To say “The thing is” will just be another popular Americanism, or maybe used in all English-speaking countries, I don’t know.

It’s a phrase I call ‘extra baggage,’ by which I mean people don’t really need to say it at all. People tack it on to sentences they say for reasons that I just don’t know. Others may have more to say on the subject.

Good luck with your English, it sounds good to me!

so instead of saying, “the thing is, i can’t go to work tomorrow because, my stomach hurt’s.

you can say, “what i’m trying to make you aware of is, i can’t go to work tomorrow because, my stomach hurt’s

it’s just shorter. to say, “the thing is”

as appose to dragging it out with too many words.

however, it’s not proper in formal setting’s but, you can say it with friend’s or family. but, if you were at work or meating important people. it’s best not to use slang or broken english.

by the way awesome job on your writing. nice!