“I just thought I'd come out and get some fresh air and sunshine.”

English Lesson: I just thought I'd come out and get some fresh air and sunshine.

It's a nice day outside, so you go out to ride your bicycle. You see your neighbor jogging and stop to make small talk with him. You offer this explanation as to why you're riding your bicycle.

I just thought I'd come out and get some fresh air and sunshine.

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I just thought I'd (do something)

Use this phrase to explain what you're doing, and make it sound like a sudden decision rather than something which was planned out in advance.

I just thought I'd call and see if you wanted to have lunch some time this week.

You could also say it this way:

I wanted to call and ask if you wanted to have lunch some time this week.

But "I wanted to ___" doesn't tell how long you wanted to do something. It could mean any of these:

  • You've wanted to do it for a long time.
  • You just decided that you want to do it.
  • You wanted to do it in the past, but now you don't.

"I just thought I'd ___" expresses the idea of deciding quickly and without thinking too carefully about something. Here are some other examples:

No, there's no special occasion; I just thought I'd clean up a little bit.

Hey. Are you OK? I just thought I'd see if you needed any help.

get some fresh air

“Fresh air” means the air outside. The air inside of a building can become “stale” and unpleasant, so it’s nice to go outside where the air is often cool and refreshing. You probably wouldn’t use this expression if the outside climate is very hot and humid, because that isn’t very refreshing.

We need some fresh air in here.

I think some fresh air will make me feel better.

To "get some fresh air" means to open a window or go outside, so that you can breathe air that comes from outdoors.

Turn off the computer, go outside, get some fresh air, and relax.

fresh air and sunshine

"Fresh air" and "sunshine" are two things that people often talk about together. "Fresh air" usually comes first:

What she needed was fresh air and sunshine, and good, solid food.