80 common english phrases
And would you lượt thích to sound lượt thích a native sầu English speaker now (instead of waiting until you reach the advanced level)?
You are in the right place!
Below are 40 basic English phrases that people use every day. They are useful phrases that will also help your knowledge of English grow.
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First, let’s look at a few ideas for how to learn these new phrases.
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How khổng lồ Learn Basic Phrases in English
As you read each phrase below for the first time, say it aloud four times. Yes, four times! (They are short phrases.)
Then, print this list of phrases.
If you have sầu a conversation partner, ask your exchange partner khổng lồ say the phrases while you record them on a smartphone, computer or recording device. That way you can listen khổng lồ the recording và practice the pronunciation by yourself at home page.
Then, choose two phrases each day to focus on. Here is what you could bởi every day lớn learn each phrase:
Picture a situation in your mind where you could use the phrase. Imagine the other people in the scene và what they are saying. See yourself saying the phrase.Finally, use the phrase in 2-5 real conversations.Write on your các mục và check off each phrase as you learn it.
If you cannot find one of your chosen phrases—or you just want more examples—kemhamysophie.com can help.
kemhamysophie.com takes real-world videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news và inspiring talks—& turns them into lớn personalized language learning lessons.
You can tìm kiếm for any words or phrases in kemhamysophie.com to instantly find authentic English videos that use them.
Every kemhamysophie.com Clip comes with interactive sầu captions. Just clichồng or tap on any unfamiliar word or phrase in the captions to get an instant definition.
Then, tap or clichồng again for even more examples.
By making native sầu English videos more understandable, kemhamysophie.com helps you learn real-life English to talk about all kinds of different topics.
Plus, kemhamysophie.com’s team is always adding lớn its đoạn Clip library, so you will always have sầu new, exciting videos khổng lồ watch and study.
You can use kemhamysophie.com anywhere, on any website browser or Mobile device.
Finally, kemhamysophie.com always remembers your progress, reminds you to lớn study & makes it easy to lớn learn on the go.
Give sầu it a free try and see how it can help you learn many useful English phrases and words.
And now, for our list of basic English phrases. Practice just two of the 40 phrases below each day—&, in 20 days, you will know the whole danh sách.
Or, if you learn one phrase each day, you will know these phrases really well in about a month and a half.
40 Basic English Phrases You’ll Use Over and OverBasic English Phrases for Introducing Yourself & Making Friends
Here are some phrases for introducing yourself when you meet new people, & questions khổng lồ learn more about them.
1. Hi! I am . (And you?)
Here is an informal greeting you can use when you meet new friends. If the person does not tell you their name, you can say your name first. Then ask, “And you?” or “And what is your name?”
Hi! I am Rebecca. And you?
2. Nice to meet you.
After you learn each other’s names, it is polite to say this phrase.
A: Hi, Rebecca, I am Chad.
B: Nice lớn meet you, Chad.
A: Nice lớn meet you, too.
3. Where are you from?
Ask this question to lớn find out which country someone is from. You answer this question with “I am from _______.”
Can you answer this question in English? Say both the question & answer aloud right now. (Four times, remember?)
A: Nice khổng lồ meet you, Sergio. So, where are you from?
B: I am from Spain.
4. What do you do?
Most adults ask each other this question when they meet. It means what vì chưng you vì chưng for a living (what is your job).
I think this question is boring, so I ask other questions. But many people will probably ask you this, so it is important to know what it means.
A: What do you do, Cathleen?
B: I work at the university as a financial speciadanh mục.
5. What vị you lượt thích to lớn bởi vì (in your miễn phí time)?
Instead of asking for someone’s job title, I prefer khổng lồ ask what they enjoy doing. The responses (answers) are usually much more interesting!
A: So, Cathleen, what do you like lớn do in your không tính tiền time?
B: I love sầu khổng lồ read & khổng lồ garden. I picked two buckets of tomatoes last week!
6. What is your phone number?
If you want to keep in tương tác with someone you just met, ask this question to lớn find out their phone number. You can replace “phone number” with “gmail address” if you want khổng lồ know their tin nhắn address.
You might also hear people use the more casual, “Can I get your phone number?”
It would be great khổng lồ meet up again sometime. What is your phone number?
7. Do you have sầu Facebook?
Many people keep in touch (contact) through Facebook. Use this question khổng lồ find out if someone has a Facebook trương mục. You might also ask, “Are you on Facebook?”
Let’s keep in touch! Do you have sầu Facebook?
Basic English Phrases for Anywhere
These eight phrases can be used in many different situations.
8. Thanks so much.
This is a simple sentence you can use to lớn thank someone.
To add detail, say:
Thanks so much + for +
For example:
Thanks so much for the birthday money.
Thanks so much for driving me home.
9. I really appreciate…
You can also use this phrase to lớn thank someone. For example, you might say:
I really appreciate your help.
Or you can combine #1 và #2:
Thanks so much for cooking dinner. I really appreciate it.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate your cooking dinner.
10. Excuse me.
When you need lớn get through but there is someone blocking your way, say “Excuse me.”
You can also say this phrase to politely get someone’s attention. For example:
Excuse me, sir, you dropped your wallet.
Excuse me, vì you know what time it is?
11. I am sorry.
Use this phrase lớn apologize, whether for something big or small. Use “for” to lớn give more detail. For example:
I am sorry for being so late.
I am sorry for the mess. I was not expecting anyone today.
You can use “really” to lớn show you are very sorry for something:
I am really sorry I did not invite you lớn the buổi tiệc nhỏ.
In fact, I am sorry has many different uses in English and they are not always that obvious! Because of this, using native sầu nội dung when learning English expressions is very important khổng lồ ensure you are learning them properly.
In the đoạn Clip below, you will explore the many different ways I am sorry can be used in English in the correct context.
For even more learning content to help you learn English, be sure lớn subscribe to lớn the kemhamysophie.com English channel.
12. What vị you think?
When you want lớn hear someone’s opinion on a topic, use this question.
I am not sure if we should paint the room yellow or blue. What do you think?
13. How does that sound?
If you suggest an idea or plan, use this phrase to find out what others think.
We could have sầu dinner at 6, and then go khổng lồ a movie. How does that sound?
Let’s hire a band to lớn play music, & Brent can photograph the sự kiện. How does that sound?
14. That sounds great.
If you like an idea, you can respond khổng lồ “How does that sound?” with this phrase. “Great” can be replaced with any synonym (similar word), such as “awesome,” “perfect,” “excellent” or “fantastic.”
A: My mom is baking cookies this afternoon. We could go khổng lồ my house & eat some. How does that sound?
B: That sounds fantastic!
15. (Oh,) never mind.
Let’s say someone does not understvà an idea you are trying khổng lồ explain. If you have sầu explained it over and over và want to lớn stop, just say “oh, never mind.” You can now talk about something else!
You can also use “never mind” lớn mean “it does not matter” or “just forget it.” In these situations, say it with a smile & positive sầu tone, though. When you say this phrase slowly with a falling, low tone, it can mean you are bothered or upmix.
A: Are you going to the grocery store today?
B: No, I am not. But why—vì you need something?
A: Oh, never mind. It is okay, I will go tomorrow.
Basic Phrases for Learning English
As an English learner, you will need lớn tell others that English is not your first language. You will also need to lớn ask native sầu speakers khổng lồ repeat phrases and words or to lớn speak slower. The following phrases will be useful for this.
16. I am learning English.
This simple phrase tells people that English is not your native sầu language. If you are a total beginner, add “just started” after I: “I just started learning English.”
My name is Sophie and I am learning English.
17. I bởi vì not understvà.
Use this phrase when you bởi not understvà what someone means.
Sorry, I bởi vì not underst&. The U.S. Electoral College seems very confusing!
18. Could you repeat that please?
If you would like someone lớn say a word, question or phrase again, use this question. Since “to repeat” means “lớn say again,” you can also ask, “Could you say that again, please?”
We can say “please” either at the end of the question or right after “you,” like this:
Could you please repeat that?
Could you repeat that, please?
19. Could you please talk slower?
Native sầu speakers can talk very fast. Fast English is hard lớn understand! This is an easy way khổng lồ ask someone to speak more slowly.
Note: This phrase is not grammatically correct. However, it is used often in every day (casual) speech. The grammatically correct question would be, “Could you please talk more slowly?”
That is because “slowly” is an adverb, so it describes verbs (like “talk”). “Slower” is a comparative sầu adjective sầu, which means it should be used khổng lồ describe nouns (people, places or things), not verbs. (For example: My oto is slower than yours.)
A: You can give sầu us a điện thoại tư vấn any weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at five five sầu five, two five sầu zero eight, extension three three—
B: I am sorry, could you please talk slower?
20. Thank you. That helps a lot.
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After someone starts speaking more slowly for you, thank them with this phrase.
You can use it in many other situations, too.
A: Ben, could you please make the fonts bigger? It is hard for me lớn read the words.
B: Sure! I will change it from form size 10 khổng lồ 16. How is this?
A: Thank you. That helps a lot.
21. What does _____ mean?
When you hear or see a new word, use this phrase to lớn ask what it means.
A: What does “font” mean?
B: It is the style of letters, numbers và punctuation marks when you type. A comtháng font in the USA is Times New Roman.
22. How vày you spell that?
English spelling can be tricky, so make sure lớn learn this question. You could also ask someone, “Could you spell that for me?”
A: My name is Robbertah Handkerchief.
B: How do you spell that?
23. What bởi you mean?
When you understvà the words one by one, but not what they mean together, use this question. You can ask it whenever you are confused about what someone is telling you.
A: The Smiths do have a really nice house, but the grass is always greener on the other side.
B: What do you mean?
A: I mean that if we had the Smith’s house, we probably would not be happier. We always think other people have better lives than us, but other people have sầu problems, too.
Basic English Phrases for Shopping
Everyone needs to lớn go shopping, whether it is for food, clothing or household items lượt thích furniture. These phrases will help you find what you want to buy and how much it costs.
24. Can you help me?
If you need help while you are shopping, this is a simple way lớn ask.
Can you help me? I cannot find what I want.
Excuse me, can you help me?
25. I am looking for…
If you cannot find what you want in a store, you can ask a salesperson lớn help you find it. Just add the name of what you want lớn buy after the phrase “I am looking for…”
Excuse me, I am looking for a winter coat.
I am looking for snow boots. Can you help me?
26. Do you have this
If you see something you like, but you bởi not lượt thích the color, you can ask if you can get it in a different color.
Another way khổng lồ say this is “Does this come in a different color?”
You can also add the name of the object after “this.”
I vị not like this shade of red. Do you have this in a different color?
Does this bowl come in a different color? This will not match my kitchen.
27. I bởi vì not know my size.
Sizes for clothing & other things differs from country lớn country, so you might have sầu to look up the correct kích cỡ for the country where you are shopping.
If you cannot figure out your correct size, it is perfectly fine khổng lồ ask for help from the sales staff.
I vị not know my kích thước. Can you help me?
I want to lớn buy a shirt, but I vì chưng not know my size.
28. I need this in a kích cỡ ______
This is a simple way lớn ask for a piece of clothing or a household tòa tháp in the kích cỡ you need—if you already happen to lớn know the right kích thước.
I need this in a kích cỡ 10, please.
This is too large. I need this in a size 5.
29. Where can I find - ?
Since every supermarket is set up (arranged) a little differently, we all can have difficulty finding certain items.
You can ask someone at the store to help you find what you need with this simple phrase: “Where can I find…?” Just add the name of what you want after “find.”
The store clerk might answer you with a phrase lượt thích, “It is on aisle eight,” or, “It is in the Produce section, near the lettuce.”
Customer: Where can I find black olives?
Sales clerk: They are on aisle ten, near the pickles.
Customer: Where can I find a bag of almonds?
Sales clerk: They are in the baking section, on aisle seven.
30. How much does this/that cost?
If you are holding something you want khổng lồ buy, or it is right near you, you can say “How much does this cost?” to find out (learn) the price.
You can also put the name of the object you want lớn after “this.”
I need lớn buy a toaster. How much does this cost?
How much does this shirt cost?
If you can see what you want lớn buy, but it is not right near you, you can point to it and say, “How much does that cost?” or “How much is that
How much is that lamp over there?
31. I bởi vì not need a bag.
Let’s say you have sầu bought something small. You can easily carry it. You might tell the sales clerk or cashier that you bởi not need a shopping bag.
You might also say this if you have sầu a shopping bag with you and vị not need to lớn get one from the store.
No, thank you. I vày not need a bag. I can just carry it.
I vị not need a bag. I brought my own with me.
32. Can someone help me carry this out?
If you buy something really large & hard to carry, like a table or a huge order of groceries, you are going lớn need help.
Most stores that sell large & heavy items offer assistance (help) from a member of staff. The staff thành viên can help you carry your purchase (what you have sầu bought) out of the store. They might even help you place it in your vehicle.
This is too heavy for me. Can someone help me carry this out?
Can someone help me carry this out? I have sầu eighteen bags of groceries here!
33. Can I have sầu this delivered?
Sometimes, you need to buy something so large—và so heavy—that there is no way you could bring it home page from the store yourself.
That is when you will want to lớn ask, “Can I have sầu this delivered?”
This refrigerator is perfect! Can I have this delivered?
Can I have sầu this delivered next Tuesday?
Basic English Phrases for Work
Finally, here are seven basic phrases you might use at a job.
34. How can I help you?
If you work in customer service, you will use this phrase a lot. It is also a comtháng phrase when answering the phone.
35. I will be with you in a moment.
When someone wants khổng lồ see you, you might not be ready to lớn talk khổng lồ them. Use this phrase if you need a minute lớn finish something first. If a client is waiting for help, you can also use this phrase to show that their turn is next.
You can replace “moment” with “minute”: “I will be with you in (just) a minute.”
Another comtháng phrase for this situation is “I will be right with you.”
Good morning! I will be with you in a moment.
If you are finding these phrases useful, take a look at Creativa, where you will find more useful English phrases for work.
Creativa is a new product from the kemhamysophie.com team. With useful and surprising tips, Creativa‘s high-unique videos help you learn skills to communicate well in business English.
More than just teaching English words và phrases, Creativa shows you how to use body toàn thân language and the tone of your voice to lớn better connect with English speakers at work.
Here is a sample video clip from Creativa’s Mastering Business Video Calls in English course, which has tips for expressing yourself effectively:
36. What time is our meeting?
You can use this question’s structure to ask the time of any event: “What time is
If you want to lớn ask about a meeting on a certain day, add “on
What time is our meeting on Wednesday?
37. Please điện thoại tư vấn me (back) at…
When you want someone khổng lồ hotline you or khổng lồ gọi you back (lớn return your call), use this phrase lớn give sầu your phone number.
Hi, this is Cathleen from the financial office.
I am wondering if you found those missing receipts.
Please gọi me back at 555-5555. Thanks!
38. (Oh really?) Actually, I thought…
When you disagree with someone, “Actually, I thought…” will make you sound kinder và more polite than saying “No” or “You are wrong.” This phrase is useful when you have sầu a different idea than someone else.
You can use “actually, I…” with many different verbs: “heard,” “learned,” “am,” “can,” “cannot,” etc.
A: So Sam is coming in tonight at 8, right?
B: Actually, I thought he was not working at all this week.
A: Oh, ok. I will have sầu to lớn look at the schedule again.
39. When is the deadline?
When someone gives you a task or project to complete, you need lớn know how long you have sầu to finish it.
A deadline is a date or time when something must be completely done.
You can ask “When is the deadline?” khổng lồ find out when you need to lớn be done with your task or project.
“When is it due?” is another way to lớn ask for this information.
A: I need you to lớn write a sales report.
B: When is the deadline?
A: I need it by next Tuesday.
C: Please send the customer an estimate.
D: When is it due?
C: They want it tomorrow morning, before 9.
40. I am (just) about lớn …
When you are going to start something very soon, you are “just about to” vì something.
I am just about khổng lồ send those faxes.
I am about khổng lồ go và piông xã up some coffee. Do you want anything?
These 40+ phrases are just the beginning. There are many other easy English phrases you can learn as a beginner. When you are ready, kiểm tra out these posts for more:
Happy learning!
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