Speak English With Vanessa
Free PDF Worksheet
Daily Life English
Dear English Learner,
Get ready to speak confidently with all the top phrases for daily life English. I recommend
reading these sample sentences out loud, watching the original YouTube lesson here, and using
the blank space on the last page to answer my challenge question using what you’ve learned.
Thanks so much for learning English with me!
Your teacher,
Vanessa
Vocabulary–More Ways to Say It
If you’ve already eaten a lot of food and someone asks you, “Would you like another
piece of pie?” You could say…
No thanks, I’m full.
But you could also say…
No thanks, I’m stuffed.
or
No thanks, I can’t eat another bite.
If someone tells you a joke that is funny you could respond by saying…
That’s hilarious!
You could also say…
That cracks me up. / You crack me up.
Or if it’s a really funny you could say
That’s hysterical!
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Phrases-Advanced English Expressions
Do you think I should ask Sarah if she likes my outfit?
Only if you want an honest answer. She doesn’t sugarcoat her opinions.
Sugarcoat: to make things sound nicer
How’s your grandma doing?
She’s doing okay, but I wish she’d eat more. Ever since she got sick she eats like a
bird.
To eat like a bird: to not eat very much
Do you think this will be enough food for dinner?
I don’t know. Now that John’s a teenager, he eats like a horse.
To eat like a horse: to eat a lot of food
I thought I’d spice things up in my wardrobe for a change, so I bought some clothes
that are a lot fancier than I normally wear.
To spice things up: to make something more exciting
I was really friendly to the new guy at work but didn’t even talk to me. He just gave me
the cold shoulder.
To give the cold shoulder: an unfriendly attitude shown to someone
If you listen to my advice and play your cards right, you’ll get front row tickets to that
concert.
To play your cards right: to do something carefully, in the correct order
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Did you know that she’s pregnant?
Oops, I just spilled the beans.
To spill the beans: to reveal a secret
Why did you just show up at my house? You know, texting me before you come is a
good rule of thumb.
A good rule of thumb: a good way of doing something
Oh, you love my English lessons? Wait! Are you just trying to butter me up?
To butter someone up: to praise or compliment someone in hopes of getting
something in return
Do you remember Sarah?
Oh, that name rings a bell.
Rings a bell: when something sounds familiar to you
You only applied to one college?
It’s not a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.
To put all your eggs in one basket: to invest heavily in one thing instead of giving
yourself options
I’m going to school full-time, I have 2 kids, and I’m working 3 jobs. Man, I think I bit off
more than I can chew.
To bite off more than you can chew: to take on too much
I have to practice the guitar at least 5 times a week so I don’t lose my touch.
To lose your touch: to lose your skill
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I only invited a few friends over, but somehow it got out of hand and twenty people
showed up at my house!
To get out of hand: to get crazy
The weather has been really rainy lately, so we’re going to have to play it by ear if we
want to go to the beach.
To play it by ear: to be flexible
Vocabulary–Items from Daily Life
Ballpoint pen
Mechanical pencil
Dry erase marker
Masking tape
Sticky notes
Ruler
Compass
Protractor
Calculator
Construction paper
Graph paper
Wide-ruled notebook paper
College-ruled notebook paper
Sink basin
Faucet
Spigot
Hot and cold water handles
Spray nozzle
Tap water
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Triple A ba tteries
Double A ba tteries
(notice that in American English, the T changes to a D sound in “batteries”)
Vocabulary Quiz
What do I mean when I say: My stomach’s growling?
A) My stomach hurts
B) I’m hungry
C) I’m angry
If you said B - you’re correct!
I didn’t have time to eat lunch and now my stomach’s growling.
What do I mean when I say: My car is totaled.
A) My car has all the latest features.
B) My car costs a lot of money.
C) My car was in an accident and is no longer driveable.
If you said C - you’re right!
“I can’t drive you to the airport because my car is totaled.”
What do I mean when I say: The grocery store is just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
A) The grocery store is hard to get to.
B) The grocery store is far away.
C) The grocery store is close by.
Did you choose C? Great job! That’s the right answer.
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We don’t need to take the car because the grocery store’s just a hop, skip, and a jump
away.
What do I mean when I say: If you forget to add flour to this recipe, you’re pretty much
doomed.
A) You’re in luck because flour isn’t an essential ingredient
B) Can expect a negative outcome
C) You can expect the recipe to be too salty
If you chose B, you’re correct! Way to go.
I knew I was doomed when I showed up to my final exam 30 minutes late.
Phrases–Simple to Advanced
The museum was crowded. → We were packed like sardines.
I’m done with work today. → I’m going to call it a day.
I know that you really didn’t do your homework. Don’t lie again → Don’t cry wolf.
I talked with him at the bar but he hardly noticed me. → He hardly gave me a second
glance.
I’ve been thinking a lot but I just can’t come up with a good solution → I’ve been
racking my brain but I just can’t come up with a good solution.
The house is really clean. → The house is spic and span.
My dad gives me the best big hugs. → My dad gives me the best bear hugs.
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I’d like to buy a souvenir but they’re not really unique or well-made. → I’d like to buy a
souvenir but they’re all a dime a dozen.
He’s really doing his math homework quickly! → He’s really flying through his math
homework!
Go ahead and add french fries to your order. It won’t cost much money. → It won’t
break the bank.
The name of that restaurant doesn’t sound familiar. → The name of that restaurant
doesn’t ring a bell.
I won’t tell you the whole story, but I lost my dog yesterday. → To make a long story
short, I Iost my dog yesterday.
Decorating a cake is harder than I thought it would be. → Decorating a cake is easier
said than done.
In the summer I constantly have to pull the weeds in my garden. → In the summer I
have to pull the weeds 24/7.
I didn’t think I’d enjoy jogging everyday but it’s going pretty well. → I didn’t think I’d
enjoy jogging everyday but so far, so good.
Phrases–Level-Up
How can you let someone know just how thirsty you really are?
Situation: You just ate a piece of pizza that was salty.
You can say: I’m thirsty. (moderate level of thirst)
Situation: You just ran 3 miles on a hot day.
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You can say: I’m parched. (intense level of thirst)
Situation: You’ve been wandering in the desert.
You can say: I’m dying of thirst. (extreme level of thirst)
How can you let someone know just how tired you really are?
Situation: You just ate a really big lunch and now you have the urge to take a little nap.
You can say: I’m sleepy. (moderate level of tiredness)
Situation: You came home after a long day of work.
You can say: I’m worn out. OR I’m beat. (intense level of tiredness)
Situation: You have a newborn baby at home and you haven’t been able to sleep more
than 2 or 3 hours in a row.
You can say: I’m exhausted. OR I’m completely exhausted. (extreme level of
tiredness)
Can I have change for a 20?
Meaning: Someone wants smaller denominations
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Grammar Challenge
Which one is correct?
I have already eaten today.
OR
I have already ate today.
Correct answer: I have already eaten today!
Irregular Plurals
oose - Moose
G
Goose becomes Geese.
And moose remains moose!
1 goose - 5 geese
1 moose - 5 moose
Mouse - mice
1 mouse - 2 mice
Ox - oxen
1 ox - 2 oxen
Wolf - wolves
1 wolf - 2 wolves
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1 sheep - 2 sheep
1 fish - 2 fish
1 deer - 2 deer
1 bison - 2 bison
Homophone Quiz
Which is correct: Accept or Except?
Oh yes, I _____ your apology. I know it was just an accident.
Answer: Accept
Which is correct: Accept or Except?
I like everything on my pizza ____ onions.
Answer: Except
Which is correct: There or Their?
You can put your backpack over _____ on the shelf.
Answer: There
Which is correct: There or Their?
I really like _____ new song. It’s so catchy!
Answer: Their
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Which is correct: Flour or Flower?
If you want to bake a cake you’ll need to buy more _____ ?
Answer: Flour
Which is correct: Flour or Flower?
Let’s put one _____ on each table.
Answer: Flower
Which is correct: Hear or Here?
Can you speak a little louder? I can’t _____ you.
Answer: Hear
Which is correct: Hear or Here?
Can we stop _____ and rest a few minutes? I’m tired.
Answer: Here
Which is correct: Weather or Whether?
I don’t know ____ or not I should go to the party.
Answer: Whether
Which is correct: Weather or Whether?
Did you check the ____ report? I think it’s gonna rain.
Answer: Weather
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American English Pronunciation
Comfortable [comf-ter-bul]
Entrepreneur [on-tra-pra-noo-er]
Thorough [ther-oh]
Girl [ger-ul]
World [wer-uld]
Squirrel [squer-ul]
February [feb-u-ar-y]
Wednesday [wenz-day]
Receipt [re-seet]
Through [thrOO]
Though [thow]
Bottle
note: The T changes to a D sound
Colonel [kur-nuhl]
Mischievous [mis-chuh-vuhs]
Rural [rur-ul]
Warm [wor-m]
Warn [wor-n]
Worm [wer-m]
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Butter
Water
Sweater
In American English, the T changes to a D sound in each word.
We’re [wer]
Where [w-air]
Were [wer]
We’re going where they were.
I’m going to have some breakfast. → I’m gonna have some breakfast.
I’ve got to do a lot of work around the house today. → I’ve gotta do a lot of work around
the house today.
I want to go with you. → I wanna go with you.
You don’t have to clean that up by yourself. → You don’t hafta clean that up by yourself.
Can I borrow twenty dollars for dinner? → Can I borrow twenny bucks for dinner?
I’ve heard English is difficult to learn.
Heard
Learn
Tip: In American English the R is a hard sound. We call it a “colored R” sound.
Imagine you are an angry dog. RrrrrrrRR!
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Tongue Twisters
Begin slowly, and say it faster each time:
She sells seashells by the seashore.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Pronunciation Quiz
Which of these words are pronounced similarly?
Needed
Started
Lived
Answer: Needed and Started
Both -ed endings sound like “id”
Which is correct: Berry or Very
Don’t pet that cat, she’s not _____ friendly.
Answer: Very
That berry is very sour.
Which is correct: Sit or Seat
Go ahead and have a _____.
Answer: Seat
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It feels good to sit down in a comfortable seat.
Speak With Me
Hey!
What to say next:
Hey, what’s up?
Or
Hey, how’s it goin’?
Or
Hey, whatcha doin’?
What NOT to say:
Hey, how do you do?
This phrase is too old-fashioned and weird in American English.
Hey, what’s the weather tomorrow?
What to say:
It’s gonna rain.
Or
It’s gonna be rainy.
Or
It’s gonna be coming down all day.
What NOT to say:
It’s gonna rain cats and dogs.
This phrase is too old-fashioned and weird in American English.
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I just found out it’s supposed to rain every day of my beach vacation.
What to say:
That’s a bummer.
Or
That’s unfortunate.
Or
That’s disappointing.
What NOT to say:
I’m so sorry for your misfortune.
This phrase is too old-fashioned and weird in American English.
Phrase: That sucks!
When to say it: Casual situations
I lost my luggage at the airport!
Sorry man, that sucks!
What NOT to say it: Serious, important situations
My dog just died.
Say this instead: Oh, I am so sorry.
Phrase: That’s a shame.
When to say it: Serious situations when you want to show you care
That’s a shame you didn’t get the promotion. I know how much you really wanted it.
🤞
Fingers crossed! I hope you get the job!
👍
Thumbs up! Awesome!
👊
Fist bump! Great job, man.
🤝
Let’s shake hands. It’s a deal.
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Vanessa’s Challenge Question
Use the space below to write a few sentences answering this question.
Using some of the phrases and vocabulary you learned in this lesson, write a
sentence below about how your week is going.
Sample: My boss put me in charge of this huge project. I think I bit off more than I can
chew with this one. I think I’m gonna call it a day and try to start fresh on it tomorrow.
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