In this short video lesson from our YouTube channel, the Ukrainian phrase «Я передумала» appears in the notebook, followed by its English translation. Watch the video (it’s under a minute), then read on for the explanation, examples and a few phrases worth knowing.
The phrase: I changed my mind
The most natural way to say it is I changed my mind. Here mind doesn’t mean “intellect” — it means your opinion or intention.
- I changed my mind.I decided differently from before.
- I was going to stay home, but I changed my mind.The plan was to stay in — not any more.
Ukrainian has two forms, «я передумав» (said by a man) and «я передумала» (said by a woman). In English it’s the same for everyone: I changed my mind.
I changed my mind or I’ve changed my mind?
Both are correct; the difference is the tense:
- I changed my mind (Past Simple) — about a moment in the past: yesterday, back then, after the talk.
- I’ve changed my mind (Present Perfect) — when the result matters now: “I’ve changed my mind, so the plan is different.” People often say it to take back something they’ve just said.
- I’ve changed my mind — I’ll have tea, not coffee.A new decision that matters right now.
- Yesterday I changed my mind about the trip.A finished moment in the past.
In everyday American English people often just say I changed my mind in the second case too — that’s not a mistake.
More useful phrases
- She changed her mind about the job.change your mind about something
- What made you change your mind?Asking for the reason.
- Don’t change your mind!Stick to your decision.
- On second thought, let’s stay in.Changing your mind mid-sentence.
- I’ve had a change of heart.About feelings or attitude — sounds more emotional.
Don’t mix it up with “make up your mind”
Make up your mind sounds similar but means “to decide”, not “to change a decision”: I can’t make up my mind — “I can’t decide”. And I changed my opinion is grammatical, but sounds formal; in conversation people say change my mind.
Check yourself
Say it in English, then reveal the answer:
1.You’ve decided not to go after all.
Answer
I’ve changed my mind, I’m not going.
2.Ask why she decided differently.
Answer
Why did she change her mind?
3.You can’t decide which dress to choose.
Answer
I can’t make up my mind which dress to choose.
New mini-lessons come out on our YouTube channel. And to speak English with confidence, not just know the phrases, come to a free trial lesson.
