USEFUL ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS – BASIC SITUATIONS
CONTENTS
1.___APOLOGISING
2.___ASKING ABOUT HEALTH AND LIFE
3.___ASKING FOR APROVAL
4.___ASKING FOR INFORMATION
5.___ASKING SOMEBODY’S OPINION
6.___AT THE BANK
7.___COLOURS
8.___DESCRIBING BAD PEOPLE
9.___DESCRIBING GOOD PEOPLE
10.__GIVING AN OPINION
11.__HAVE A GUESS
12.__HOPING FOR SOMETHING
13.__HOT WEATHER
14.__I’M FROM …
15.__JOBS – HEALTH WORKERS
16.__JOBS – PUBLIC SERVANTS
17.__JOBS CONNECTED WITH TRAVEL
18.__KINDS OF SHOPS
19.__MIXED FEELINGS
20.__ON THE PHONE
21.__PHRASES FOR POSTCARDS
22.__PHRASES YOU HEAR IN AN AIRPORT
23.__POSSIBILITY
24.__REMEMBERING THINGS
25.__REMINDING PEOPLE TO DO THINGS
26.__ROOMS IN A HOUSE
27.__SAYING GOODBYE
28.__SAYING SOMEBODY IS CORRECT
29.__SAYING SOMEBODY IS WRONG
30.__SAYING SOMETHING IS DIFFICULT
31.__SAYING THAT SOMETHING IS EASY
32.__SAYING THINS ARE GOOD
33.__SAYING YOU ARE UNWELL
34.__SAYING YOU DON’T KNOW
35.__SOMETIMES
36.__SUPERMARKET PHRASES
37.__SURPRISE
38.__TALKING ABOUT GOOD IDEAS
39.__TALKING ABOUT RAIN
40.__TALKING ABOUT WEATHER
41.__TELEPHONES AND TELEPHONING
42.__TELLING PEOPLE YOUR JOB
43.__WAYS EXPRESSING DISLIKES
44.__WAYS OF SAYING HELLO
45.__WAYS OF TALKING ABOUT LIKES
46.__THANKING PEOPLE
47.__THINGS IN A STATIONERY SHOP
48.__THINGS TO SAY WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY
49.__THINGS YOU DO WHILE DRIVING
50.__TOILETS
51.__UK CLOTHES AND FASHION
52.__WANTING THINGS
53.__WAYS TO SAY YOU ARE WELL
*** *** ***
1.___APOLOGISING
1. Sorry.
2. I'm (so / very / terribly) sorry.
3. Ever so sorry.
4. How stupid / careless / thoughtless of me.
5. Pardon (me)
6. That's my fault.
7. Sorry. It was all my fault.
8. Please excuse my (ignorance)
9. Please don't be mad at me.
10. Please accept our (sincerest) apologies.
*
2.___ASKING ABOUT HEALTH AND LIFE
1. How are you?
2. How are things?
3. How's things?
4. How's it going?
5. How are you getting on?
6. How have you been?
7. What have you been (getting) up to?
8. I hope everything's okay?
9. Alright?
10. How have you been keeping?
*
3.___ASKING FOR APROVAL
1. Do you think it's all right to do it?
2. What do you think about (me doing that)?
3. Do you think / reckon I ought to (do it)?
4. What would you say if I (did it)?
5. Would you approve of (doing something)?
6. What is your attitude to the idea of...
7. Are you in favour of (me doing something)?
8. You are in favour of ... aren't you?
9. Do you think anyone would mind if I...
10. Would it be really awfuil if I...
*
4.___ASKING FOR INFORMATION
1. Can you tell me...?
2. Could you tell me...?
3. I'd like to know...
4. D'you know...
5. (Got / Have you) any idea...?
6. Could anyone tell me...?
7. (Do / Would) you happen to know...?
8. I don't suppose you (would) know...?
9. I wonder if you could tell me...?
10. I wonder if someone could tell me...?
*
5.___ASKING SOMEBODY’S OPINION
1. What do you think of...?
2. What do you think about...?
3. How d'you feel (about...)?
4. What d'you reckon (about...)?
5. What's your opinion of...?
6. (What do think about) that?
7. What are your views on...?
8. Where do you stand (on...)?
9. What would you say to... / if we...?
10. Are you aware of.....?
*
6.___AT THE BANK
1. Cashier
2. Current account
3. High interest account
4. Balance
5. Cheque book
6. Debit card / Cash card
7. Hole-in-the-wall / Cashpoint
8. Overdraft / Overdrawn
9. In the red / In the black
10. Standing order
*
7.___COLOURS
1. gold / primrose / buttercup
2. oatmeal / fawn / beige
3. pink / magenta
4. maroon / burgundy
5. Crimson, scarlet, rose
6. emerald / khaki
7. turquoise / jade / cyan
8. royal blue / sky blue
9. navy / midnight blue
10. lilac / lavender / mauve
*
8.___DESCRIBING BAD PEOPLE
1. Unfriendly / cold
2. Short-tempered / quick-tempered
3. Lazy
4. Stupid / dim-witted
5. Mean / stingy
6. Boring / dull
7. Inconsiderate / thoughtless
8. Strict / authoritarian
9. Unreliable
10. Dishonest
*
9.___DESCRIBING GOOD PEOPLE
1. Warm-hearted / friendly
2. Good-looking
3. Hard-working
4. Bright
5. Generous / Kind
6. Full of energy / energetic
7. Thoughtful / Considerate
8. Easy-going
9. Reliable / responsible
10. Truthful / honest
*
10.__GIVING AN OPINION
1. I reckon...
2. I'd say...
3. Personally, I think...
4. What I reckon is...
5. If you ask me...
6. The way I see it...
7. As far as I'm concerned...
8. If you don't mind me saying...
9. I'm utterly convinced that...
10. In my humble opinion...
*
11.__HAVE A GUESS
1. Off the top of my head, I think she's 26.
2. Knowing (the English), he likes football.
3. If I had to take a guess, I'd say she's 26
4. I'd say she's 26.
5. Chances are she's 26.
6. At a guess, I'd say she's 26.
7. Probably about 26.
8. We're talking maybe late twenties.
9. About 6-ish
10. Around about 6 o'clock
*
12.__HOPING FOR SOMETHING
1. I hope it's sunny tomorrow
2. I'm hoping it'll be sunny tomorrow.
3. Hopefully, it'll be sunny tomorrow.
4. Let's hope it's sunny tomorrow.
5. Here's hoping we have a sunny day.
6. If we're lucky, it'll be sunny tomorrow
7. With any luck, it'll be sunny tomorrow.
8. I wish / If only it would be sunny...
9. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for...
10. I'm (really) counting on it being sunny
*
13.__HOT WEATHER
1. It's nice and warm today.
2. It's pretty hot, isn't it?
3. We're having a heatwave!
4. It's so hot! It must be over 80.
5. It's nice in the sun.
6. The weather's lovely.
7. It's a lovely day.
8. It's absolutely boiling!
9. It's positively tropical today.
10. It's sunny today, isn't it?
*
14.__I’M FROM …
1. I come from Bristol.
2. I'm from Bristol.
3. I'm a Bristolian.
4. Bristol's where I'm from.
5. Bristol's my hometown.
6. I was born and bred in Bristol.
7. I'm a Bristol boy/girl.
8. Bristol's my home.
9. I call Bristol home.
10. I'm based in Bristol.
*
15.__JOBS – HEALTH WORKERS
1. GP / General Practitioner
2. Specialist / Consultant
3. Surgeon
4. Theatre nurse
5. Dentist
6. Dental hygienist
7. Chiropodist
8. Optician
9. Paramedic
10. Vet / Vetenarian
*
16.__JOBS – PUBLIC SERVANTS
1. Police officer
2. Fire fighter
3. Street sweeper
4. Bin men / Garbage collectors
5. Tax inspector
6. Civil servant
7. Bus driver
8. Traffic warden
9. Car park attendant
10. Security manager
*
17.__JOBS CONNECTED WITH TRAVEL
1. Travel agent
2. Check-in staff
3. Customs officers
4. Immigration officials
5. Flight crew
6. Cabin staff
7. Air marshall
8. Air traffic controllers
9. Courier
10. Tour rep
*
18.__KINDS OF SHOPS
1. Greengrocer's
2. Butcher's
3. Baker's
4. Chemist's
5. Stationer's / Stationery shop
6. Ironmonger's / Hardware shop
7. Florist's
8. Newsagent's
9. Off Licence
10. Corner shop
*
19.__MIXED FEELINGS
1. happy / contented / delighted
2. sad / depressed
3. amused
4. excited
5. frightened / afraid / terrified
6. worried / anxious
7. tired / sleepy
8. angry / annoyed
9. disappointed
10. bored
*
20.__ON THE PHONE
1. I'll call you later.
2. Leave a message.
3. Hi Simon, it's Anna.
4. Did you get my message?
5. Can I speak to Rob, please?
6. Hi, Jenny. Where are you?
7. Thanks for getting back to me.
8. Leave a message after the beep
9. What's your number?
10. I'm returning your call.
*
21.__PHRASES FOR POSTCARDS
1. We're having a lovely / great time.
2. We're thinking of you.
3. The weather's been lovely / gorgeous.
4. It's our third day in (Majorca).
5. We're flying back on the (5th).
6. We've only got three days to go.
7. I've caught the sun a bit.
8. Don't think much of the food.
9. Say hello to (the kids).
10. Wish you were here.
*
22.__PHRASES YOU HEAR IN AN AIRPORT
1. What is the purpose of your trip?
2. Did you pack this bag yourself?
3. Please do not leave any bags unattended.
4. Do you have anything to declare?
5. Flight BA333 is now boarding.
6. Flight UA666 has been cancelled.
7. Flight SA999 has been delayed.
8. Would passenger Jo Page please come to...
9. This is the final call for flight BA111 to
10. ...please make your way to Gate 99.
*
23.__POSSIBILITY
1. It's probably going to rain tomorrow.
2. There's a (good) chance it'll rain...
3. In all probability, it'll rain...
4. The odds are it'll rain tomorrow.
5. I wouldn't be surprised if it rained...
6. There's a fifty-fifty chance of rain...
7. It's quite likely it'll rain...
8. It may / might / could rain tomorrow.
9. Maybe it'll rain tomorrow.
10. There's (just) a chance it'll rain
*
24.__REMEMBERING THINGS
1. I remember...
2. I can (clearly) remember...
3. I'll never forget...
4. As far as I can remember...
5. As I recall...
6. If I remember correctly...
7. If I'm not / Unless I'm - mistaken...
8. Now I come to think of it...
9. I have a vague recollection of...
10. It's on the tip of my tongue.
*
25.__REMINDING PEOPLE TO DO THINGS
1. Don't forget to do it.
2. Remember to do it.
3. You will remember to do it.
4. You won't forget to do it, will you?
5. Can / Could I remind you to...?
6. I'd like to remind you about...
7. You haven't forgotten about __, have you?
8. I hope you haven't forgotten to...
9. Sorry to be a bore but do remember to...
10. May I remind you / all passengers that...
*
26.__ROOMS IN A HOUSE
1. Kitchen
2. Bathroom
3. Cloakroom / Toliet / Water closet
4. Hall
5. Landing
6. Lounge / Living room
7. Dining room
8. Bedrooms
9. Attic / Loft conversion
10. Cellar
*
27.__SAYING GOODBYE
1. Bye!
2. Goodbye!
3. Bye for now!
4. See you! / See ya!
5. Be seeing you!
6. See you soon!
7. I'm off.
8. Cheerio!
9. Catch you later!
10. Good night!
*
28.__SAYING SOMEBODY IS CORRECT
1. Yes, that's right.
2. You're quite right.
3. Yes, that's correct.
4. That's spot on.
5. You're dead right (there).
6. Absolutely.
7. You've hit the nail on the head.
8. You could say so.
9. I'm afraid so.
10. (I'm) sorry to say so.
*
29.__SAYING SOMEBODY IS WRONG
1. I'm afarid that's not quite right.
2. Actually, I think you'll find that...
3. I'm afraid you're mistaken.
4. I don't think you're right about...
5. Actually, I don't think...
6. No, you've got it wrong.
7. No, that's all wrong.
8. Rubbish! / You're talking rubbish.
9. Where did you hear that?
10. If you check your facts, you'll find...
*
30.__SAYING SOMETHING IS DIFFICULT
1. It's not so easy..
2. It's a bit tricky..
3. It's not the easiest ___ in the world..
4. It's quite tough at times..
5. It's (quite / a bit) hard going..
6. It's nigh on impossible..
7. The course is quite demanding.
8. The course can be gruelling at times
9. It isn't a walk in the park
10. It's not a course for the faint-hearted.
*
31.__SAYING THAT SOMETHING IS EASY
1. It's a doddle.
2. Easy peasy.
3. It's a cinch.
4. There's nothing to it.
5. Anyone can do it.
6. It's childsplay.
7. It's a walk in the park.
8. It's not rocket science.
9. It's easy as pie / easy as a,b,c
10. I can do it with my eyes shut
*
32.__SAYING THINS ARE GOOD
1. It's great.
2. It's fantastic.
3. It's excellent.
4. It's better than average.
5. It's not bad.
6. I'd recommend it.
7. I'm very impressed.
8. It's better than I expected.
9. It's the best I've ever seen / tasted
10. I could ___ till the cows come home.
*
33.__SAYING YOU ARE UNWELL
1. Not too good.
2. Not so great.
3. A little under the weather.
4. A bit rough.
5. A bit the worse for wear.
6. Much the same as yesterday.
7. A bit better.
8. As well as can be expected.
9. (I feel) lousy.
10. Bloody awful.
*
34.__SAYING YOU DON’T KNOW
1. Sorry. I don't know.
2. (I'm afraid,) I've no idea.
3. (Sorry,) I can't help you there.
4. I don't know anything about..(cars)
5. I don't know the first thing about (cars)
6. I haven't got a clue.
7. Search me.
8. Don't ask me.
9. What are you asking me for?
10. How the hell should I know?
*
35.__SOMETIMES
1. fairly often...
2. more often than not...
3. (at least) half the time...
4. almost every other day...
5. several times a week / a year
6. every so often...
7. now and then...
8. from time to time...
9. once in a while...
10. on a good day...
*
36.__SUPERMARKET PHRASES
1. Where can I find the (Rich Tea Biscuits)?
2. They're on aisle 7 (next to the cakes).
3. Sorry, it's out of stock at the moment.
4. I'm afraid it's been discontinued.
5. How would you like to pay?
6. Do you need any help packing?
7. I can manage myself thank you.
8. Do you want any cash back?
9. Please enter your PIN number.
10. Would you like a receipt?
*
37.__SURPRISE
1. Really?
2. What?
3. What a surprise!
4. Well I never! / Blimey!
5. That's the last thing I expected
6. You're kidding!
7. I don't believe it! / Are you serious?
8. I'm speechless!
9. I'd never have guessed.
10. You don't say!
*
38.__TALKING ABOUT GOOD IDEAS
1. That's a great idea.
2. That's an idea.
3. Good idea!
4. What a great idea!
5. I think that's a fantastic idea.
6. I like that idea.
7. I like the idea of that.
8. That's not a bad idea.
9. You know what? That's a good idea.
10. Cool!
*
39.__TALKING ABOUT RAIN
1. Is that rain?
2. It's only a shower.
3. It's pouring.
4. It's bucketing down.
5. We'd better run for it.
6. It's been raining all day.
7. I'm soaked to the skin.
8. I'm drenched.
9. Looks like rain.
10. We could do with some rain.
*
40.__TALKING ABOUT WEATHER
1. It's freezing outside!
2. It's a bit chilly. Wrap up warm.
3. It's cold.
4. It's Arctic out there.
5. It's quite fresh - take a jumper.
6. You can see your breath in the air.
7. It's below zero.
8. It must be minus five or more.
9. It's pretty frosty today.
10. My car's iced up, it's that cold.
*
41.__TELEPHONES AND TELEPHONING
1. Receiver / handset
2. Keypad / Dial
3. Earpiece / Mouthpiece
4. Phone box
5. The phone book
6. The Yellow Pages
7. Operator
8. Directory Enquiries
9. The dial tone
10. Reverse charges
*
42.__TELLING PEOPLE YOUR JOB
1. I'm a hairdresser.
2. I'm in hairdressing.
3. I work as a hairdresser.
4. I'm a professional hairdresser.
5. I do a bit of hairdressing.
6. I'm in the hairdressing business.
7. I cut hair (for a living).
8. I work for a hairdressers.
9. My day job is hairdressing.
10. I earn my living as a hairdresser.
*
43.__WAYS EXPRESSING DISLIKES
1. I don't really like classical music.
2. Classical music is not very me.
3. Classical music is not my style.
4. Classical music doesn't do anything for me
5. Classical music is not my thing.
6. I'm not into classical music.
7. Classical music sucks.
8. I'm not much of a classical music fan.
9. I never listen to classical music.
10. You can keep classical music.
*
44.__WAYS OF SAYING HELLO
1. Hi.
2. Hello.
3. How's it going?
4. How do you do?
5. How's tricks?
6. Watcha!
7. How are things?
8. Haven't seen you for ages.
9. Great to see you again.
10. Nice to meet you.
*
45.__WAYS OF TALKING ABOUT LIKES
1. I love rock and roll.
2. I really like rock and roll.
3. I live for rock and roll.
4. Rock and roll is my favourite.
5. I can't get enough of rock and roll.
6. Rock and roll is my life.
7. I'm really into rock and roll.
8. Rock and roll is my thing.
9. I'm keen on rock and roll.
10. I listen to rock and roll all day long.
*
46.__THANKING PEOPLE
1. Thanks.
2. Cheers.
3. Thank you very much.
4. I really appreciate it.
5. You've made my day.
6. How thoughtful.
7. You shouldn't have.
8. That's so kind of you.
9. I am most grateful.
10. We would like to express our gratitude.
*
47.__THINGS IN A STATIONERY SHOP
1. Lined / unlined paper
2. Ring binders
3. Post-it notes
4. A hole punch
5. Ink-jet cartridges
6. Highlighter pens
7. Liquid paper / correction fluid
8. Sellotape
9. Marker pens
10. Drawing pins
*
48.__THINGS TO SAY WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY
1. I don't believe it!
2. What a pain!
3. It's driving me up the wall.
4. I've had it up to here with...
5. I've had all I can take of...
6. It really gets on my nerves.
7. I'm sick and tired of...
8. I'm fed up with it.
9. I could really do without it.
10. Is it possible?
*
49.__THINGS YOU DO WHILE DRIVING
1. Indicate
2. Pull out
3. Drive off
4. Pull over
5. Speed up
6. Slow down
7. Step on it
8. Slam the brakes on
9. Have a near miss
10. Get pulled over
*
50.__TOILETS
1. Lavatory / Toilet
2. Loo / Bog
3. Water closet
4. Khazi
5. Latrines
6. Little boys' room / little girls' room
7. Ladies / gents
8. Crapper
9. Public conveniences
10. The smallest room / throne room
*
51.__UK CLOTHES AND FASHION
1. A pair of trainers
2. A hoodie / hooded top
3. Surf shorts
4. Combats
5. Anorak
6. Waistcoat
7. Faded jeans
8. Nose studs / Piercings
9. Bare midriff
10. Doc Martens
*
52.__WANTING THINGS
1. I'd really like / I'd love a day off
2. I wouldn't mind a...
3. I could (really) do with a...
4. I could use a...
5. What I'd really like / love is a...
6. All (that) we need is a day off
7. Ideally, what I'd like is a day off
8. A _____ would be (much) appreciated
9. A _____ would go down well.
10. I'm dying for / longing for...
*
53.__WAYS TO SAY YOU ARE WELL
1. I'm fine thank you.
2. I feel great / marvellous / fine.
3. Couldn't be better.
4. Fit as a fiddle.
5. Very well, thanks.
6. Okay.
7. Alright.
8. Not bad.
9. Much better.
10. All the better for seeing you.
*** *** ***
