Basic English
Basic English
the lack of English expressions? Have you ever been misunderstood because of
using wrong English phrases to express your ideas? Have you ever felt bored with
using the same expression a thousand times in different contexts?
If you want to improve your English speaking in a short time, it’s really important to
learn common phrases, expressions, and daily use sentences that native
English speakers often use. If you master these everyday English phrases, you will
be able to communicate flexibly in your daily life.
How do you say Hello in English? Besides some simple greeting words such as
“Hello” or “Hi”, there are many different ways to say hello to someone in English.
Here are some common greeting expressions that you can use when you meet
someone.
How do you say goodbye? Do you know that there are many different ways to say
goodbye in English? Discover some common Goodbye phrases and expressions as
below.
Apologies Expressions
I’m sorry…
I’m so sorry…
I’m very sorry…
I’m terribly sorry…
Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.
Sorry about that.
Can you forgive me?
I apologize for…
Please forgive me.
I owe you an apology.
You can blame me for this.
How should I apologize to you?
I beg your pardon.
Sorry, it’s my fault.
Sorry for keeping you waiting.
Sorry, I’m late!
To accept an apology, you can use these sentences and expressions:
That’s all right!
Don’t worry about it.
Forget it!
No problem.
Never mind. It doesn’t really matter.
No big thing.
It’s not your fault.
Please don’t blame yourself.
Think nothing of it.
Introducing yourself
Hello. My name is …
Hi. I’m …
Nice to meet you. I’m …
Pleased to meet you. I’m …
It’s a pleasure to see you. I’m…
May I introduce myself? I’m…
How do you do? My name is…
Let me introduce myself. I’m …
I’d like to introduce myself. I’m …
Introducing others:
John, I’d like to introduce you to Mary.
John, please meet Mary.
John, I’d like you to meet Mary.
John, have you met Mary?
John, let me introduce you to Mary.
John, this is Mary. Mary, this is John.
Useful responses when introducing yourself or other people:
Nice to meet you.
I’m pleased to meet you.
It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Glad to meet you.
How do you do?
Do you know how to say “thank you” in English? Besides some simple expressions
such as “Thank you” or “Thanks”, there are many different ways to say thank you in
English as well.
Below are some useful thank you phrases to show your gratitude and appreciation
to someone for something they have done for you.
You’re welcome!
It was my pleasure.
My pleasure.
Don’t mention it.
Forget it.
No big deal.
It’s was nothing.
Think nothing of it.
I’m glad that I can help you.
Giving Compliments:
Good job!
Well done!
Fantastic!
Perfect!
That’s great!
Nice work!
Excellent!
That’s really remarkable.
Good grades!
What a nice dress!
You look great.
This dish is delicious.
You look very good in that suit.
This tie looks nice on you.
You have a nice voice.
You look very handsome.
I like your haircut.
What a beautiful house!
What a nice apartment!
I really must express my admiration for your speech.
Receiving compliments:
How kind of you to say so.
It’s nice of you to say so.
It’s very kind of you to say that.
Really? I’m not sure about that, actually.
Thank you.
Thanks a lot.
I’m glad you like it.
It was nothing really.
I’m delighted to hear that.
Thanks for your compliment.
Making a complaint
I’m sorry to say this but…
I hate to tell you but…
I’m angry about…
I have a complaint to make…
There seems to be a problem with…
I’m afraid there is a slight problem with…
Sorry to bother you but…
I’m not satisfied with…
Wouldn’t be a good idea to…
There appears to be something wrong with…
I was expecting… but…
Sorry to bother you but…
I want to complain about…
I’m afraid I’ve got a complaint about…
I have to make a complaint about…
I don’t understand why…
Excuse me but there is a problem…
Would you mind…?
Accepting a complaint
Examples:
I like dogs.
I love cooking.
I enjoy playing football.
I’m crazy about pizza.
I’m fond of rock music.
Do you like tennis? Yes, I do.
Expressing dislikes:
I don’t like…
I dislike…
I hate…
I can’t bear…
I can’t stand…
Examples:
I don’t like him.
I can’t stand these people.
I can’t stand this smell.
I don’t like washing dishes.
I hate going to the dentist.
Yes, I am certain.
I’m a hundred percent certain …
I’m absolutely sure.
I have no doubt about it.
I’m sure about it.
I don’t think there can be any doubt about ….
Of course.
I’m positive.
I’m quite sure about it.
I’m no doubt about it.
I’m absolutely certain that…
Expressing Uncertainty:
Making invitations:
Do you feel like going for a walk?
Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
Would you like to play cards?
Would you like a cup of coffee?
What about a cup of tea?
I would like you to have lunch with us tomorrow.
Would you be interested in going to the movies tonight?
Why don’t you have lunch with me tomorrow?
How about joining me for a walk?
I invite you to have breakfast with me tomorrow morning.
Accepting an Invitation:
Thank you for your kind invitation.
I’d love to, thanks.
I’ll be glad to do so.
Thanks, I’d like that very much.
That’s a great idea.
Thanks for inviting me to dinner.
It’s very nice of you.
Many thanks for your kind invitation. I’ll join you.
Sure. Thank you.
With pleasure!
Refusing an Invitation:
I’m sorry to refuse your invitation.
I can’t, sorry. I have to work.
Thanks for your invitation but I’m busy now.
I’m afraid I won’t be able to come.
I’m afraid I am busy tomorrow.
Sorry, I’d love to but I have an appointment.
I really don’t think I can, sorry.
That’s very kind of you, but I can’t accept your invitation.
Making requests:
Will/Would/Can/Could you please…
Do you mind…?
Do you think you could…?
Do you think it would be possible to…?
Would it be possible for you to…?
Would there be any possibility of…
Would you be kind enough to…?
Would you mind…?
Can/could you… for me, please?
Could you possibly…
I’d appreciate it if you could…
Can/Could I ask you to…?
You couldn’t… could you?
Examples:
Can you give me the book?
Could you please take off your raincoat?
Could you please take me to the dentist?
Would you mind opening the window for me, please?
Would you be kind enough to repair my computer?
Do you think you could take me to the supermarket?
Could I ask you to take me home?
Can you tell me what happened?
Would you come to my birthday party?
Would it be possible for you to come here at 8 A.M?
Accepting Requests:
Sure, I’d be glad to…
I’d be happy to …
Sure. Just a moment.
No problem.
Of course
Certainly.
All right.
Refusing Requests:
I’m sorry, I can’t.
I’m sorry, but …
I’d loved to, but …
Sorry to say that …
It sounds great, but …
Making Offers:
Can I…?
Shall I…?
Would you like me to…(do something)?
Would you like…(something)?
Do you want me to…(do something)?
Do you want…(something)?
Let me…(do something)
I can…If you’d like
I’d be happy to…(do something)
May I offer you… (something)?
I will…If you’d like
Examples:
Would you like something to drink?
Would you like me to open the door?
Can I help you?
Can I give you a hand?
Let me help you.
Would you like me to answer the phone?
Do you want some more tea?
Do you want me to turn down the TV?
I’d happy to take you to the airport.
May I offer you a cup of coffee.
Accepting Offers:
Yes, please.
Yes, I’d love to.
Yes. That would be great.
Yes please, that would be lovely.
Yes, If you wouldn’t mind.
That’s very kind of you.
That sounds nice.
Thank you. I’d like to.
Refusing Offers:
No, thanks.
It’s Ok. I can do it myself.
Thank you for your kindness but I can do it myself.
Don’t worry. I can do it.
I appreciate that but I can do it myself.
Asking and Giving Permission in English
Expressing sympathy:
That’s too bad.
That’s so sad.
I’m sorry. What bad luck!
I hope things get better soon.
It would be OK soon.
I hope you feel better soon.
What a pity!
Oh, that’s terrible.
Be patient, it would be better soon.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am.
Oh, I am sorry to hear that .
I know how it feels.
I take my sympathy to you.
You must be very upset about it.
I sympathize with your condition.
Responding:
Guessing
It looks like you’re new here.
It looks like you don’t know what happened.
Perhaps she knows the answer.
I’d say it’s over 9 A.M now.
If I had to take a guess, I’d say he’s 40.
Maybe he wants to quit his job.
Maybe it’s going to rain.
Chances are you’re doing it wrong
He could be right about it.
I guess you are over 30 years old.
It’s difficult to say, but I think this is the best English course.
I’m not really sure, but I think this is the last morning train.
Giving Opinions
Expressing opinions:
I think we need to buy a house.
In my opinion, this is the best website for learning Spoken English.
I don’t think we should get a new car.
Personally, I think you’re right.
From my point of view, she is the best student in the class.
As far as I’m concerned, this T-shirt doesn’t suit you.
My personal view is that he is a liar.
In my point of view, this is the most beautiful island on earth.
It seems to me that we get lost.
To my mind, it’s the right thing to do.
I personally believe we’re in the right way.
Agreeing with an opinion:
This is absolutely right.
I couldn’t agree more.
I completely agree with you.
I agree with this opinion.
Disagreeing with an opinion:
I don’t agree with you.
I think you’re wrong.
I don’t think so.
I’m afraid I can’t agree with you.
Making Appointment:
Can we meet on the 14th?
Can we meet next Friday?
Are you available on the 14th?
Are you free next week?
Let’s meet this evening.
When can I talk to you?
Can I meet you tomorrow afternoon?
How about tomorrow afternoon?
Is next Monday convenient for you?
Do you have any time available this week?
When would be a good time to meet you?
Would today evening be all right?
Can you give me an appointment on Sunday?
Accepting an appointment:
Sure. I’ll come.
Yes, Sunday is fine.
Friday would be perfect.
I’ll be there at that time.
Canceling/rejecting an appointment:
Sorry. I have another appointment at that time.
I’m sorry. I can’t come.
I’m afraid I can’t on the 14th.
I’m sorry, I won’t be able to make it on Sunday.
Sorry. I don’t think I can make it.
Talking about Fear and Anxiety in English
Are you afraid of the dark?
I’m afraid of being alone at night.
I’m scared of snakes.
I’m frightened of spiders.
I am terrified.
I get scared very easily.
I was terrified when I heard the noise outside.
I’m worried about her health.
Useful Responses:
Don’t be afraid.
It’s not a big deal.
It is nothing.
There is nothing to be afraid of.
Take is easy.
Calm down.
Making promises:
I promise that I will finish the job on time.
I promise you that that’s the truth.
I swear I will never leave you.
I swear I won’t let you down.
I assure you that I will return the book tomorrow morning.
I assure you that I will be there on time.
Believe me, I won’t make you disappointed.
Trust me, I can do it.
Useful Responses:
Thank you.
I believe you.
All right. Keep your promise.
I hope you will keep your words.
Just let the time answer it.
Admitting mistakes:
I have to admit that I was wrong.
I admit what I’ve done is wrong.
I shouldn’t be like this.
Sorry. I know this was my fault.
I’m fully responsible for this matter.
I have made a mistake.
It’s my mistakes. Forgive me.
Yes, I take the blame.
I was the one to blame.
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.
I never intended it that way.
Useful responses:
Don’t mention it.
Let it go.
That’s fine.
Just take it easy.
Don’t do it again.
Forget it. It doesn’t matter.
That would be okay.
Don’t worry about it.
It’s okay.
Asking directions
Excuse me, do you know where the bookstore is?
How can I get to the train station from here?
Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the bus station?
Can you show me the way to the post office?
Excuse me, where is the hospital?
Can you show me on the map?
What’s the best way to get to the airport?
What’s the fastest way to the airport?
How far is it to the stadium from here?
What street is this?
Is this the way to the police station?
Is there a supermarket near here?
Can you give me directions to the gas station?
Agreeing:
I completely agree.
You’re absolutely right.
I agree with you entirely.
I totally agree with you.
I couldn’t agree more.
Exactly.
Absolutely!
You’re right.
Me too!
I agree.
I see exactly what you mean!
That’s exactly what I think.
There is no doubt about it.
Partly agreeing:
I agree up to a point, but …
That’s partly true, but …
That may be true, but…
I see your point, but …
I guess so, but…
That seems obvious, but…
I’m not so sure about that.
Disagreeing:
I don’t agree!
I don’t agree with you.
I totally disagree!
I’m sorry, but I disagree.
Absolutely not!
I’m afraid I can’t agree with you.
That’s not right!
That’s not always true.
I don’t think so.
No, that’s not true.
No way!
Expressing Congratulations:
Congratulations!
Great!
Well done!
Please accept my warmest congratulations…
Let me offer you my congratulations.
I’d like to congratulate you on …
Let me congratulate you on. ..
Congratulations on your promotion!
Congratulations on your graduation!
Congratulations! You deserve it!
That was excellent. Congratulations!
Good wishes:
Best wishes!
Best wishes on your new job!
Best of luck!
Good luck to you!
All the best…
Wish you a happy married life.
Useful Responses:
Thanks.
Thanks so much.
Thanks a million.
Thanks a lot.
Thank you for your kindness.
It’s very kind of you.
It’s very nice of you.
Thanks for your support.
Thanks for your kind words.
Family
How many people are there in your family?
There are 5 people in my family: my father, mother, brother, sister, and me.
Does your family live in a house or an apartment?
We live in a house in the countryside.
What does your father do?
My father is a doctor. He works at the local hospital.
How old is your mother?
She is 40 years old, 1 year younger than my father.
Do you have any siblings? What’s his/her name?
Yes, I do. I have 1 elder brother, David, and 1 younger sister, Mary.
Are you the oldest amongst your brothers and sisters?
No, I’m not. I’m the second child in my family.
What do your mother/father like?
My father likes playing football and my mother likes cooking.
Do your parents let you stay out late?
Of course not. They always ask me to get home before 10 pm each night.
Do you stay with your parents?
Right now, no, but I used to.
Does your family usually have dinner together?
Yes, we do. My mom always prepares delicious meals for us.