You will learn common phrases to ask about how someone is, how you are, how to invite someone, and how to respond to situations. Among other situations so that you can improve your English vocabulary and use these common English phrases when speaking English.
If you learn these phrases and practice them, you will start to feel more comfortable speaking English with friends, colleagues, or strangers.
Common phrases to ask how someone is doing
- How are things?
- How are you?
- How have you been?
- How ya doin’?
- How’s it going?
- How’s life?
- How’s your family?
- How's life?
- What have you been up to lately?
- What’s new?
- What’s up?
See: 153 Common Phrases in English
Common phrases to say how you are
- Can’t complain
- Could be better
- Great!
- I’m fine, thanks. How about you?
- I’ve been busy
- Not bad
- Not so great
- Pretty good
- Same as always
Common phrases to say thank you
- Beyond grateful
- Eternally grateful
- From the bottom of my heart, thank you
- Grateful for your support
- I appreciate your thoughtfulness, you’ve made my day!
- I can’t thank you enough
- I owe you one.
- I really appreciate it
- I really appreciate it.
- I truly appreciate you
- I truly appreciate your hard work
- I’m really grateful
- I’m so thankful for everything you bring to the table
- It’s very kind of you
- Many thanks
- Please accept my deepest thanks
- So glad you’re on my team
- Thank you for all your hard work on this
- Thank you for everything
- Thank you for going above and beyond!
- Thank you kindly
- Thank you, you’re amazing!
- Thanks a million
- Thanks again, we couldn’t have pulled this off without you
- Thanks for being in my corner
- That’s so kind of you.
- Warmest thanks
- You are an angel
- You are the best
- You have my gratitude
- You made my day
- You saved my day
- You’re a dear
Common phrases to respond to thanks
- Anything for you!
- Anytime! Well, as long as it's convenient for me, that is.
- Anytime.
- Don’t mention it.
- Glad to help.
- Happy I could be of help.
- I hope you enjoy it/I hope it helps.
- I know you would help me if I needed it. I'm glad to do the same for you.
- I was happy to be able to assist you.
- I'm glad to hear everything worked out well.
- I'm happy to be of service.
- I'm so pleased to hear that you liked it. It just really seemed like something you would enjoy.
- It was the least I could do.
- It's my pleasure.
- My pleasure.
- My pleasure. Please feel free to reach out to me via this email address should you need help in the future.
- No problem.
- No worries
- Pas de probleme/de rien.
- Sure!
- Thank you.
- You’re welcome.
See: Express Your Feeling More Precisely in English
Common phrases to end a conversation politely
- Anyway, I should get going.
- I have to be somewhere.
- I have to go to the bathroom.
- I’d love to hear more but I gotta run.
- I’m sorry to cut you off, but I actually gotta run.
- It was great talking to you but I want to talk to someone else over there.
- It was nice chatting with you.
- Ok bye.
- See you later.
- Someone or something interrupts.
- Sorry, but I’m afraid I need to…
- They look bored.
- Well, it’s getting late.
- Ya know what? I really gotta get going.
- You (or they) are starting to repeat themselves.
- You are bored.
- You have run out of things to say.
- You need a break.
Common phrases said to ask for information
- Can I have … please?
- Could anyone tell me…?
- Could you tell me…?
- Do you happen to know…?
- Do you have any idea…?
- Do you know…?
- Don’t suppose you (would) know…?
- Have you got an idea of…?
- I don’t suppose you know…?
- I was wondering…
- I wonder if someone could tell me…?
- I wonder if you could tell me…?
- I’d like to know…
- I’m calling to find out…
- I’m interested in…
- I’m looking for…
- Is this right way for …? (Asking for and Giving Directions)
- Would you mind…?
See: More Than 10 Cases of Self-Expression in English
Common phrases said when you don't know
- (I'm afraid,) I've no idea.
- (Sorry,) I can't help you there.
- Beats me.
- Don't ask me.
- How the hell should I know?
- I can't help you there.
- I don't know anything about..(cars)
- I don't know the first thing about (cars)
- I have no idea/clue.
- I haven't got a clue.
- I'm not really sure.
- I've been wondering that, too.
- Search me.
- Sorry. I don't know.
- What are you asking me for?
Common phrases for not giving your opinion
- I (really) don't know what to say.
- I am afraid that is not quite true.
- I couldn't say.
- I disagree.
- I don't have any feelings either way.
- I don't have strong feelings either way.
- I don't think so.
- I don't think that's quite right.
- I have no opinion on the matter.
- I really can't say.
- I think otherwise.
- It doesn't affect me (either way).
- It doesn't make any difference to me.
- I've never given it much thought.
- That's an interesting question.
- Your guess is as good as mine.
- You're asking the wrong person.
Common phrases of approval
- Absolutely.
- Exactly.
- He approved of it, so you can go ahead with the project.
- I suppose so.
- Please let me know if this is OK with you.
- Please let me know what you think.
- We just need the thumbs up/the green light. (=we're waiting for approval)
- What are your thoughts (on this)?
- What do you think?
- You (totally) have the green light!
- That’s for sure.
- I agree 100%.
- I couldn’t agree more.
Common phrases said when differing
- (I'm afraid) I don't agree.
- Actually, as a matter of fact. I think..
- Do you really think..?
- How apalling / dreadful!
- How can people do things like that?
- I agree up to a point, but..
- I don't think much of that.
- I take a very dim view of people doing...
- I'm dead against people doing...
- I'm not so sure about that.
- I'm not sure about that!
- I'm utterly apalled / disgusted.
- It shouldn't be allowed!
- Not necessarily.
- Rubbish! / Nonsense!
- That's an interesting idea, but..
- That's not how I see it.
- That's not how I see it.
- What a rotten / mean thing to do.
- Whatever next?
- Who do they think they are?
- You can't be serious!
- You could be right, but...
Common phrases to respond to the good news
- Congratulations!
- Fantastic/great/awesome!
- Good for you!
- Good job!
- I can’t believe it! That’s great!
- I’m (so/really) glad to hear that!
- I’m so happy for you!
- I’m thrilled for you!
- I’m/we’re very happy for you.
- Really? Are you serious!?!
- That is good news.
- That’s great news!
- That’s great!
- That’s so great!
- That’s very good news.
- Well done!
- Wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
- Wow! That’s awesome!
See: Express Yourself in English With the Most Common Expressions
Common phrases to respond to bad news
- Oh no…
- That's terrible.
- Poor you.
- I'm so sorry to hear that.
- Oh no, that stinks!
- What a bummer.
- Oh, I’m sorry.
- That’s awful.
- Sorry, that’s rough/awful/disappointing.
- Hope you feel better. (Used when someone isn’t feeling well or is getting sick.)
- I’m so sorry to hear that!
- What awful news! I’m sorry.
- I’m sorry to hear such terrible news.
- I’m very sorry – that must be awful/frustrating/scary/difficult.
- If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.
- I really don’t know what to say, I can’t believe it. I’m very sorry.
- I’m terribly sorry to hear that.
- How terrible/sad/awful – I’m so sorry.
- I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?
- I’m very sorry about your loss. (Used to express sympathy for news of a death.)
- Please accept my sincerest condolences/sympathies. (Used to express sympathy for news of a death.)
- If you need anything, I’m here for you.
- My heart hurts for you. I’m very sorry.
Common phrases to invite someone somewhere
- Do you want to have a drink with me?
- Come to the beach with me next week
- Why don't we go out for dinner?
- Are you doing anything this weekend?
- Let's go away this weekend.
- Are you doing anything later?
- How about going to a movie?
- Let's get a drink. I'm buying.
- Why don't we have coffee tomorrow?
- Why don't we have breakfast. My treat.
- Do you want to come to a concert with me?
- Let's go celebrate with dinner. It's on me.
- Do you want to come to a concert with me?
- Would you like to attend the performance with me?
- Wanna grab a drink? Wanna grab lunch later?
- I'd like to ask you to attend the open ceremonies next week.
- Wanna grab a coffee?
- It would be my pleasure if you would join us for dinner tonight.
- How about we have a picnic?
- May we have the honor of your presence at dinner on Friday?
- Do you wanna do something?
- Do you want to get lunch on Saturday?
- Are you free tonight?
- We should get together sometime
- Are you free later?
See: Animals Vocabulary and Phrases With Pictures in English
Common phrases when talking about food
- Have you tried the chocolate cake? It’s really good!
- His mom makes such mouth-watering cakes that I just can’t wait to go over to his house tonight.
- How about eating out tonight?
- I love how flavorful this soup is with all the fresh herbs and vegetables in it.
- I usually just have a salad for lunch because I’m trying to lose weight.
- I’ll admit I have a sweet tooth because I can never say no to cakes, pastries and ice cream.
- I’m so glad I ordered this pizza—it tastes great!
- I’ve been a vegetarian for a year and I don’t even miss eating meat at all.
- If I’m too tired to cook, I just make a quick and easy one-pot meal.
- I'll have…
- I'm starving!
- Let’s grab a bite to eat.
- My grandma makes amazing cookies, cakes and pies. I always look forward to dessert when I go to her house.
- No matter how busy I am, I try to eat healthy and exercise every day.
- So how can you express that without sounding impolite?
- That strawberry muffin looks tempting, but I’m on a low-carb diet.
- This cake is so moist! It’s just too sweet for my taste.
- This cheesecake is really yummy. I’m going for another slice.
- This chicken is too spicy. It could use a little less chili sauce.
- This tiramisu tastes different. I think I prefer the chocolate cake.
- To stay healthy, I go to the gym, cycle to work and eat a balanced diet.
- When I’m busy with school, I usually end up eating fast food.
- Whenever I get home early from work, I make myself a nice home-cooked meal.
- Wow, this pasta salad is amazing!
Common phrases when talking about prices
- It cost a fortune.
- It cost an arm and a leg.
- It was a real bargain.
- It was dirt cheap.
- That's a bit on the dear side
- That's a bit pricey.
- That's a bit steep.
- That's a good deal.
- That's a rip-off.
- That's daylight robbery.
- That's exorbitant
- That's quite reasonable.
- They must have seen you coming
- You paid a bit over the odds.
- You're paying through the nose
Common phrases to say when feeling cold weather
- It must be minus five or more.
- It's a bit chilly. Wrap up warm.
- It's a little chilly.
- It's Arctic out there.
- It's below zero.
- It's cold.
- It's freezing outside!
- It's freezing.
- It's pretty frosty today.
- It's quite fresh - take a jumper.
- Make sure to bundle up.
- My car's iced up, it's that cold.
- You can see your breath in the air.
See: 50+ Useful Hotel Phrases to Use
Common phrases to say when feeling hot
- It scorching hot outside.
- It’s absolutely boiling!
- It's a lovely day.
- It's absolutely boiling!
- It's nice and warm today.
- It's nice in the sun.
- It's positively tropical today.
- It's pretty hot, isn't it?
- It's so hot! It must be over 80.
- It's sunny today, isn't it?
- The weather's lovely.
- We're having a heatwave!
Common phrases to say when feeling tired
- (I feel) lousy.
- A bit better.
- A bit rough.
- A bit the worse for wear.
- A little under the weather.
- As well as can be expected.
- Bloody awful.
- I can hardly keep my eyes open.
- I'm beat.
- I'm dead tired.
- I'm exhausted.
- I'm gonna hit the sack.
- Much the same as yesterday.
- Not so great.
- Not too good.
Common phrases when agreeing with people
- Great minds think alike.
- Hear, hear !
- I agree 100%.
- I couldn't agree more.
- I couldn't agree with you more.
- I couldn't have put it better myself.
- I think so too.
- I'd go along with that.
- I'm with you on that one.
- Tell me about it! / You're telling me!
- That's for sure.
- That's so true.
- Yes, absolutely.
- You took the words right out of my mouth.
- You've got a point there.
See: Most Common English Phrases in the World