Spoken English

Common Use Sentences 

1.      Can you give me a hand with this?

2.      Could you help me for a second?

3.      Can I ask a favour?

4.      I wonder if you could help me with this?

5.      I could do with some help, please.

6.      I can't manage. Can you help?

7.      Give me a hand with this, will you?

8.      Lend me a hand with this, will you?

9.      Could you spare a moment?

10.  I need some help, please.

11.  Can you tell me...?

12.  Could you tell me...?

13.  I'd like to know...

14.  D'you know...

15.  (Got / Have you) any idea...?

16.  Could anyone tell me...?

17.  (Do / Would) you happen to know...?

18.  I don't suppose you (would) know...?

19.  I wonder if you could tell me...?

20.  I wonder if someone could tell me...?

21.  I reckon you should stop now

22.  Why don't you stop now?

23.  How about stopping now?

24.  If I were you, I'd stop now.

25.  I suggest you stop now

26.  You'd (really) better stop right now.

27.  I would strongly advise you to stop

28.  My advice would be to stop now

29.  It might be a good idea to stop

30.  You might try stopping

31.  Hang on a moment / a mo.

32.  Give us a second.

33.  Half a moment / a mo.

34.  I'll be right with you.

35.  Sorry, I'm a bit tied up right now.

36.  Wait and see.

37.  You'll just have to be patient.

38.  Give me a chance.

39.  Don't be so impatient.

40.  We wish to apologise for the delay to...

41.  What did you do last night?

42.  Did you do anything last night?

43.  What did you get up to last night?

44.  Did you go out last night?

45.  How was last night? Do anything?

46.  How was your night last night?

47.  Do anything special last night?

48.  Was last night a good one?

49.  Did you have fun last night?

50.  Did you have a fun time last night?

51.  fairly often...

52.  more often than not...

53.  (at least) half the time...

54.  almost every other day...

55.  several times a week / a year

56.  every so often...

57.  now and then...

58.  from time to time...

59.  once in a while...

60.  on a good day...

61.  It's not so easy..

62.  It's a bit tricky..

63.  It's not the easiest ___ in the world..

64.  It's quite tough at times..

65.  It's (quite / a bit) hard going..

66.  It's nigh on impossible..

67.  The course is quite demanding.

68.  The course can be gruelling at times

69.  It isn't a walk in the park

70.  It's not a course for the faint-hearted.

71.  Not too good.

72.  Not so great.

73.  A little under the weather.

74.  A bit rough.

75.  A bit the worse for wear.

76.  Much the same as yesterday.

77.  A bit better.

78.  As well as can be expected.

79.  (I feel) lousy.

80.  Bloody awful.

81.  You must be Susan's husband.

82.  How's your wife / friend?

83.  Nice weather, isn't it?

84.  What's new?

85.  I haven't seen you for ages.

86.  What have you been up to?

87.  Are you still working for the same firm?

88.  Have you heard from Jenny recently?

89.  What a coincidence!

90.  Fancy meeting you here!

91.  You look familiar - have I seen you before

92.  Don't I know you? Haven't we met before?

93.  Hi. I'm Paul. What's your name?

94.  Can I offer you a drink?

95.  Do you know anyone here?

96.  You're a great dancer.

97.  I like the way you dance.

98.  Do you come here often?

99.  Greengrocer's

100. Butcher's

101. Baker's

102. Chemist's

103. Stationer's / Stationery shop

104. Ironmonger's / Hardware shop

105. Florist's

106. Newsagent's

107. Off Licence

108. Corner shop

109. It's common knowledge that...

110. It's a fact (that)..

111. Anyone will tell you..

112. Everybody knows that...

113. It's a well-established fact that

114. Few people would deny that..

115. It's no secret that...

116. I think we can all accept / agree that..

117. It is generally assumed that...

118. It has been scientifically proven that...

119. What are you doing tomorrow?

120. Got any plans for tomorrow?

121. What's your plan for tomorrow?

122. Are you doing anything tomorrow?

123. What's on the cards for tomorrow?

124. Busy tomorrow?

125. Have you got anything on tomorrow?

126. Have you got anything planned for tomorrow

127. What's happening tomorrow?

128. How's tomorrow looking?

129. (A bit) annoyed.

130. (A bit) peeved.

131. Wound up.

132. None too pleased.

133. In a foul mood. / In a temper

134. (Absolutely) furious / fuming

135. Go through the roof / Go ballistic

136. Be on the warpath

137. Storm out

138. See red

Conversation Starters & Greetings

How are you getting on? – just another way of saying ‘how are you?’

You doing OK? – asked when the person has had some tough experience recently and you want to ask politely if they’re OK.
Hi, …! What’s new? – this is a very informal way of greeting a close friend or anyone who you see on a regular basis and you want to ask has anything happened since you last met.
Hi, …! What’s up? – the same as above with a difference that you’re probably not that interested in what news the other person might have.
Hi, …! Long time no see! – used when you haven’t seen the person for a long period of time and you want to state that fact in the greeting.
Hi, …! Have you been keeping busy? – just a standard enquiry with little or no direct meaning.
Do you mind me asking…? – a typical way of asking something that might be a slightly personal question.
OK, here’s the thing … – a very handy way to start making your point if you’re not sure how to begin the sentence.

Typical Responses

Thanks, I’ve been keeping busy – just a standard response to a standard greeting with little or no direct meaning.

Thanks for asking, I’m fine, how are you? – a typical response and counter-question to a greeting phrase ‘how are you?’
Hi, how you’re doing! It’s good to see you! – a typical response to a greeting from someone you haven’t seen for a while.
Can’t complain – a response to a standard greeting like ‘How are you?’ It’s not as exciting phrase as ‘Thanks, I’m great!’ but it doesn’t mean you’re having some problems in your life.
Can you say it again, please? – a request to repeat the question if you didn’t understand what was said. This can also be used when the native speaking person speaks a bit too fast – they should get the hint and slow down a bit. But if they don’t, you can ask a more direct question:
Can you slow it down a bit, please?
And how about you? – a typical response when you’re not sure what to ask next so you’re asking the other person the same think they asked you. You can respond with this counter-greeting on nearly all standard greetings.
To the best of my knowledge … – when you’re 99% sure about the statement you’re making. Also a good start of a response you want to take a bit more time to consider what you’re going to say.
As far as I know … – the same as above.
Good for you! – a response to someone telling you about their success in something or some good news that they’re happy about.
Can’t argue with that – used when you agree with the statement of the other person.
How do you know? – a counter-question you can ask when someone surprises you with a question about something they’re not really expected to know.
That’s a good one! – a surprise response to funny or surprising news from your chat partner.
Really? Tell me more about it! – used when you want your chat partner to tell me about what he/she just said.
Frankly speaking, … – just a way to start your response. It indicates that you’re about to open up and be very honest with your chat partner. A great way of establishing an immediate trust.
Well, to be honest with you, … – the same as above.
No problem – a typical response to a small request you’re happy to do. This one is especially used when responding to superiors’ requests and it sounds more enthusiastic than if you simply say ‘sure’ or ‘OK’.
Never mind, it’s fine! - this phrase is used when the person offers to do a favour for you but it’s not really necessary.
Never mind, forget what I just said – this phrase is to be used when you said something that wasn’t important at all but your chat partner wants you to repeat it. You can also use this phrase if you feel that he/she might be slightly annoyed or offended by your question or comment so you want to end it there.
You got me there – this can be said instead of ‘I don’t’ know’ – it will sound more casual and not as defensive as the old ‘I don’t know’!
You’ve got to be kidding me! – said when someone tells you something that borders on the unbelievable and you want to express your surprise.
That’s a good question. – a phrase used when you want to take your time to think over the question. This is an ideal phrase to use when you’re stuck but instead of remaining silent you can start your response with this phrase.
Well, how to put it in the right words. – the same as above.
That would be great! – a response to an offer that you’re really happy about.
… you know what I mean? – this is quite an overused phrase but you can definitely use it at the end of a sentence if you want to emphasize what you just said.
You see, the thing is that … – this is how you begin a sentence when you’re asked to explain something.

Industry Small-talk (NEW!!!)

Another day! – this is just a short phrase you can use to start your working day with. It doesn’t necessarily mean your job is boring; it merely states the fact that you all have a brand new working day ahead.

Nose to the grindstone! – this one is a typical English idiom, and it means to start working hard and be 100% focused on what you’re doing. Typically you’d use this one at the end of a conversation as a way of indicating you’re going back to your work-related duties.
How was your weekend? – you can use this small-talk greeting to inquire about the person’s weekend and it’s a typical small-talk phrase you’d hear on a Monday morning.
Anything new going on? – again, a typical phrase to be used when coming into work – especially after a weekend or a few days off.
The boss is in a mood… – you can use this small-talk phrase to let your colleagues know your boss is in a bad mood and it’s best to steer clear to avoid trouble. Please note you don’t even have to say “in a BAD mood”; the word “mood” says it all just on its own.
All work and no play! – this is another English idiom and you can use it when having a conversation about going out and taking some rest. Here’s a typical sentence: “Hey Jim, why not go out tonight, we’ve been working so hard – all work and no play!”
Better keep the head down today – this English idiomatic expression comes in handy when you need to advise someone to stay quiet and avoid problems. Maybe it’s because that person’s been out drinking the night before, maybe it’s because they’ve been giving others hard time and the boss is after them – there are many situations when this small-talk phrase can be used!

Departure Phrases

I’d better be going – followed by a simple phrase like ‘it’s too late’, or ‘have lots to do’ – and indicator you’d like to walk off and finish the conversation.

OK, I’m sorry but I have to leave now! – used when your chat partner has clear intentions of continuing the conversation but you just need to go so you’re making it clear that you need to go.
See you later! – used when you know that you’ll be seeing each other again sometime.
See you around! – the same as above
Keep in touch! – a good-bye phrase meaning you want the other person to get in touch with you every now and then and that you’ve the same intentions.
It was nice seeing you, take care! – a good-bye phrase used when you know that you won’t see the person for a while.
It’s been good talking to you! – the same as above phrase.
Hope to see you again! – you can use this phrase when finishing a conversation with someone you’ve just met.
Say hello to …! – a short and handy way of saying to remind someone from you.

OK
of course
of course not
that's fine
that's right
sure
certainly
definitely
absolutely
as soon as possible
that's enough
it doesn't matter
it's not important
it's not serious
it's not worth it
I'm in a hurry
I've got to go
I'm going out
sleep well
same to you!
me too
not bad
I like ...
him
her
it
I don't like ...
him
her
it

Thanks and apologies

thanks for your ...
help
hospitality
email
I'm sorry
I'm really sorry
sorry I'm late
sorry to keep you waiting
sorry for the delay

Exclamations

look!
great!
come on!
only joking! or just kidding!
bless you! (after a sneeze)
that's funny!
that's funny, ...
that's life!
damn it!

Instructions

come in!
please sit down
could I have your attention, please?
let's go!
hurry up!
get a move on!
calm down
steady on!
hang on a second
hang on a minute
one moment, please
just a minute
take your time
please be quiet
shut up!
stop it!
don't worry
don't forget
help yourself
go ahead
let me know!

If you would like to let someone pass through a door in front of you, it is polite to say:

after you!

Sound is available for all the English phrases on this page — simply click on any phrase to hear it.

Common questions

where are you?
what's this?
what's that?
what's this called?
is anything wrong?
what's the matter?
is everything OK?
have you got a minute?
have you got a pen I could borrow?
really?
are you sure?
why?
why not?
what's going on?
what's happening?
what happened?
what?
where?
when?
who?
how?

Congratulations and commiserations

congratulations!
well done!
good luck!
bad luck!
never mind!
what a pity! or what a shame!
happy birthday!
happy New Year!
happy Easter!
happy Christmas! or merry Christmas!
happy Valentine's Day!
glad to hear it
sorry to hear that

Expressing needs and feelings

I'm tired
I'm exhausted
I'm hungry
I'm thirsty
I'm bored
I'm worried
I'm looking forward to it
I'm in a good mood
I'm in a bad mood
I can't be bothered

More ways to greet or say goodbye to someone

welcome!
welcome to ...
England
long time no see!
all the best!
see you tomorrow!

Asking and expressing opinions

what do you think?
I think that ...
I hope that ...
I'm afraid that ...
in my opinion, ...
I agree
I disagree or I don't agree
that's true
that's not true
I think so
I hope so
you're right
you're wrong
I don't mind
it's up to you
that depends
that's interesting