100 phrases in English

Are you looking to improve your English conversation skills? Here are over 100 phrases in English that you can use in your everyday conversations. From greetings and expressing gratitude to asking for information and ending a conversation, these phrases will help you communicate confidently in English.

 

Previous Conversation Tip Lesson

How to Keep a Conversation Going in English

 

100 Basic English Phrases for Beginners

Quick Review of phrases in this lesson:

 

10 Ways To Say Hello And Goodbye

Go to Top

  1. Hello
  2. Hi
  3. (informal) Hey­­
  4. Hi there
  5. (informal) Howdy
  6. Bye
  7. Bye-bye
  8. (informal) See ya later
  9. Take care
  10. Have a good one

 

10 Informal Ways To Say Yes And No

Go to Top

  1. Yeah
  2. Yup
  3. Mm-hmm!
  4. Uh-huh!
  5. Sure!
  6. Nope
  7. Nah
  8. Mm-mm
  9. Uh-uh
  10. No way!

 

10 English Phrases To Ask How Someone Is

Go to Top

  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

Go to Top

  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

Go to Top

  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)
  10. I owe you one. (this means you want/need to do a favor for the other person in the future)

 

10 Ways To Respond To Thank You

Go to Top

  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

Go to Top

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

 

5 Ways To Respond To An Apology

Go to Top

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

 

10 English Phrases For Introductions

Go to Top

  1. I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m… [your name]
  2. I don’t think we’ve met before. My name is… [your name]
  3. This is…
  4. I’d like you to meet…
  5. Have you met… ?
  6. I’d like to introduce you to…
  7. Nice to meet you.
  8. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
  9. Likewise
  10. And you.

 

#1 and #2 are used to introduce yourself; #3-#6 are used to introduce someone else.

#9 and #10 can be used as a response to #7 and #8.

 

6 Ways To Show Interest

Go to Top

  1. Really?
  2. That’s interesting.
  3. Uh-huh.
  4. Right.
  5. Gotcha.
  6. Sure.

 

You can use these phrases to show the other person that you are listening.

 

5 English Phrases To End A Conversation Politely

Go to Top

  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 English Phrases For Telephone Calls

Go to Top

  1. Hi, this is Jane.
  2. (formal) May I speak with John Smith?
  3. (informal) Is John there?
  4. I’m calling about…
  5. I’m returning your call.
  6. (formal) One moment, please.
  7. (informal) Hang on a sec.
  8. He’s not here. Would you like to leave a message?
  9. Could you ask him to call me back?
  10. Thanks for calling.

 

10 English Phrases To Ask For Information

Go to Top

  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…
  10. 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

Go to Top

  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 English Phrases For Asking For Someone’s Opinion & Giving Your Opinion

Go to Top

  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 English Phrases For Not Having An Opinion

Go to Top

  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 English Phrases For Agreeing

Go to Top

  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!
  10. 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 English Phrases For Disagreeing

Go to Top

  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 English Phrases For Responding To Good News

Go to Top

  1. Congratulations!
  2. That’s great!
  3. How wonderful!
  4. Awesome!
  5. I’m so happy for you!

 

5 English Phrases For Responding To Bad News

Go to Top

  1. Oh no…
  2. That’s terrible.
  3. Poor you. (Use this to respond to bad situations that are not too serious)
  4. I’m so sorry to hear that.
  5. I’m sorry for your loss. (Use this only if someone has died)

 

10 English Phrases For Invitations

Go to Top

  1. Are you free… [Saturday night?]
  2. Are you doing anything… [Saturday night?]
  3. Let me check my calendar.
  4. (informal) Do you wanna… [see a movie?]
  5. (formal) Would you like to… [join me for dinner?]
  6. I’d love to!
  7. Sounds great!
  8. I’d love to, but I have another commitment.
  9. I don’t think I can.
  10. Maybe another time.

 

5 English Phrases To Make & Respond To An Offer

Go to Top

  1. (more formal) Would you like a drink?
  2. (informal) Do you want some water?
  3. Can I get you something to eat?
  4. That’d be great, thanks. (= yes)
  5. No, thanks. I’m OK. (= no)

 

6 English Phrases For Talking About Future Plans

Go to Top

  1. I’m going to…
  2. I’m planning to…
  3. I hope to…
  4. I’d like to…
  5. I might… / I may…
  6. I’m thinking about…

 

10 English Phrases To Talk About Likes & Dislikes

Go to Top

  1. I love… [football]
  2. I’m really into… [football]
  3. I live for… [football]
  4. [football] is my thing.
  5. I’m crazy about… [football]
  6. I’m not a huge fan of… [Rock music]
  7. [Rock music] isn’t my cup of tea.
  8. I don’t really care for… [Rock music]
  9. I’m not into… [Rock music]
  10. I can’t stand… [Rock music] (this phrase expresses strong dislike)

 

5 Ways To Make A Suggestion

Go to Top

  1. How about… [ex. trying something new]?
  2. Why don’t you… [ex. talk to your boss]?
  3. Maybe we should… [ex. do more research].
  4. I’d recommend… [ex. going to the doctor].
  5. Have you thought about… [ex. buying a new computer]?

 

10 English Phrases For Asking/Talking About Jobs

Go to Top

  1. Where do you work?
  2. What do you do? / What do you do for a living?
  3. I work at… [IBM].
  4. I’m a/an… [manager].
  5. I’m unemployed. / I’m between jobs at the moment.
  6. I’m looking for work.
  7. I’m a stay-at-home mom/dad.
  8. I run my own business.
  9. I’m a freelance… [writer/designer/etc.]
  10. I’m retired.

 

10 Phrases For Describing Relationships

Go to Top

  1. I’m single.
  2. I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
  3. We’re engaged. (= going to get married)
  4. We’re getting married in June.
  5. I’m married.
  6. I’ve been married for… [5 years].
  7. I’m divorced.
  8. I’m widowed. (= my husband/wife has died)
  9. I’m not looking for anything serious.
  10. I’m not quite over my ex. (= I still have feelings for my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-husband/wife)

 

Conclusion

Mastering these basic English phrases will enable you to engage in conversations, whether in person or over the phone. So, practice using these phrases and take your English language skills to the next level! Remember to consider the context and tone of the conversation when using these phrases, and practice them regularly to improve your fluency and communication skills.

 

Next Conversation Tip Lesson

How to Say I Am Busy in English

 

Related Conversation Lessons

None

 

Practice Conversation with HiCafe App

By using HiCafe App, you can join free discussion events and Practice English Conversation online or in-person and improve your verbal skills.

 

All Conversation Lessons

To see and read all of our conversation lessons, you can visit our Improve English Speaking Skills page.