Everyday expressions used in English with examples

An in-depth English lesson covering over 101 common everyday expressions with detailed meanings and examples, designed for ESL learners.

Understanding Common Everyday Expressions: Meanings and Examples

Introduction:

Mastering everyday expressions is crucial for anyone learning English as a second language (ESL). This lesson delves into over 101 common expressions used in daily conversations, providing their meanings and examples of how to use them. By the end of this lesson, learners will have a robust understanding of these phrases and how to incorporate them into their daily speech.

In this lesson, we will explore expressions like "Believe me," "Call me back," and "As soon as possible." Each phrase will be explained in detail, ensuring you know how and when to use it. Whether you're a beginner or looking to polish your conversational skills, this guide will be an invaluable resource.

Useful Vocabulary for Common Everyday Expressions includes phrases you'll encounter in various contexts, from casual chats with friends to more formal interactions. This lesson aims to build your confidence and fluency in English by familiarising you with essential conversational tools.

Common Everyday Expressions in English: Essential Phrases for ESL Learners

1. Believe me.

Meaning: Trust that what I am saying is true.
Example: "Believe me, you don't want to miss this event."

2. Call me back.

Meaning: Return my phone call.
Example: "Please call me back when you get this message."

3. As soon as possible.

Meaning: Do it at the earliest opportunity.
Example: "Send me the report as soon as possible."

4. Give me a hand.

Meaning: Help me.
Example: "Can you give me a hand with these boxes?"

5. I do not understand.

Meaning: I cannot comprehend what is being said.
Example: "I'm sorry, I do not understand."

6. I do not mean it.

Meaning: I did not intend to say or do something hurtful.
Example: "I'm sorry, I did not mean it."

7. How much is it?

Meaning: Asking for the price of something.
Example: "How much is it for a ticket?"

8. How old are you?

Meaning: Asking someone their age.
Example: "How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

9. How was your weekend?

Meaning: Asking about someone's weekend.
Example: "How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?"

10. What did you say?

Meaning: Asking someone to repeat what they just said.
Example: "What did you say? I didn't hear you."

11. What do you need?

Meaning: Asking what someone requires.
Example: "What do you need from the store?"

12. What do you think?

Meaning: Asking for someone's opinion.
Example: "What do you think about this idea?"

13. What do you want to do?

Meaning: Asking about someone's preferences for an activity.
Example: "What do you want to do this weekend?"

14. What do you want?

Meaning: Asking someone what they desire.
Example: "What do you want for your birthday?"

15. What's the weather like?

Meaning: Asking about the weather conditions.
Example: "What's the weather like today?"

16. Where are you going?

Meaning: Asking about someone's destination.
Example: "Where are you going this evening?"

17. Is all good?

Meaning: Asking if everything is okay.
Example: "Is all good with your work?"

18. Is everything OK?

Meaning: Checking if everything is alright.
Example: "Is everything OK with the project?"

19. What are you doing?

Meaning: Asking someone about their current activity.
Example: "What are you doing this afternoon?"

20. Absolutely not.

Meaning: Strongly declining something.
Example: "Would you like to go skydiving? Absolutely not."

21. I have no idea.

Meaning: Expressing lack of knowledge about something.
Example: "I have no idea how to solve this problem."

22. I agree.

Meaning: Expressing agreement with someone.
Example: "I agree with your point."

23. I'm at home.

Meaning: Indicating one's presence at home.
Example: "I'm at home, just relaxing."

24. It's on the tip of my tongue.

Meaning: Almost remembering something but not quite.
Example: "Her name is on the tip of my tongue."

25. It's okay.

Meaning: Reassuring someone that everything is fine.
Example: "It's okay, don't worry about it."

26. It really takes time.

Meaning: Something requires a lot of time.
Example: "Learning a new language really takes time."

27. It's for the best.

Meaning: A situation is ultimately beneficial.
Example: "I know it's tough, but it's for the best."

28. No, I don't want.

Meaning: Declining an offer.
Example: "No, I don't want any more food."

29. See you.

Meaning: A casual farewell.
Example: "See you later."

30. See you next time.

Meaning: Saying goodbye with the expectation of meeting again.
Example: "See you next time we meet."

31. So I do.

Meaning: Expressing that one also shares the same feeling or action.
Example: "I enjoy reading books. So I do."

32. I decline!

Meaning: Formally refusing something.
Example: "I decline the invitation."

33. What's your email address?

Meaning: Asking for someone's email address.
Example: "Can you tell me what's your email address?"

34. What is your job?

Meaning: Asking about someone's occupation.
Example: "What is your job? I'm a teacher."

35. What's your name?

Meaning: Asking for someone's name.
Example: "What's your name? My name is John."

36. What's your phone number?

Meaning: Asking for someone's phone number.
Example: "What's your phone number? I need to call you."

37. What is going on?

Meaning: Asking about the current situation.
Example: "What is going on here?"

38. When is the train leaving?

Meaning: Asking about the departure time of a train.
Example: "When is the train leaving?"

39. How can I go to the town centre?

Meaning: Asking for directions to the town centre.
Example: "How can I go to the town centre?"

40. Where are you from?

Meaning: Asking about someone's place of origin.
Example: "Where are you from? I'm from London."

41. I just made it.

Meaning: Accomplishing something just in time.
Example: "I just made it to the bus."

42. Enjoy yourself.

Meaning: Encouraging someone to have a good time.
Example: "Enjoy yourself at the party!"

43. Follow me.

Meaning: Instructing someone to go after you.
Example: "Follow me to the conference room."

44. God bless you.

Meaning: A phrase used to wish someone well.
Example: "God bless you for your kindness."

45. It's very thoughtful of you.

Meaning: Acknowledging someone's considerate action.
Example: "It's very thoughtful of you to bring flowers."

46. Do you need any help?

Meaning: Offering assistance to someone.
Example: "Do you need any help with your homework?"

47. How are you feeling?

Meaning: Asking about someone's emotional or physical state.
Example: "How are you feeling after the surgery?"

48. Can you help me?

Meaning: Requesting assistance from someone.
Example: "Can you help me carry these bags?"

49. I don't think so.

Meaning: Politely disagreeing or expressing doubt.
Example: "Will it rain today? I don't think so."

50. I'm sorry.

Meaning: Apologising for a mistake or wrongdoing.
Example: "I'm sorry for being late."

51. Thank you.

Meaning: Expressing gratitude.
Example: "Thank you for your help."

52. You're welcome.

Meaning: Responding to thanks.
Example: "You're welcome, it was no trouble."

53. Excuse me.

Meaning: Politely getting someone's attention or apologising for a minor inconvenience.
Example: "Excuse me, do you have the time?"

54. What time is it?

Meaning: Asking for the current time.
Example: "What time is it? I have an appointment at 3 PM."

55. Can you repeat that?

Meaning: Asking someone to say something again.
Example: "I didn't catch that, can you repeat that?"

56. I'm learning English.

Meaning: Informing someone about your language learning efforts.
Example: "I'm learning English and trying to improve my skills."

57. That's interesting.

Meaning: Showing interest in what someone is saying.
Example: "That's interesting, tell me more about it."

58. Please speak slowly.

Meaning: Requesting someone to slow down their speech.
Example: "Can you please speak slowly? I'm still learning."

59. I don't understand.

Meaning: Expressing confusion or lack of comprehension.
Example: "I'm sorry, I don't understand this question."

60. How do you spell that?

Meaning: Asking for the correct spelling of a word.
Example: "How do you spell that word?"

61. What's the meaning of this word?

Meaning: Asking for the definition of a word.
Example: "What's the meaning of this word?"

62. I'm lost.

Meaning: Indicating that you don't know where you are or how to get somewhere.
Example: "I'm lost, can you help me find the way?"

63. Can I ask you something?

Meaning: Requesting permission to ask a question.
Example: "Can I ask you something about this topic?"

64. What does this mean?

Meaning: Asking for clarification or explanation.
Example: "What does this mean in English?"

65. Can you write it down?

Meaning: Asking someone to write something for you.
Example: "Can you write it down so I can remember?"

66. Let's go.

Meaning: Suggesting to move or leave.
Example: "Let's go to the park."

67. I love this.

Meaning: Expressing strong liking or affection.
Example: "I love this song, it's my favourite."

68. I need to go.

Meaning: Indicating the necessity to leave.
Example: "I need to go now, I have a meeting."

69. What did you do?

Meaning: Asking about someone's actions.
Example: "What did you do over the weekend?"

70. I'm hungry.

Meaning: Indicating a need for food.
Example: "I'm hungry, let's grab something to eat."

71. I'm tired.

Meaning: Expressing fatigue.
Example: "I'm tired, I need to rest."

72. That's funny.

Meaning: Reacting to something humorous.
Example: "That's funny, I can't stop laughing."

73. I'm bored.

Meaning: Indicating lack of interest or excitement.
Example: "I'm bored, let's do something fun."

74. That's amazing.

Meaning: Showing admiration or surprise.
Example: "That's amazing, I can't believe you did that."

75. Good luck.

Meaning: Wishing someone success.
Example: "Good luck with your exam."

76. Take care.

Meaning: A farewell wishing someone well.
Example: "Take care, see you soon."

77. I'm excited.

Meaning: Expressing anticipation or enthusiasm.
Example: "I'm excited about the trip."

78. I don't care.

Meaning: Indicating lack of interest or concern.
Example: "I don't care what we do today."

79. Let's start.

Meaning: Initiating an activity.
Example: "Let's start the meeting."

80. That's all.

Meaning: Indicating that there is nothing more to say or add.
Example: "That's all I have to say."

81. I'm ready.

Meaning: Indicating preparedness.
Example: "I'm ready to go."

82. Be careful.

Meaning: Advising caution.
Example: "Be careful with that knife."

83. Let's try.

Meaning: Encouraging an attempt.
Example: "Let's try to solve this puzzle."

84. That's true.

Meaning: Agreeing with a statement.
Example: "That's true, I didn't think of it that way."

85. I'm sorry to hear that.

Meaning: Expressing sympathy.
Example: "I'm sorry to hear that you lost your job."

86. That's not fair.

Meaning: Indicating something is unjust.
Example: "That's not fair, you promised we could go."

87. It's too late.

Meaning: Indicating that the opportunity has passed.
Example: "It's too late to change our plans now."

88. Let's go shopping.

Meaning: Suggesting a shopping trip.
Example: "Let's go shopping this weekend."

89. I'm not sure.

Meaning: Expressing uncertainty.
Example: "I'm not sure if I can make it."

90. I can't wait.

Meaning: Expressing eager anticipation.
Example: "I can't wait for the holidays."

91. That's right.

Meaning: Confirming accuracy.
Example: "That's right, you got it correct."

92. I hope so.

Meaning: Expressing a wish for something to happen.
Example: "I hope so, I really want to pass the test."

93. What's new?

Meaning: Asking for recent news or updates.
Example: "What's new with you?"

94. I'm proud of you.

Meaning: Expressing pride in someone's achievement.
Example: "I'm proud of you for graduating."

95. Let's celebrate.

Meaning: Suggesting a celebration.
Example: "Let's celebrate your promotion."

96. That's interesting.

Meaning: Showing interest in what someone is saying.
Example: "That's interesting, tell me more about it."

97. I don't think so.

Meaning: Politely disagreeing or expressing doubt.
Example: "Will it rain today? I don't think so."

98. I'm sorry.

Meaning: Apologising for a mistake or wrongdoing.
Example: "I'm sorry for being late."

99. Thank you.

Meaning: Expressing gratitude.
Example: "Thank you for your help."

100. You're welcome.

Meaning: Responding to thanks.
Example: "You're welcome, it was no trouble."

101. Excuse me.

Meaning: Politely getting someone's attention or apologising for a minor inconvenience.
Example: "Excuse me, do you have the time?"

102. What time is it?

Meaning: Asking for the current time.
Example: "What time is it? I have an appointment at 3 PM."

103. Can you repeat that?

Meaning: Asking someone to say something again.
Example: "I didn't catch that, can you repeat that?"

104. I'm learning English.

Meaning: Informing someone about your language learning efforts.
Example: "I'm learning English and trying to improve my skills."

105. That's amazing.

Meaning: Showing admiration or surprise.
Example: "That's amazing, I can't believe you did that."

Summary and Takeaways:

Lesson Overview: This lesson covered over 101 common everyday English expressions, providing detailed meanings and examples to help ESL learners incorporate them into their daily conversations.

Key Phrases Learnt: Learners have been introduced to essential phrases such as "Believe me," "Call me back," "As soon as possible," and many more. These expressions are vital for effective communication in various contexts.

Practice Exercises: To reinforce learning, students can practice by creating their own sentences using each expression. Additionally, engaging in conversations with peers or native speakers can enhance their understanding and usage.

Tips for Remembering: Remembering these expressions can be facilitated by using them in daily conversations, making flashcards for review, and associating each phrase with a specific situation or visual cue.

Further Lessons: For further learning, explore other lessons on our website that cover advanced expressions, idioms, and phrases. Continuous practice and exposure to English in real-life situations will enhance fluency.

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