on science
Knock – to hit something lightly (like wood)
Lucky – having good things happen by chance
Hope – to want something good to happen
Year – a period of 12 months
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
I haven’t been sick all year.
Knock on wood!
So far, so good.
Let’s hope it continues.
I’ve been lucky this year.
Have you been sick lately?
Not even a little cold!
That’s great to hear!
Stay healthy!
Take care!
SENTENCES
Positive:
I haven’t been sick this year.
She has stayed healthy all winter.
Negative:
He hasn’t had a fever this season.
We haven’t missed any work days.
Questions:
Have you been sick this year?
Has she caught a cold lately?
Answers:
No, I haven’t—knock on wood!
Yes, but only a small cold.
CONVERSATION
Anna: Hey, how have you been?
Luca: Great! I haven’t been sick all year—knock on wood!
Anna: Wow, that’s amazing! Not even a little cold?
Luca: Nope, nothing at all. I’ve been eating healthy and exercising.
Anna: That must help. I had the flu last month.
Luca: Oh no! Are you better now?
Anna: Yes, much better. But I hope I stay healthy now.
Luca: Just drink water, sleep well, and knock on wood!
Anna: Will do!
Long READING
Many people use the expression "knock on wood" after saying something good. It’s a way to avoid bad luck. This superstition is common in English-speaking countries. People believe that knocking on wood keeps bad things away.
For example, if someone says, "I haven’t been sick all year," they quickly add "knock on wood" to make sure they don’t get sick after saying it. This tradition comes from old beliefs that spirits lived in trees, so touching or knocking on wood showed respect or asked for protection.
Some people even knock on tables or door frames when they say it. While it is not scientific, many people still say it just in case. It’s a fun way to stay hopeful!
Questions:
Why do people say "knock on wood"?
When do they use this expression?
Where did the superstition come from?
Is it based on science?
What does it show about people?
Answers:
To avoid bad luck.
After saying something good.
From old beliefs about spirits in trees.
No, it is not.
It shows they like to stay hopeful.
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