40 useful expressions in English

1. Hi! I am [Name]. (And you?)

Here is an informal greeting you can use when you meet new friends. If
the person does not tell you their name, you can say your name first.
Then ask, “And you?” or “And what is your name?”
Hi! I am Rebecca. And you?

2. Nice to meet you.

After you learn each other’s names, it is polite to say this phrase.
A: Hi, Rebecca, I am Chad.
B: Nice to meet you, Chad.
A: Nice to meet you, too.

3. Where are you from?

Ask this question to find out which country someone is from. You
answer this question with “I am from _______.”
Can you answer this question in English? Say both the question and
answer aloud right now. (Four times, remember?)
A: Nice to meet you, Sergio. So, where are you from?
B: I am from Spain.

4. What do you do?

Most adults ask each other this question when they meet. It means
what do you do for a living (what is your job).
I think this question is boring, so I ask other questions. But many people
will probably ask you this, so it is important to know what it means.
A: What do you do, Cathleen?
B: I work at the university as a financial specialist.
5. What do you like to do (in your free time)?
Instead of asking for someone’s job title, I prefer to ask what they enjoy
doing. The responses (answers) are usually much more interesting!
A: So, Cathleen, what do you like to do in your free time?
B: I love to read and to garden. I picked two buckets of tomatoes last
week!

6. What is your phone number?

If you want to keep in contact with someone you just met, ask this
question to find out their phone number. You can replace “phone
number” with “email address” if you want to know their email address.
You might also hear people use the more casual, “Can I get your phone
number?”
It would be great to meet up again sometime. What is your phone
number?

7. Do you have Facebook?

Many people keep in touch (contact) through Facebook. Use this
question to find out if someone has a Facebook account. You might also
ask, “Are you on Facebook?”
Let’s keep in touch! Do you have Facebook?
Basic English Phrases for Anywhere

These eight phrases can be used in many different situations.

8. Thanks so much.
This is a simple sentence you can use to thank someone.
To add detail, say:
Thanks so much + for + [noun] / [-ing verb].
For example:
Thanks so much for the birthday money.
Thanks so much for driving me home.

9. I really appreciate…
You can also use this phrase to thank someone. For example, you might
say:
I really appreciate your help.
Or you can combine #1 and #2:
Thanks so much for cooking dinner. I really appreciate it.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate your cooking dinner.

10. Excuse me.

When you need to get through but there is someone blocking your way,
say “Excuse me.”
You can also say this phrase to politely get someone’s attention. For
example:
Excuse me, sir, you dropped your wallet.
Excuse me, do you know what time it is?

11. I am sorry.
Use this phrase to apologize, whether for something big or small. Use
“for” to give more detail. For example:
I am sorry for being so late.
I am sorry for the mess. I was not expecting anyone today.
You can use “really” to show you are very sorry for something:
I am really sorry I did not invite you to the party.
In fact, I am sorry has many different uses in English and they are not
always that obvious! Because of this, using native content when
learning English expressions is very important to ensure you are
learning them properly.
In the video below, you will explore the many different ways I am
sorry can be used in English in the correct context.
For even more learning content to help you learn English, be sure
to subscribe to the FluentU English channel.

12. What do you think?

When you want to hear someone’s opinion on a topic, use this
question.
I am not sure if we should paint the room yellow or blue. What do you
think?

13. How does that sound?

If you suggest an idea or plan, use this phrase to find out what others
think.
We could have dinner at 6, and then go to a movie. How does that
sound?
Let’s hire a band to play music, and Brent can photograph the
event. How does that sound?
14. That sounds great.
If you like an idea, you can respond to “How does that sound?” with
this phrase. “Great” can be replaced with any synonym (similar word),
such as “awesome,” “perfect,” “excellent” or “fantastic.”
A: My mom is baking cookies this afternoon. We could go to my house
and eat some. How does that sound?
B: That sounds fantastic!

15. (Oh,) never mind.

Let’s say someone does not understand an idea you are trying to
explain. If you have explained it over and over and want to stop, just
say “oh, never mind.” You can now talk about something else!
You can also use “never mind” to mean “it does not matter” or “just
forget it.” In these situations, say it with a smile and positive tone,
though. When you say this phrase slowly with a falling, low tone, it can
mean you are bothered or upset.
A: Are you going to the grocery store today?
B: No, I am not. But why—do you need something?
A: Oh, never mind. It is okay, I will go tomorrow.

Basic Phrases for Learning English

As an English learner, you will need to tell others that English is not
your first language. You will also need to ask native speakers to repeat
phrases and words or to speak slower. The following phrases will be
useful for this.
16. I am learning English.
This simple phrase tells people that English is not your native language.
If you are a total beginner, add “just started” after I: “I just started
learning English.”
My name is Sophie and I am learning English.

17. I do not understand.

Use this phrase when you do not understand what someone means.
Sorry, I do not understand. The U.S. Electoral College seems very
confusing!

18. Could you repeat that please?

If you would like someone to say a word, question or phrase again, use
this question. Since “to repeat” means “to say again,” you can also ask,
“Could you say that again, please?”
We can say “please” either at the end of the question or right after
“you,” like this:
Could you please repeat that?
Could you repeat that, please?

19. Could you please talk slower?

Native speakers can talk very fast. Fast English is hard to understand!
This is an easy way to ask someone to speak more slowly.
Note: This phrase is not grammatically correct. However, it is used
often in every day (casual) speech. The grammatically correct question
would be, “Could you please talk more slowly?”
That is because “slowly” is an adverb, so it describes verbs (like “talk”).
“Slower” is a comparative adjective, which means it should be used to
describe nouns (people, places or things), not verbs. (For example: My
car is slower than yours.)
A: You can give us a call any weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at
five five five, two five zero eight, extension three three—
B: I am sorry, could you please talk slower?
20. Thank you. That helps a lot.
After someone starts speaking more slowly for you, thank them with
this phrase.
You can use it in many other situations, too.
A: Ben, could you please make the font bigger? It is hard for me to read
the words.
B: Sure! I will change it from size 10 to 16. How is this?
A: Thank you. That helps a lot.

21. What does _____ mean?

When you hear or see a new word, use this phrase to ask what it
means.
A: What does “font” mean?
B: It is the style of letters, numbers and punctuation marks when you
type. A common font in the USA is Times New Roman.

22. How do you spell that?

English spelling can be tricky, so make sure to learn this question. You
could also ask someone, “Could you spell that for me?”
A: My name is Robbertah Handkerchief.
B: How do you spell that?

23. What do you mean?

When you understand the words one by one, but not what they mean
together, use this question. You can ask it whenever you are confused
about what someone is telling you.
A: The Smiths do have a really nice house, but the grass is always
greener on the other side.
B: What do you mean?
A: I mean that if we had the Smith’s house, we probably would not be
happier. We always think other people have better lives than us, but
other people have problems, too.
Basic English Phrases for Shopping

Everyone needs to go shopping, whether it is for food, clothing or

household items like furniture. These phrases will help you find what
you want to buy and how much it costs.

24. Can you help me?

If you need help while you are shopping, this is a simple way to ask.
Can you help me? I cannot find what I want.
Excuse me, can you help me?

25. I am looking for…

If you cannot find what you want in a store, you can ask a salesperson
to help you find it. Just add the name of what you want to buy after the
phrase “I am looking for…”
Excuse me, I am looking for a winter coat.
I am looking for snow boots. Can you help me?

26. Do you have this [object] in a different color?

If you see something you like, but you do not like the color, you can ask
if you can get it in a different color.
Another way to say this is “Does this come in a different color?”
You can also add the name of the object after “this.”
I do not like this shade of red. Do you have this in a different color?
Does this bowl come in a different color? This will not match my
kitchen.
27. I do not know my size.
Sizes for clothing and other things differs from country to country, so
you might have to look up the correct size for the country where you
are shopping.
If you cannot figure out your correct size, it is perfectly fine to ask for
help from the sales staff.
I do not know my size. Can you help me?
I want to buy a shirt, but I do not know my size.

28. I need this in a size ______

This is a simple way to ask for a piece of clothing or a household item in
the size you need—if you already happen to know the right size.
I need this in a size 10, please.
This is too large. I need this in a size 5.

29. Where can I find [item]?

Since every supermarket is set up (arranged) a little differently, we all
can have difficulty finding certain items.
You can ask someone at the store to help you find what you need with
this simple phrase: “Where can I find…?” Just add the name of what
you want after “find.”
The store clerk might answer you with a phrase like, “It is on aisle
eight,” or, “It is in the Produce section, near the lettuce.”
Customer: Where can I find black olives?
Sales clerk: They are on aisle ten, near the pickles. 
Customer: Where can I find a bag of almonds?
Sales clerk: They are in the baking section, on aisle seven.

30. How much does this/that cost?

If you are holding something you want to buy, or it is right near you,
you can say “How much does this cost?” to find out (learn) the price.
You can also put the name of the object you want to after “this.”
I need to buy a toaster. How much does this cost?
How much does this shirt cost?
If you can see what you want to buy, but it is not right near you, you
can point to it and say, “How much does that cost?” or “How much is
that [item]?”
 How much is that lamp over there? 

31. I do not need a bag.

Let’s say you have bought something small. You can easily carry it. You
might tell the sales clerk or cashier that you do not need a shopping
bag.
You might also say this if you have a shopping bag with you and do not
need to get one from the store.
No, thank you. I do not need a bag. I can just carry it.
I do not need a bag. I brought my own with me.

32. Can someone help me carry this out?

If you buy something really large and hard to carry, like a table or a
huge order of groceries, you are going to need help.
Most stores that sell large and heavy items offer assistance (help) from
a member of staff. The staff member can help you carry your purchase
(what you have bought) out of the store. They might even help you
place it in your vehicle.
This is too heavy for me. Can someone help me carry this out?
Can someone help me carry this out? I have eighteen bags of groceries
here!

 33. Can I have this delivered?

Sometimes, you need to buy something so large—and so heavy—that
there is no way you could bring it home from the store yourself.
That is when you will want to ask, “Can I have this delivered?”
This refrigerator is perfect! Can I have this delivered?
Can I have this delivered next Tuesday?
Basic English Phrases for Work

Finally, here are seven basic phrases you might use at a job.

34. How can I help you?

If you work in customer service, you will use this phrase a lot. It is also a
common phrase when answering the phone.
[On the phone]: Hello, this is Rebecca speaking. How can I help you?

35. I will be with you in a moment.

When someone wants to see you, you might not be ready to talk to
them. Use this phrase if you need a minute to finish something first. If a
client is waiting for help, you can also use this phrase to show that their
turn is next.
You can replace “moment” with “minute”: “I will be with you in (just) a
minute.”
Another common phrase for this situation is “I will be right with you.”
Good morning! I will be with you in a moment.
If you are finding these phrases useful, take a look at Creativa, where
you will find more useful English phrases for work.
Creativa is a new product from the FluentU team. With useful and
surprising tips, Creativa‘s high-quality videos help you learn skills to
communicate well in business English.
More than just teaching English words and phrases, Creativa shows you
how to use body language and the tone of your voice to better connect
with English speakers at work.
Here is a sample video from Creativa’s Mastering Business Video Calls
in English course, which has tips for expressing yourself effectively:

36. What time is our meeting?

You can use this question’s structure to ask the time of any event:
“What time is [event]?”
If you want to ask about a meeting on a certain day, add “on [day].” For
example, “What time is our meeting on Thursday?”
What time is our meeting on Wednesday?

37. Please call me (back) at…

When you want someone to call you or to call you back (to return your
call), use this phrase to give your phone number.
Hi, this is Cathleen from the financial office.
I am wondering if you found those missing receipts.
Please call me back at 555-5555. Thanks!

38. (Oh really?) Actually, I thought…

When you disagree with someone, “Actually, I thought…” will make you
sound kinder and more polite than saying “No” or “You are wrong.”
This phrase is useful when you have a different idea than someone else.
You can use “actually, I…” with many different verbs: “heard,”
“learned,” “am,” “can,” “cannot,” etc.
A: So Sam is coming in tonight at 8, right?
B: Actually, I thought he was not working at all this week.
A: Oh, ok. I will have to look at the schedule again.

39. When is the deadline?

When someone gives you a task or project to complete, you need to
know how long you have to finish it.
A deadline is a date or time when something must be completely done.
You can ask “When is the deadline?” to find out when you need to be
done with your task or project.
“When is it due?” is another way to ask for this information.
A: I need you to write a sales report. 
B: When is the deadline?
       A:  I need it by next Tuesday.
 
C: Please send the customer an estimate.
D: When is it due?
C: They want it tomorrow morning, before 9.

40. I am (just) about to [verb]…

When you are going to start something very soon, you are “just about
to” do something.
I am just about to send those faxes.
I am about to go and pick up some coffee. Do you want anything?