10 Ways to Ask How Someone Is

1. How are you?

2. How’s it going?
3. How ya doin’?
4. How are things?
5. How’s life?
6. How have you been?
7. How’s your family?
8. What’s up?
9. What’s new?
10. What have you been up to lately?

10 Ways to Say How You Are

1. I’m fine, thanks. How about you?
2. Pretty good.
3. Not bad.
4. Great!
5. Couldn’t be better!
6. Can’t complain.
7. I’ve been busy.
8. Same as always.
9. Not so great.
10. Could be better.
Note: The way to respond to “What’s up?” and “What’s new?” is typically “Not much.”

10 Ways to Say Thank You

1. Thanks.
2. Thanks a lot.
3. Thank you so much.
4. Thanks a million!
5. Thanks for your help. / Thanks for helping me.
6. I really appreciate it.
7. I’m really grateful.
8. That’s so kind of you.
9. I can’t thank you enough. (for extremely important things)
I owe you one. (this means you want/need to do a favor for the other person future)
10 Ways to Respond to “Thank You”
1. You’re welcome.
2. No problem.
3. No worries.
4. Don’t mention it.
5. My pleasure.
6. Anytime.
7. It was the least I could do.
8. Glad to help.
9. Sure!
10. Thank you.
(use this when you ALSO have something to thank the other person for)

5 Phrases for Apologizing

1. I’m sorry that… [ex. I was so rude yesterday]
It’s my fault. (= I am taking responsibility for the problem)
Oops, sorry. (for very small problems)
2. I should have… [ex. called you and told you I’d be late]
3. (formal) I apologize for… [ex. the delay]

5 Ways to Respond to an Apology

1. That’s OK.
2. It happens.
3. No problem.
4. Don’t worry about it.
I forgive you. (for serious problems)

5 Ways to End a Conversation Politely

1. It was nice chatting with you.
2. Well, it’s getting late.
3. Anyway, I should get going.
4. (formal) Sorry, but I’m afraid I need to… 5. I’m sorry to cut you off, but I
actually gotta run.
(cut you off = interrupt you)
10 Phrases for Asking for Information
1. Can you tell me...?
2. Could you tell me...?
3. I'd like to know...
4. Do you know...
5. Do you have any idea...?
6. Could anyone tell me...?
(use this phrase when asking a group of people)
7. Would you happen to know...?
8. I don't suppose you (would) know...?
9. I was wondering…
I’m calling to find out… (use this phrase on the telephone)
Use #4, #5, #7, and #8 when you’re not sure if the other person has the information.

5 Ways to Say “I don’t know”

1. I have no idea/clue.
2. I can’t help you there.
3. (informal) Beats me.
4. I’m not really sure.
5. I’ve been wondering that, too.

10 Phrases for Asking for Someone’s

Opinion & Giving Your Opinion
1. What do you think about...?
2. How do you feel about…?
3. What's your opinion of...?
4. What are your views on...?
5. In my opinion…
6. I'd say...
7. Personally, I think/believe...
8. If you ask me...
9. The way I see it...
10. From my point of view…
5 Phrases for Not Having an Opinion
1. I’ve never given it much thought.
2. I don’t have strong feelings either way.
3. It doesn’t make any difference to me.
4. I have no opinion on the matter.
5. (very informal) Whatever.

10 Phrases for Agreeing

1. Exactly.
2. Absolutely.
3. That’s so true.
4. That’s for sure.
5. I agree 100%
6. I couldn’t agree with you more.
7. That’s exactly what I think. / That’s exactly how I feel.
8. (informal) Tell me about it! / You’re telling me!
9. (informal) I’ll say!
I suppose so. (use this phrase for weak agreement – 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 Disagreeing

1. I don’t think so.
2. I beg to differ.
3. I’m afraid I don’t agree.
4. I’m not so sure about that.
5. That’s not how I see it.
6. Not necessarily.
7. Yes, but… [say your opinion]
8. On the contrary.
9. (very informal) No way!
10. (very strong) I totally disagree.
5 Phrases for Responding to Good News
1. Congratulations!
2. That’s great!
3. How wonderful!
4. Awesome!
5. I’m so happy for you!

5 Ways to Check if Understands You

1. Do you understand what I’m saying?
2. Does that make sense?
3. Do you know what I mean?
4. Are you with me so far?
(often used in the middle of a long explanation or instructions)
Is that clear? (often used after giving orders, or expressing negative attitude)

5 Phrases for Complaining

1. I’m not happy about this.
2. I’m sorry, but this is unacceptable.
3. I’m not very satisfied with... [ex. this product / this situation] 4. (informal) I
can’t stand it when… [ex. the internet is slow]
5. (informal) This sucks.

Phrases for Saying Sthing is Easy-Difficult

1. It’s a piece of cake.
2. It’s a cinch.
3. It’s a breeze.
4. Anyone can do it.
5. There’s nothing to it.
6. It’s hard.
7. It’s a bit tricky.
8. It’s really tough.
9. It’s not a walk in the park.
10. It’s very demanding.
10 Expressions about Age
1. She’s in her early twenties. (=20-23 years old)
2. He’s in his late thirties. (=37-39 years old)
3. She just turned six.
4. Act your age! (use this when an adult is being immature, acting like a child)
5. I’m not as young as I used to be.
6. I’m not over the hill yet! (over the hill = an informal expression to say “old”)
7. He’s no spring chicken. (= he’s not young)
8. She’s wise beyond her years. (she is young, but she has the wisdom of an older person)
9. I’m having a senior moment. (= I’m being forgetful)
10. He lived to a ripe old age. (= a very old age)

10 Phrases for Talking about Food

1. I’m starving! (= I’m very hungry)
2. Let’s grab a bite to eat.
3. How about eating out tonight? (eat out = eat at a restaurant)
4. I brought some snacks.
5. This soup is delicious!
6. Could I have another helping of… [potatoes]? (another helping = another portion)
7. I’ll have… (use this phrase for ordering in a restaurant)
8. Could we get the check, please?
9. I’m full. (= I’m satisfied)
10. I’m stuffed. (= I ate a LOT, maybe too much!)

10 Ways to Talk About Price

1. It cost a fortune.
2. It cost an arm and a leg.
That’s a rip-off. (= overpriced; far more expensive than it should be)
I can’t afford it. (= I don’t have enough money to buy it)
3. That’s a bit pricey.
That’s quite reasonable. (= it’s a good price)
It’s 20% off. (= there’s a 20% discount)
That’s a good deal. (= a good value for the amount of money)
4. It was a real bargain.
It was dirt cheap. (= extremely inexpensive)
5 Phrases for Hot Weather
1. It’s nice and warm today.
2. It’s absolutely boiling! (boiling = extremely hot)
3. We’re having a real heat wave. (heat wave = many consecutive days of hot weather)
4. The sun’s really strong today.
5. It’s hot and humid.

5 Phrases for Cold Weather

1. It’s a little chilly.
2. It’s freezing. (= extremely cold)
3. The temperature’s dropping.
4. Make sure to bundle up. (bundle up = put on warm clothes against cold)
5. We’re expecting some winter weather. (winter weather = snow, hail, sleet, ice, etc.)

5 Phrases for Talking about Rain

It’s drizzling. (= raining lightly)
1. It’s pouring. (= raining heavily)
2. It’s raining cats and dogs. (= raining heavily)
3. I got caught in a downpour.
4. I think the rain’s letting up. (letting up = getting lighter and stopping)

10 Ways to Say You’re Tired

1. I’m exhausted.
2. I’m dead tired.
3. I’m pooped.
4. I’m spent.
5. I’m beat.
6. I’m running on fumes. / I’m running on empty.
7. I can hardly keep my eyes open.
8. I’m off to bed.
I’m gonna hit the sack. (hit the sack = go to bed)
9. It’s bedtime for me.
5 Phrases for Promises & Resolutions
1. I really should…
2. I promise that I’ll…
3. I swear I’ll / I won’t…
(a very strong promise)
4. No matter what happens, I’m going to…
5. Come hell or high water, I’ll…
#4 and #5 express your determination to do something, even if obstacles appear.

10 Excuses for Being Late

1. Sorry I’m late.
I overslept. (= I slept longer than I should have)
2. My alarm didn’t go off.
I had to wait ages for a bus. (ages = a very long time)
3. The bus was late.
4. The traffic was terrible.
5. I couldn’t find a parking spot.
6. I got lost coming here.
I was tied up in a meeting. (tied up = occupied, impossible to escape)
I just lost track of time. (= I didn’t notice what time it was)

5 Ways to Say Someone is Correct

1. That’s right.
2. That’s spot on.
3. You’ve hit the nail on the head. / You’ve nailed it.
4. I suppose so. (use this when you agree, but you are not completely convinced)
I’m afraid you’re right. (use this in response to bad news, to say the bad news )

5 Ways to Say Someone is Wrong

1. I’m afraid that’s not quite right.
2. I’m afraid you’re mistaken.
3. No, you’ve got it wrong.
4. No, that’s all wrong.
5. (informal – rude) Baloney. / Bullshit.
5 Ways to Say Someone is Smart
1. He’s really sharp.
2. She’s brilliant.
3. He’s very bright.
4. She’s a genius.
5. He’s a smart cookie.

5 Ways to Say Someone is Stupid

1. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.
2. She’s a few cards short of a deck.
3. He’s a bit slow.
4. She’s a complete idiot.
5. He’s really dumb.

~ Advanced Phrases ~

10 Ways to Avoid Answering a Question

1. No comment.
2. I’m not at liberty to say. (= I don’t have permission to give the information)
Wait and see. (= you will discover the answer later)
Let me get back to you. (= I will give you the answer later)
3. I’m sorry, that’s confidential.
4. I’m sorry, that’s personal.
5. I’d rather not talk about it.
6. It’s none of your business.
7. Mind your own business.
8. Why do you want to know?
#8 and #9 are rather rude – telling the other person to stop inquiring about your life
10 Ways to Say Someone’s Talented
1. She was born to… [dance].
2. He’s a natural.
3. She could do it in her sleep.
4. He knows it inside out.
5. She knows [New York] like the back of her hand.
6. She’s a walking encyclopedia of… [philosophy].
7. He’s in a class of his own.
8. He’s the best in the business.
9. She’s very gifted.
10. He’s a [chemistry] whiz.

10 Phrases for Telling Someone to Wait

1. Could you give me a minute?
2. (informal) Hang on a sec / Just a sec.
3. Hold on...
4. Let me see/think… 5. I'll be right with you.
6. Bear with me.
7. That’ll have to wait.
8. Be patient.
9. Not so fast!
10. Hold your horses!
#9 and #10 are used for cautioning someone to wait and not make a bad decision or
take reckless action.

10 Phrases for Estimating & Guessing

1. If I had to take a guess, I’d say… [she’s about 35 years old].
2. It’s difficult to say, but I think… [our customers are more satisfied].
3. Off the top of my head, I’d say… [the company has 500 employees].
4. It’s about… [10 miles away].
5. It’s around… [three hours long].
6. I wouldn’t be surprised if… [Peter asks Jill to marry him].
7. There’s a good chance… [it’ll rain tomorrow].
8. I have a feeling/hunch… [the boss won’t be happy about this].
9. I bet… [he’ll be late].
Your guess is as good as mine. (= I don’t know)
10 Phrases for Decisions
1. I’m debating between… [option A and option B]
2. I can’t make up my mind.
I’m on the fence. (= I’m in the middle, I don’t know what to decide)
3. I’ll take that into consideration.
4. On the other hand…
I’m having second thoughts. (= I’m reconsidering my decision)
5. I changed my mind.
6. He convinced/persuaded me to…
7. Looking back, I know it was the right decision.
It’s up to you. (= You can decide)

10 Phrases for Good Luck & Bad Luck

1. Good luck!
Better luck next time. (say this after someone fails, and you hope they do better )
Just my luck! (this is a sarcastic phrase meaning that something UNLUCKY happened)
2. Lucky you!
That was a stroke of luck. (= a sudden event of good luck)
3. Some people have all the luck. (say this when someone else is constantly lucky,
and you feel like you’re not lucky)
As luck would have it… (= by chance)
He’s down on his luck. (= he’s having a long period of bad luck or difficulty)
4. No such luck. (= something good that could have happened, didn’t happen)
5. What rotten luck!

10 Phrases for Worries & Relief

1. I’m scared that…
I can’t help thinking that… (use this for thoughts that you try to avoid, but they keep
coming into your mind)
It’s been keeping me up at night. (when you’re so worried that you can’t sleep)
2. What if… ? // Whew!
3. Thank goodness!
4. What a relief!
5. You had me worried for a moment.
6. You have no idea what a relief it is.
7. That’s a huge load off my mind.
10 Phrases for Talking about the Future
1. It’ll happen any day now.
2. It’s right around the corner.
3. …in the near future.
4. It will/won’t happen in our lifetime.
(= in the next 40-50 years)
5. It’s a sign/taste of things to come.
(= it indicates how things will be in the future)
6. I’m counting down the days until…
(= I’m excited about the future event, I can’t wait for it to happen)
7. Sooner or later… / It’s bound to happen eventually.
(= it will definitely happen sometime in the future)
8. I’ll get around to it.
(= I’ll do it sometime in the future, but I don’t know exactly when)
9. I’ll do it right away. / I’ll get right on it.
(= I’ll do it immediately)
10. Time will tell.
(in the future, we will know if something is true/false or good/bad)
#1, #2, and #3 are used to say something will happen soon.

10 Phrases for Compliments

#1-3 are used for complimenting a person’s appearance
#4-6 for complimenting a person’s cooking
#7-8 for complimenting a person’s home #9-
10 for complimenting a person’s children.
1. You look nice. / You look amazing!
2. What a beautiful [necklace/dress/etc.]! 3. I like your
[shirt/shoes/haircut/etc.]
4. The lasagna is delicious.
5. You’re a fantastic cook.
6. My compliments to the chef!
7. What a nice apartment!
8. You have a beautiful home.
9. He’s/She’s so cute!
10. Your kids are a lot of fun.
15 Phrases for Certainty & Probability
1. I’m absolutely sure.
2. I’m positive that…
3. I have no doubt that…
4. I’m a hundred percent certain.
5. I’m convinced that…
6. Chances are that…
(= this will probably happen) 7.
Odds are that…
(= this will probably happen)
8. I seriously doubt it.
9. I don’t think so.
10. Probably not.
11. It’s not very likely.
12. There’s not much chance of that.
13. I’d be very surprised if that happened.
14. I wouldn’t bet on it.
(= there’s a small chance it could happen… but it probably won’t happen)
15. That’ll never happen.

10 Ways to Say Something is

Interesting/Boring
1. It’s fascinating.
2. It’s intriguing.
3. I couldn’t tear myself away.
4. I couldn’t put it down.
(this phrase is used for en extremely interesting book)
5. I was so into it, I lost track of time.
6. It does nothing for me.
7. I was bored to tears.
8. I was bored to death.
9. I was dying of boredom.
10. It’s about as exciting as watching paint dry.
(= it’s very boring)
10 Phrases for Cheering Someone Up
1. What’s the matter?
2. What’s wrong?
3. Are you all right?
4. You look a bit down.
(= a little sad)
5. Is there anything I can do to help?
6. Cheer up! / Chin up!
7. It’s not so bad.
8. Everything will be OK.
9. Look on the bright side.
(= consider the positive aspects)
10. It’s not the end of the world.
(this phrase is used when someone is upset about something small and trivial)

7 Phrases for Disappointment

1. What a pity!
2. What a shame.
3. How disappointing.
4. That’s too bad.
5. Bummer.
6. It was a real letdown.
7. It didn’t live up to my expectations.

10 Ways to Say You Don’t Believe

Someone
1. Yeah, right.
2. You're kidding.
3. You're pulling my leg.
4. That's a bit of an exaggeration.
5. He’s stretching the truth.
6. He’s not telling the whole truth.
7. She’s being economical with the truth.
(= she’s lying or not telling the entire truth)
8. His story is fishy.
 9. That's an outright lie.
10. That's a pack of lies.

10 Expressions for Bad People

1. He’s a creep.
(= unpleasant, suspicious, makes you afraid/uneasy)
2. He’s a pervert.
(= someone with disgusting sexual tendencies)
3. He’s a sicko.
4. He’s a scumbag. 5. He’s an asshole.
6. He’s a jerk.
7. He’s a bastard.
8. She’s a bitch.
(= she’s irritating and unpleasant)
9. She’s a psycho.
(= crazy, irrational)
10. She’s a slut.
(= she has sex with a lot of people)

10 Words for Describing Speaking

1. He yelled.
2. She screamed.
3. I whispered.
(= spoke in an extremely quiet voice)
4. We chatted.
(= had an informal conversation)
5. He mumbled.
(= spoke in a low voice, not clearly, without opening his mouth much)
6. My kids whined.
(= complained)
7. He rambled. / He went on and on.
(= talked too much without stopping)
8. She stammered.
9. I snapped at my husband.
(= said a quick and angry remark)
10. He muttered.
(= spoke in a low voice, usually making complaints or negative comments)
10 Phrases for Facial Expressions
1. She was beaming.
(= she had a big, radiant smile) 2. The
kids were smiling from ear to ear.
3. He looked puzzled.
(= confused) 4.
She grinned.
(= had a small smile)
5. He winced when the doctor gave him an injection.
(= had a quick expression of pain)
6. She gave me a dirty look.
(= looked at me angrily)
7. She blushed.
(= her face turned red because she was embarrassed)
8. His eyes were glazed over.
(= he appeared 9.
Why the long face?
(an informal expression to ask why someone looks sad or upset)
10. Her expression was unreadable.
(= you can’t know what she is feeling)

10 Phrases to Describe Offending or

Upsetting People
1. They got off on the wrong foot.
(= when they first met, they didn’t get along)
2. He got on the teacher’s bad side.
3. She took offense at his comment.
4. He has a chip on his shoulder.
(= he is easily offended) 5.
She got bent out of shape.
6. He left in a huff.
7. She got her panties in a wad.
8. He has a short fuse.
(= he gets angry easily) 9.
She dissed my mother.
(= she insulted/disrespected my mother)
 10. He got his nose out of joint.
#5, #7, #10 all mean the person got irritated/annoyed

10 Phrases for Bad Travel Experiences

1. My flight was overbooked.
(overbooked = there were too many passengers and not enough seats)
2. My flight was delayed/canceled.
3. My luggage was lost.
4. I was jet-lagged.
(= I felt tired because of the time zone difference between my origin and destination)
5. My hotel was in a seedy area.
(seedy = possibly unsafe)
6. I was mugged.
(= I was robbed on the street)
7. The weather was miserable.
8. I got the runs.
(= diarrhea)
9. The place was a tourist trap.
(= made only for tourists; not authentic)
10. I couldn’t wait to get back home.

10 Phrases for Drinking (Alcohol)

1. It’s on me.
(= I’ll buy you a drink) 2.
I’d like to make a toast.
(= I’d like to honor a person/event/idea)
3. Here’s to… (your health / the New Year / our success)!
4. Another round of drinks, please.
5. Put it on my tab.
(tab = bill to pay later, before you leave)
6. He’s a bit tipsy.
(= a little bit drunk)
7. He’s completely sloshed/wasted/plastered.
(= completely drunk)
8. She’s trying to drown her sorrows.
(= drinking alcohol for relief from pain/sadness)
9. I’m the designated driver.
(= I’m not drinking alcohol because I will drive other people home later)
 10. I had a hangover. / I was hung over.
(= the bad feeling you have the morning after drinking too much)

15 Comparative Idioms
1. It’s as light as a feather.
2. It’s as dry as a bone.
3. It’s as flat as a pancake.
4. He’s as mad as a hornet.
5. It’s as old as the hills.
6. It’s as quick as lightning.
7. She’s as sick as a dog.
8. He’s as strong as an ox.
9. They’re as different as night and day.
10. She’s as stubborn as a mule.
11. He’s as proud as a peacock.
12. She’s as white as a sheet.
(usually used when someone is very afraid or very sick)
13. It’s as solid as a rock.
14. It’s as good as new.
(used after something broken has been repaired)
15. It’s as clear as mud.
(= it’s not clear at all)

Advanced English Gramma

r:
http://www.espressoenglish.net
/advanced-english-grammar-
course

Thanks for reading!

For more English tips and English courses,
visit www.EspressoEnglish.net