Beginner Phrases
10 Ways to Say "Hello & Goodbye"
10 Informal Ways to Say "Yes & No"
20 Ways to Ask "How Someone Is & How Are You"
20 Ways to Say Thank You and Ways to Respond to “Thank You”
10 Phrases for Apologizing and to Respond to an Apology
10 Phrases for Introductions
6 Ways to Express Interest in a Conversation
5 Ways to End a Conversation Politely
10 Phrases for Telephone Calls
10 Phrases for Asking for Information
5 Ways to Say "I don't know"
15 Phrases for Asking for Someone’s Opinion & Giving Your Opinion & Not having an Opinion
20 Phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing
10 Phrases for Responding to Good News and Bad News
10 Phrases for Invitations
5 Phrases to Make & Respond to an Offer
6 Phrases for Talking about Future Plans
10 Ways to Talk about Likes & Dislikes
5 Ways to Make a Suggestion
10 Phrases for Asking/Talking about Jobs
10 Phrases for Describing Relationships
Beginner Phrases
10 Ways to Say "Hello & Goodbye"
Parting Salutations:
Greetings:
Formal Informal
Formal Informal Bye See ya later
Hello Hey
Hi Bye-bye
Hi there Howdy
Take care
Have a good one
10 Informal Ways to Say "Yes & No"
Agreement Disagreement
Yeah Nope
Yup Nah
Mm-hmm! Mm-mm
Uh-huh! Uh-uh
Sure! No way!
20 Ways to Ask "How Someone Is & How Are You"
How Someone Is How Are You
What’s up?* I’m fine, thanks. How about you?
What’s new?* Pretty good.
How’s life? Not bad.
How’s your family? Great!
How’s it going? Same as always.
How are things? Not so great.
How are you? Could be better.
How ya doin’? Couldn’t be better!
How have you been? Can’t complain.
What have you been up to lately? I’ve been busy.
*Note: The way to respond to “What’s up?” and “What’s new?” is typically “Not much.”
20 Ways to Say Thank You and Ways to Respond to “Thank You”
Thanking Responding
Thanks. You’re welcome.
Thanks a lot. No problem.
Thank you so much. No worries.
Thanks a million! Don’t mention it.
Thanks for your help. / Thanks for helping me. My pleasure.
I really appreciate it. Anytime.
I’m really grateful. It was the least I could do.
That’s so kind of you. Glad to help.
I can’t thank you enough. (for extremely important things) Sure!
I owe you one. (this means you want/need to do a favor Thank you. (use this when you ALSO have
for the other person in the future) something to thank the other person for)
10 Phrases for Apologizing and to Respond to an Apology
Apologizing Responding
I’m sorry that... [ex. I was so rude yesterday] That’s OK.
It’s my fault. (= I am taking responsibility for the It happens.
problem) No problem.
Oops, sorry. (for very small problems) Don’t worry about it.
I should have... [ex. called you and told you I’d be I forgive you. (for serious problems)
late]
(formal) I apologize for... [ex. the delay]
10 Phrases for Introductions
- I’d like you to meet...
- Have you met... ?
To introduce yourself:
- I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m... [your name]
- I don’t think we’ve met before. My name’s... [your name]
To introduce someone else:
- This is...
- I’d like to introduce you to...
Saying:
- Nice to meet you.
- It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Responding:
- Likewise.
- And you.
6 Ways to Express Interest in a Conversation
Sure
Really? Uh-huh
Right
That’s
Gotcha interesting
*You can use these phrases to show the other person that you are listening.
5 Ways to End a Conversation Politely
- It was nice chatting with you.
- Well, it’s getting late.
- Anyway, I should get going.
- I’m sorry to cut you off, but I actually gotta run. (cut you off = interrupt you)
- (formal) Sorry, but I’m afraid I need to...
10 Phrases for Telephone Calls
- Hi, this is Jane.
- I’m calling about... Formal Informal
- I’m returning your call. May I speak with John Smith? Is John there?
- He’s not here. Would you like to leave a One moment, please. Hang on a sec.
message?
- Could you ask him to call me back?
- Thanks for calling.
10 Phrases for Asking for Information
- Can you tell me...?
- Could you tell me...?
- I'd like to know...
- I was wondering...
- Could anyone tell me...? (use this phrase when asking a group of people)
- I’m calling to find out... (use this phrase on the telephone)
When you’re not sure if the other person has the information:
- Do you know...
- Do you have any idea...?
- Would you happen to know...?
- I don't suppose you (would) know...?
5 Ways to Say "I don't know"
- I have no idea/clue.
- I can’t help you there.
- I’m not really sure.
- I’ve been wondering that, too.
- (informal) Beats me.
15 Phrases for Asking for Someone’s Opinion & Giving Your Opinion & Not having an Opinion
Asking for Opinion Giving Opinion Not having an Opinion
What do you think In my opinion... I’ve never given it much thought.
about...? I'd say... I don’t have strong feelings either
How do you feel about...? Personally, I think/believe... way.
What are your views on...? If you ask me... It doesn’t make any difference to me.
In my opinion... I have no opinion on the matter.
The way I see it... (very informal) Whatever.
From my point of view...
20 Phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing
Agreeing Disagreeing
Exactly. I don’t think so.
Absolutely. I beg to differ.
That’s so true. I’m afraid I don’t agree.
That’s for sure. I’m not so sure about that.
I agree 100% That’s not how I see it.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Not necessarily.
That’s exactly what I think. / That’s exactly how I feel. Yes, but... [say your opinion]
(informal) Tell me about it! / You’re telling me! On the contrary.
(informal) I’ll say! (very informal) No way!
I suppose so. (use this phrase for weak agreement – (very strong) I totally disagree.
you agree, but reluctantly)
* Note: Avoid the common error of saying “I’m agree” – the correct phrase is “I agree” or “I’m in agreement” –
the second one is more formal.
10 Phrases for Responding to Good News and Bad News
Good News Bad News
Congratulations! Oh no...
That’s great! That’s terrible.
How wonderful! Poor you. (Use this to respond to bad situations that are not too serious)
Awesome! I’m so sorry to hear that.
I’m so happy for you! I’m sorry for your loss. (Use this only if someone has died)
10 Phrases for Invitations
- Are you free... [Saturday night?]
- Are you doing anything... [Saturday night?]
- Let me check my calendar.
- I’d love to!
- Sounds great!
- I’d love to, but I have another commitment.
- I don’t think I can.
- Maybe another time.
- (informal) Do you wanna... [see a movie?]
- (formal) Would you like to... [join me for dinner?]
5 Phrases to Make & Respond to an Offer
Making an offer Responding to an offer
Can I get you something to eat? That’d be great, thanks. (= yes)
(more formal) Would you like a drink?
(informal) Do you want some water? No, thanks. I’m OK. (= no)
6 Phrases for Talking about Future Plans
- I’m going to...
- I’m planning to...
- I hope to...
- I’d like to...
- I might... / I may...
- I’m thinking about...
10 Ways to Talk about Likes & Dislikes
Likes Dislikes
I love... [soccer] I’m not a huge fan of... [modern art]
I’m really into... [soccer] [Modern art] isn’t my cup of tea.
I live for... [soccer] I don’t really care for... [modern art]
[soccer] is my thing. I’m not into... [modern art]
I’m crazy about... [soccer] I can’t stand... [modern art] (this phrase expresses strong dislike)
5 Ways to Make a Suggestion
Making a Suggestion with (ing) Making a Suggestion without (ing)
How about... [ex. trying something new]? Why don’t you... [ex. talk to your boss]?
Have you thought about... [ex. buying a new computer]?
I’d recommend... [ex. going to the doctor]. Maybe we should... [ex. do more research].
10 Phrases for Asking/Talking about Jobs
Asking about Jobs Talking about Jobs
Where do you work? I work at... [Microsoft].
What do you do? / I’m a/an... [accountant].
What do you do for a I’m unemployed. / I’m between jobs at the moment.
living? I’m looking for work.
I’m a stay-at-home mom/dad.
I run my own business.
I’m a freelance... [writer/designer/etc.]
I’m retired.
10 Phrases for Describing Relationships
- I’m single.
- I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
- We’re engaged. (= going to get married)
- We’re getting married in June.
- I’m married.
- I’ve been married for... [10 years].
- I’m divorced.
- I’m widowed. (= my husband/wife has died)
- I’m not looking for anything serious.
- I’m not quite over my ex. (= I still have feelings for my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-husband/wife)
