Frequently Used Expressions in English

“Frequently used expressions” refers to commonly used phrases, idioms, sayings, and slang that are a part of everyday English conversation. These expressions can vary depending on the region, culture, and context in which they are used. Examples include “What’s up?”, “How’s it going?”, “Take it easy”, “It’s no big deal”, “Let’s touch base later”.

Here are some commonly used expressions in English:

1. Ways of saying hello

• Formal
  • Good morning.
  • Good afternoon.
  • Good evening.
• Informal
  • Hi.
  • Hello.
  • How do you do?
  • How are things?
  • Nice to see you?

2. Saying goodbye

• Bye.
• Goodbye.
• Bye for now.
• See you. /See ya.
• Be seeing you.
• See you soon.
• I’m off.
• Cheerio!
• Catch you later.
• Good night.

3. Asking about health/life

• Formal
  • How are you?
• Informal
  • How are things?
  • How have you been?

4. Ways to say that you are well

• Formal
  • Very well, thanks.
  • I feel great/fine.
  • Couldn’t be better.
  • Okay.
  • Alright.
  • Not bad.
• Informal
  • So so.
  • Pretty good.

5. Saying you are unwell

• Not too good.
• Not so great.
• A bit rough.
• A bit the worse for wear.
• Much the same as yesterday.
• A bit better.
• As well as can be expected.

6. Asking for help

• Can you give me a hand with this?
• Can you help me, please?
• Can you do me a favor?
• I can’t manage. Can you help?

7. Offering help

• How can I help you?
• What can I do for you?
• Do you need any help with that?

8. Thanking people

• Thank you very much.
• I really appreciate it.
• How thoughtful.
• That’s so kind of you.

9. Apologizing

• Sorry.
• I’m (so/very/terribly) sorry.
• Pardon (me).
• That’s my fault.
• Sorry. It was all my fault.
• Please don’t be mad at me.
• Please accept my/our apologies.
• I’m afraid I will be late.

10. Asking for information

• Can you tell me…?
• I’d like to know…
• Do you know…
• Have you got any ideas?
• Anything else?

11. Delaying answering

• Well, you see…
• Now, let me see.
• Just a moment.
• Just a second.
• Hang on a moment.
• Now, let me think…

12. Avoiding giving information

• No comment.
• Wait and see.
• Let me get back to you.
• I’m sorry, that’s confidential.
• (Sorry,) That’s personal.
• That’s my business.
• I’d rather not talk about it.

13. Saying you don’t know

• Sorry, I don’t know.
• (I’m afraid) I have no idea.
• (Sorry,) I can’t help you there.
• I don’t know anything about…
• I haven’t got a clue.
• Why are you asking me?

14. Asking somebody’s opinion

• What do you think of/about…?
• How do you feel about…?
• What do you think about that?
• What are you views on…?
• What would you say to…/if we…?
• Are you aware of the school regulations/the time?

15. Asking people to wait

• Hang on a moment.
• Give us a second.
• Please wait a moment.
• Just a moment, please.
• I’ll be right with you.
• Please be patient.
• Sorry, I’m bit tied up right now.
• We wish to apologize for the delay to…

16. Advice and suggestions

• Why don’t you…….now?
• If I were you, I’d…..now.
• I suggest you……now.
• My advice is to…….now.
• It might be a good idea to…..
• You should……
• You shouldn’t……

17. Talking about good ideas

• That’s a great idea.
• That’s an idea.
• Good idea!
• What a great idea!
• I think that’s a fantastic idea.
• I like that idea.
• I like the idea of that.
• That’s not a bad idea.
• You know what?
• That’s a good idea.
• Cool!

18. Asking for approval

• Do you think it’s all right to….it?
• What would you say if I…..?
• Do you think anyone would mind if I…..

19. Disagreeing with people

• I’m not sure about that.
• You could be right, but….
• (I’m afraid) I don’t agree.
• I agree up to a point, but….
• That’s an interesting idea, but…
• Do you really think?
• That’s not how I see it.

20. Being sure/certain

• I’m quite sure…
• I’m absolutely positive…
• I’m fairly/quite certain….
• I know…..
• It’s definitely….
• You can be sure…
• I’ve no doubt at all that…

21. Being worried

• I’m (so) worried about…
• I can’t help thinking….
• I can’t stop thinking about it…
• I’ve been worried sick about.
• I’m really nervous.
• I’ve got butterflies in my stomach.

22. Boring

• How boring!
• It bores me to tears.
• It does nothing for me.
• I don’t find it interesting.

23. Disappointment

• What a pity/shame!
• How disappointing!
• That’s too bad.
• That’s (just) so disappointing!
• I was so looking forward to seeing him.
• We had high hopes for your success.

24. Cheering people up

• Cheer up! /Chin up!
• Smile!
• It’s not the end of the world.
• Look on the bright side……
• Practice makes perfect.
• There are plenty more fish in the sea.

25. Encouraging

• Keep up the good work.
• That’s a good effort.
• That’s a real improvement.
• You’re on the right lines.
• Keep going.
• Come on, you can do it.

26. Likes

• I’m big fan of this star.
• I’m absolutely crazy about it.
• I’m really into it in a big way.
• There’s nothing I like more than going swimming.

27. Dislikes

• I’m not too keen on cooking Thai food.
• I’m not a big fan of the Star Contest.
• I can’t work up any enthusiasm for going shopping.
• I’m not particularly fond of playing tennis.

28. Forgetting things

• I’m afraid I can’t remember.
• I’ve completely forgotten.
• My mind’s gone blank.
• Sorry, I forgot.

29. Remembering things

• I’ll remember to call you tomorrow.
• I can clearly remember your telephone number.
• I’ll never forget our good friendship.
• As far as I can remember, he’s a very good father.
• As recall, he’s very smart.
• It’s on the tip of my tongue.

30. Reminding people to do things

• Don’t forget to call me.
• Remember to pick her up after work.
• You won’t forget to do it, will you?
• Can/Could I remind you to come here?
• I hope you haven’t forgotten to tell her.

31. Feeling tired

• I’m tired.
• I’m going to bed.
• Time for bed.
• Bedtime, I think.
• I can’t keep my eyes open.
• I’m shattered.
• I’m exhausted.

32. Excuses for being late

• Sorry – I didn’t hear the alarm clock.
• The alarm didn’t go off.
• I had to wait ages for a bus.
• The bus was late.
• The traffic was terrible.
• Traffic was chock-a-block.

33. Making small talk

• You must be ….
• How’s your wife/friend?
• Nice weather, isn’t it?
• What’s news?
• I haven’t seen you for ages.
• What have you been doing?
• Are you still working for the same firm?
• Have you heard from…recently?
• What a coincidence!
• Fancy meeting you here!

34. Party talk

• You look familiar-have I seen you before?
• Don’t know you?
• Hi, I’m…. What’s your name?
• Haven’t we met before?
• Can I offer you a drink?
• Do you know anyone here?
• You’re a great dancer.
• I like the way you dance.
• Do you come here often?
• Would you like to dance?

35. Phrases you hear at the airport

• What’s the purpose of your trip?
• Did you pack this bag yourself?
• Please do not leave any bags unattended.
• Do you have anything to declare?
• Flight BA333 is now boarding.
• Flight UA666 has been cancelled.
• Flight SA 999 has been delayed.
• Would passenger……..please come to…..
• This is the final call for fight BA111 to Hong Kong.
• …..please make your way to Gate No…….

36. Saying things are good

• That’s/it’s great.
• That’s/it’s fantastic.
• That’s/it’s excellent.
• That’s/it’s not bad.
• I’d recommend it.
• I’m very impressed.
• It’s better than I expected.
• It’s the best I’ve ever seen.

37. Showing concern

• What’s the matter?
• Are you alright?
• What’s getting you down?
• What’s up (with you)?
• Why the long face?
• Is there anything I can do to help?
• You look like you could do with a drink.

38. Expressing surprise

• Really?
• What?
• What a surprise!
• Well I never! /Wow!
• That’s the last thing I expected!
• You’re kidding!
• I don’t believe it!
• Are you serious?
• I’m speechless!

39. Talking about bargains

• It was cheaper than usual.
• It was discounted.
• I got two for the price of one.
• It was on special offer.
• It was reduced by 200 baht.
• It was in the sale.
• I got it half-price.

40. Talking about the weather

• It’s freezing outside!
• It’s a bit chilly. Wrap up warm.
• It’s cold.
• It’s quite cool – take a jumper.
• It’s below zero.
• It’s pretty frosty today.
• It’s windy.
• It’s breezy.
• It’s cloudy.
• It’s sunny.
• It’s very hot today.
• It’s humid.
• It’s rainy/raining.
• It’s foggy.
• It’s drizzling.

41. Wanting things

• I’d really like to take you out to dinner/to finish this job by the end of the day.
• I’d love to open my own restaurant someday.
• I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea/ a foot massage/ a rest.
• I could use a bit of help.
• All (that) we need is a vase of flowers.

You may also like:

• The Seven Types of Pronouns and Their Uses
• 200 Essential Questions for Practicing One-Word Prepositions (With Answers)
• Understanding Nouns – The Five Types and Their Uses
• Top 9 Essential Tips To Help You Speak Clearly and Confidently
• Commonly Confused Words – A Guide to Clarifying Misused Terms
• Similar Words with Different Meanings – A Guide to Avoiding Common Confusion
• Learning French Nouns in Foreign Language Training
• How to Understand Basic Spanish – A Beginner’s Guide
• An Idiomatic Approach to Workplace Language – Solve the Exercise
• Mastering Prepositions – Practical Sentence Completion Exercise