+100 Examples of Useful Phrases in English

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The English phrases are short, everyday expressions that are used to express a wide range of emotions, reactions, questions, and exclamations in different contexts. For example: I don't mind. / I do not care.

The sentences in English are short and are mostly single-membered sentences, that is, they cannot be divided into subject and predicate. For example: How do you eat?/ How can it be?

Phrases to introduce yourself

1. Pleased to meet you.
   delighted
2. Hello, I'm...
   Hi I am…
3. Haven't we met before?
   Haven't we met before?
4. Excuse me, don't I know you from somewhere?
   Excuse me, don't I know you from somewhere?
5. Where are you from?
   Where are you from?
6. What do you do?
   What do you do for a living?

Phrases to greet

1. Hello, hello!
   Hello!
2. How are you? / How are you doing? / How's it going?
   How are you?
3. How are things at work?
   How are things at work?
4. How's everything?
   How is everything?
5. Hey, what's up?
   Hey, how's it going?

Phrases for friends who meet after a while

1. Long time no see!
   We haven't seen each other in a long time!
2. I haven't seen you for ages!
   I haven't seen you for decades!
3. What's new?
   What's new?
4. Great to see you!
   Good to see you!

Phrases to break the ice

1. Nice day, isn't it?
   Nice day, right?
2. The bus is taking long, isn't it?
   The bus is taking a long time, isn't it?
3. Are you traveling on business?
   Are you traveling for business?

Phrases to give good news

1. I've passed the test.
   I passed the exam.
2. I've found a job.
   Got a job.
3. I've been promoted.
   I got promoted.

Phrases to congratulate someone

1. Good job!
   Good job!
2. Well done!
   Well done!
3. Congratulations!
   Congratulations!
4. Good for you!
   Good for you!

Phrases to give bad news

1. I'm afraid your flight has been cancelled.
   I'm afraid your flight has been cancelled.
2. Unfortunately the hotel is fully booked.
   Unfortunately the hotel is full.
3. I'm sorry, but it doesn't work.
   I'm sorry but it doesn't work.
4. I've lost my tennis tournament.
   I lost my tennis tournament.

Phrases to respond to bad news

1. I'm so sorry.
   I'm so sorry.
2. Really? Too bad!
   Oh really? How awful!
3. Sorry about that.
   I'm sorry about that.
4. What a shame!
   What a pity!

Phrases to promise something

1. I'll do my best.
   I'll do my best.
2. Will do.
   I will do that.
3. You have my word on it.
   You have my word.

Phrases to express surprise

1. How do you eat?
   How can it be?
2. What do you mean with that?
   What do you mean by that?
3. Que?
   That?
4. I can't believe it!
   I can't believe it!

Phrases to apologize

1. I'm really sorry.
   I'm really sorry.
2. Sorry!
   Sorry!
3. Sorry, I can't make it then.
   Sorry, I can't that day.

Phrases to accept apologies

1. No problem.
   No problem.
2. That's ok.
   Alright.
3. Don't worry.
   Don't worry.
4. Never mind.
   It doesn't matter, forget it.
5. It doesn't matter.
   It doesn't matter.
6. No worries.
   No problem.

Phrases to express distress

1. I'm running late.
   I'm late.
2. I must be going.
   I have to go.
3. Got to run.
   I have to go now.
4. I'd better get going.
   I better go.
5. I'm in a rush.
   I'm in a hurry.

Phrases to express gratitude

1. Thanks a lot!
   Thank you so much!
2. Thank you very much!
   Thank you so much!
3. Really appreciate it.
   I appreciate it a lot.
4. That's kind of you!
   That's nice of you!

Phrases to respond to a thank you

1. My pleasure.
   With all pleasure.
2. You're welcome.
   You are welcome.
3. Don't mention it.
   You are welcome.

Phrases to ask a favor

1. Can I borrow your pen, please?
   Can I borrow your pen?
2. Could you help me with this, please?
   Could you help me with this, please?
3. Could you give me a hand?
   Could you give me a hand?
4. Would you mind opening the window?
   Would you mind opening the window?

Phrases to say goodbye

1. Bye, see you later.
   Bye, see you later.
2. See you tomorrow.
   See you tomorrow.
3. See you around.
   See you later.

Phrases to express joy

1. I'm on cloud nine!
   I'm in seventh heaven! I'm in heaven!
2. I'm over the moon!
   I'm crazy happy!
3. I'm so excited!
   I am so excited!
4. I'm thrilled!
   I am very happy! I am delighted!

Phrases for work

1. I'll check it out.
   I'm going to check it out.
2. Let me know if you have any problem.
   Let me know if you have any problems.
3. Could you send me the information by email?
   Could you send me the information by e-mail?
4. Let's get down to business.
   Let's get to work.

Phrases to express agreement

1. I agree completely.
   I completely agree.
2. I think you're right.
   I think you're right.
3. Yes, I'd go along with that.
   Yes, I share your opinion.
4. Yes, you have a point there.
   Good point.
5. I couldn't agree more.
   I could not agree more.
6. I too.
   Me too.
7. me neither.
   Me neither.

Phrases to express disagreement

1. Maybe, but she has a point there.
   It may be, but she is right in what she says.
2. I agree up to a point.
   I agree to some extent.
3. I'm afraid I can't agree with that idea.
   I'm afraid I can't agree with that idea.
4. I'm sorry, but that's not how I see it.
   Sorry, but that's not how I see it.

Phrases to make suggestions

1. Why don't we go to the movies?
   Why don't we go to the cinema?
2. I think we should decide the matter now.
   I think we should decide the issue now.
3. It would be a good idea to ask the boss.
   It would be a good idea to ask the boss.
4. Shall I contact the client?
   Customer contact?
5. Should we go over what we've agreed?
   Shall we go over what we agreed to?

Phrases to give and ask for advice

1. I think you should consult a lawyer.
   I think you should consult with a lawyer.
2. I recommend hiring an expert.
   I recommend hiring an expert.
3. My advice would be to select the first candidate.
   My advice would be to select the first candidate.
4. If I were you, I'd choose the second option.
   If I were you, I would choose the second option.
5. You could sell this abroad.
   You could sell this abroad.
6. I'd like to hear your ideas on this.
   I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.
7. Do you have any suggestions?
   Do you have any suggestion?
8. Do you think we should hire a consultant?
   Do you think we should hire a consultant?

Phrases in a restaurant

1. I'll have the sirloin steak, please.
   I'll order the tenderloin, please.
2. I'd like the chocolate cake, please.
   I'd like the chocolate cake, please.
3. Excuse me, waiter…
   Excuse me, boy!
4. Can I have the menu, please?
   Could you bring me the letter, please?
5. The check, please.
   The check, please.

Phrases in a hotel

1. Good morning, I have a reservation.
   Good morning, I have a reservation.
2. I'd like a single room.
   I would like a simple room.
3. What time is breakfast served?
   What time is breakfast served?
4. What time is check-out?
   What time is check-out?
5. Can I have a wake-up call at 7.30 a.m.?
   Can you call me to wake me up at 7.30am?

Phrases to ask for directions on the street

1. Excuse me, could you tell me where the theater is?
   Excuse me, could you tell me where the theater is?
2. How can I get to the university?
   How do I get to the university?
3. Where is the nearest drug store?
   Where is the nearest pharmacy?
4. Is the park far?
   Is the park far?

Phrases to give directions on the street

1. Take the first road on the left.
   Take the first street on the left.
2. Go along for three blocks.
   Go straight for three streets.
3. Stay on Queen Street for 2 blocks.
   Stay on Queen for two blocks.
4. Turn right at the second intersection.
   Turn right at the second intersection.
5. It's on Washington Avenue.
   It's on Washington Avenue.

Phrases to go shopping

1. I'd like two tickets for the show, please.
   I'd like two tickets to the show, please.
2. Can I have this shirt in medium size?
   Can you give me this shirt in size medium?
3. I'd like to try these shoes on, please.
   I'd like to try on these shoes, please.
4. Do you have this one in blue?
   Do you have this one in blue?
5. Can I pay by credit card?
   I can pay with credit card?
6. Anything else?
   Anything else?

Phrases to ask the other to repeat

1. Could you repeat, please?
   Could you repeat please?
2. Could you say that again?
   Could you repeat please?
3. What's that again?
   Could you repeat that?
4. Sorry, I don't understand.
   Sorry I do not understand.
5. Sorry, I didn't get that.
   Sorry, I do not understand.

Phrases to ask for clarification

1. What does “hybrid” mean?
   What does "hybrid" mean?
2. How do you spell “spiritual”?
   How do you spell “spiritual”?
3. What do you mean by “turning point”?
   What do you mean by "defining moment"?

Phrases to ask the other to wait

1. Hold on.
   Wait.
2. Bear with me.
   I ask you to wait for me.
3. I'll be with you in a minute.
   I'll be with you in a minute.
4. Hang on!
   Wait!

Phrases to offer something

1. Would you like some coffee?
   Would you like coffee?
2. May I take your message?
   May I take your message?
3. Can I help you?
   I can help?

Phrases for invitations

1. Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?
   Would you like to come to dinner tonight?
2. We're going to the movies on Friday. Do you want to eat?
   We are going to the cinema this Friday. Do you want to come?
3. Are you free next weekend? I'm giving a party on Saturday.
   Are you free next weekend? I'm going to have a party on Saturday.
4. Why don't you join us for lunch tomorrow?
   Why don't you join us for lunch tomorrow?

Phrases to accept an invitation

1. That sounds like a good idea!
   Good idea!
2. Sounds great!
   Sounds great!
3. Count me in.
   Count on me.
4. I'd love to, thanks!
   I'd love to, thanks!

Phrases to decline an invitation

1. Sorry, I can't make it on Friday.
   Sorry, I can't on Friday.
2. What a shame! I already have plans for Saturday.
   What a pity! I already have plans for Saturday.
3. Sorry, I have to work on the weekend.
   Excuse me, I have to work on the weekend.
4. I'd love to, but…
   I would love to but…

Phrases to express good wishes

1. Have a nice day!
   Have a nice day!
2. Enjoy your stay.
   May you enjoy your stay.
3. Welcome home!
   Welcome home!

Phrases to express ignorance about something

1. I don't know.
   I don't know.
2. No clue.
   No idea.
3. I don't know.
   No idea.

More examples of everyday phrases in English

1. Great to see you! Come on in!
   Good to see you! Happens!
2. Sorry I'm late. I got stuck in traffic.
   Sorry I'm late. I got stranded in traffic.
3. You need a break.
   You need a break.
4. Take care!
   Take care of yourself!
5. Calm down and sit down.
   Calm down and sit down.
6. You must be kidding!
   You must be kidding!
7. Are you kidding me?
   Are you kidding?
8. None of your business.
   It's none of your business.
9. What happened?
   What happened?
10. It's time to go, bye!
    Time to go, bye!
11. Time's up.
    Time is over.
12. Take it easy.
    Take it easy.
13. It's up to you.
    It depends on you.
14. Let's go.
    Let's go.
15. Keep in touch!
    Stay in contact!
16. How come you're not coming to my party tonight?
    How come you're not coming to my party tonight?
17. I was just passing through and thought I'd drop by.
    I was just passing by and it occurred to me to visit you.
18. I'm just not up for going out tonight.
    I don't feel like going out tonight.
19. I can't afford to buy a new car.
    I don't have the money to buy a new car.
20. Don't worry about that; it's not a big deal.
    Don't worry about that; it's not that bad.
21. You made my day!
    You have made my day.
22. What's the weather like today?
    How is the weather today?
23. Could you fill it up, please?
    Can you fill the tank please?
24. Can I give you a ride?
    I can give you a ride?
25. Just drop me off at the library, please.
    Drop me in the library, please.
26. here you go; keep the change.
    Take; Keep the change.
27. Sorry, you're breaking up.
    Sorry, everything is cut off.
28. Something's come up and I can't make it to the meeting.
    Something came up and I can't go to the meeting.
29. It's a deal.
    It's a deal.
30. I'll read that back to you.
    I read it to you again to check.

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