50 Common English Phrases
Mastering common phrases is one of the fastest ways to start speaking English confidently. These 50 essential phrases cover everyday situations you'll encounter in conversations, whether you're greeting someone, asking for help, expressing your feelings, or saying goodbye.
Each phrase below includes a clear explanation of when to use it and a real-world example. Practice these phrases regularly, and you'll find yourself speaking English more naturally in no time!
50 Essential English Phrases for Beginners
"Hello, how are you?"
#1A friendly greeting to ask about someone's well-being
Example: Hello, how are you? I haven't seen you in a while!
"Nice to meet you"
#2Used when meeting someone for the first time
Example: Hi, I'm Sarah. Nice to meet you!
"Thank you very much"
#3A polite way to express gratitude
Example: Thank you very much for helping me with my homework.
"You're welcome"
#4A polite response when someone thanks you
Example: You're welcome! I'm happy to help.
"Excuse me"
#5Used to get attention, apologize, or ask someone to move
Example: Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is?
"I'm sorry"
#6Used to apologize for something
Example: I'm sorry I'm late. The traffic was terrible.
"What's your name?"
#7A question to ask someone their name
Example: Hi, what's your name? I'm John.
"My name is..."
#8Used to introduce yourself
Example: My name is Maria, and I'm from Spain.
"Where are you from?"
#9A question asking about someone's origin or hometown
Example: Where are you from? I'm from Brazil.
"I don't understand"
#10Used when you don't comprehend something
Example: I don't understand this math problem. Can you help me?
"Could you repeat that?"
#11Asking someone to say something again
Example: Could you repeat that? I didn't catch what you said.
"How much does it cost?"
#12Asking about the price of something
Example: This shirt is nice. How much does it cost?
"Where is the bathroom?"
#13Asking for directions to the restroom
Example: Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
"I'm fine, thank you"
#14A polite response when someone asks how you are
Example: How are you? I'm fine, thank you. And you?
"Have a nice day"
#15A friendly farewell wish
Example: Thanks for shopping with us. Have a nice day!
"See you later"
#16A casual way to say goodbye
Example: I have to go now. See you later!
"What time is it?"
#17Asking for the current time
Example: What time is it? I need to catch my bus.
"I'm hungry"
#18Expressing that you want to eat
Example: I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat.
"I'm thirsty"
#19Expressing that you want to drink
Example: I'm thirsty. Do you have any water?
"Can I help you?"
#20Offering assistance to someone
Example: Can I help you find something in the store?
"I need help"
#21Asking for assistance
Example: I need help carrying these boxes.
"What do you do?"
#22Asking about someone's job or profession
Example: What do you do? I'm a teacher.
"How old are you?"
#23Asking someone's age (use carefully)
Example: How old are you? I'm twenty-five years old.
"I love it"
#24Expressing strong positive feelings
Example: This movie is amazing. I love it!
"I don't like it"
#25Expressing dislike for something
Example: I don't like spicy food. It's too hot for me.
"That's great"
#26Expressing approval or excitement
Example: You got the job? That's great! Congratulations!
"That's too bad"
#27Expressing sympathy or disappointment
Example: You can't come to the party? That's too bad.
"No problem"
#28A casual way to say "you're welcome" or "it's okay"
Example: Thanks for the ride. No problem!
"Of course"
#29Expressing agreement or saying yes
Example: Can you help me? Of course, I'd be happy to.
"I think so"
#30Expressing uncertainty or tentative agreement
Example: Is the meeting at 3 PM? I think so, but let me check.
"I don't think so"
#31Expressing disagreement or doubt
Example: Will it rain today? I don't think so. The sky is clear.
"Maybe"
#32Expressing uncertainty or possibility
Example: Are you coming to the party? Maybe, I'm not sure yet.
"I agree"
#33Expressing that you share the same opinion
Example: This restaurant is excellent. I agree, the food is delicious.
"I disagree"
#34Expressing a different opinion
Example: I think the movie was boring. I disagree, I thought it was interesting.
"That's a good idea"
#35Expressing approval of a suggestion
Example: Let's go to the park. That's a good idea!
"I'm not sure"
#36Expressing uncertainty
Example: Do you know where she went? I'm not sure, maybe she went home.
"Let me think"
#37Asking for time to consider something
Example: Should we go now or later? Let me think... I think we should go now.
"What do you think?"
#38Asking for someone's opinion
Example: I'm thinking of buying this car. What do you think?
"I have no idea"
#39Expressing complete lack of knowledge
Example: Where did he go? I have no idea.
"That makes sense"
#40Expressing that something is logical or understandable
Example: We should leave early to avoid traffic. That makes sense.
"I see"
#41Expressing understanding or acknowledgment
Example: The store closes at 6 PM. I see, so we need to hurry.
"Come on"
#42Encouraging someone or expressing disbelief
Example: Come on, you can do it! Don't give up.
"Good luck"
#43Wishing someone success
Example: Good luck on your exam tomorrow!
"Congratulations"
#44Expressing joy for someone's achievement
Example: Congratulations on your graduation!
"Well done"
#45Praising someone for doing something well
Example: You finished the project early. Well done!
"Take care"
#46A friendly farewell expressing concern
Example: I'll see you next week. Take care!
"Be careful"
#47Warning someone to be cautious
Example: The road is slippery. Be careful when you drive.
"I'm tired"
#48Expressing fatigue or exhaustion
Example: I'm tired after working all day.
"I'm busy"
#49Expressing that you have things to do
Example: Can we meet tomorrow? I'm busy today.
"Call me later"
#50Asking someone to phone you at another time
Example: I'm in a meeting now. Call me later, please.
"See you soon"
#51A friendly way to say goodbye when you expect to meet again
Example: Thanks for visiting. See you soon!
Tips for Learning These Phrases
Learning phrases is different from learning individual words. Here's how to master these common phrases effectively:
- •Practice out loud: Say each phrase multiple times. Hearing yourself speak helps with pronunciation and memory.
- •Use them in context: Don't just memorize - think about when you would actually use each phrase in real life.
- •Learn the variations: Many phrases have formal and informal versions. Start with the common versions here, then learn alternatives.
- •Focus on pronunciation: Pay attention to how native speakers say these phrases. Notice the stress and intonation patterns.
- •Use them daily: Try to use at least 5-10 of these phrases in your daily conversations, even if you're just practicing alone.
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