Phrases for conversations in English
1. How to offer/refuse
- Would you like a Coke? - Yes, I'd love to.
- Yes, please.
- No, thank you.
2. Understanding
- I didn't quite get that.
- Sorry!
- Can you repeat that, please?
- I didn't understand you.
3. How to ask/argue
- Are you saying that ...?
- Can you explain that?
- Sorry to interrupt you, ... I actually wanted to say that ...
- Well, ... I don't think so.
- I'm sure that ...
- There's nothing more to say.
- Obviously I don't need to say that ...
4. General phrases
- Besides ...
- It doesn't matter.
- Don't mention it.
- I must apologize for being so late.
- Sorry, I'm late.
Calling/phoning other people
- Who is this, please?
- This is ... ... speaking.
- Is...(name)...there?
- Pick up the phone?
- I'll phone/call back later.
- I've got the wrong number.
- Please leave a message after the beep.
- Can I take a message?
- Can I speak to ..., please?
- Just a moment, please.
- I'll ring you at about ...
- Thank you for calling/ringing.
- I must hang up now.
- I can't get through.
- The line's busy.
- There is no reply.
- This is a bad connection.
- Can I use my cell phone/mobile?
Free time/ For fun/ Hobbies
- My favourite hobby is playing snooker.
- I like listening to pop-music.
- At weekends, I sometimes go to a disco or to the cinema/movies.
- I listen to bands like ...
- I'm interested in punk rock.
- While listening to hard-rock I can get everything off my chest.
- In summer, I like to go swimming.
- In winter, I go skiing.
- I like visiting friends and talking about this and that.
- My friend and I do lots of jigsaw puzzles.
- Playing soccer/football is fun.
- One of my hobbies is writing letters to my pen-friends.
- Sometimes I read so much that I forget the housework.
- When the weather is bad, I read books or watch TV.
- I enjoy working on the computer.
- Once a week I do some volleyball practice.
- I go training/jogging every evening.
- When it's not so hot, I go bicycling.
- When I am on holidays I like walking in the mountains.
- On Saturdays, I have to cook for my family.
- I pick my cousin up at the kindergarten.
- Now and then I do babysitting.
School life
- I'm sorry, I couldn't write earlier because I was ill.
- Thanks for the letter and the wonderful photos of your hometown.
- It was interesting to hear about school life in Britain.
- I attend the "name of the school".
- It's a "type of school".
- How much homework do you get every day?
- In your letter you asked me to tell you something about schools in Saxony.
- There are 15 boys and 12 girls in my class.
- My friends and I don't get very good marks.
- We like jokes better than school.
- I studied for the English test all evening.
- How are you and how are you enjoying your job?
- Tell me about your working hours, your pay and your holidays.
- I'm going to start an apprenticeship as a mechanic on August 1st.
- It's very difficult to get an interesting job here.
- In September I have to start work.
- I have made up my mind to become a nurse.
- I can write good stories when I feel like it.
- I don't like school very much.
- I'm planning to visit Wales next year.
- Now I have to finish this letter.
- The sun is shining and therefore we want to go swimming.
- I'm looking forward to getting your letter.
Meeting people
1. Greetings
- Welcome to Las Vegas.
- Good morning/afternoon/evening.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- Goodbye.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye.
- See you.
- Cheers.
- Say hello to Peter from me.
- Please, give/send my love to Peter.
2. Asking
- Pardon?
- Excuse me?
- How do you do?
- How are you?
- How are you doing?
- How's it going?
- What's up?
- Not much!
- I'm ok!
- I'm fine, thanks.
- Not too bad.
3. Introducing
- I'd like you to meet Peter.
- May I introduce you to Peter?
- May I introduce Peter to you?
4. Wishes, Thanks, Offers
- Lovely day today, isn't it?
- Excuse me, ...
- What's the matter?
- Good luck!
- Congratulations.
- Many happy returns of the day.
- Happy birthday!
- Bless you!
- Get well soon!
- Could you do me a favour?
- May I offer you a drink?
- Are you sure you wouldn't like to come in?
- Thank you very much! Thank you. Many thanks. Thanks a lot. - You're welcome.
- Would you excuse me, please?
- It doesn't matter.
- Sorry to hear that.
At a restaurant (guest – waiter)
1. The guest
- A table for two, please.
- May we sit at this table?
- The menu, please.
- What's on the menu?
- What's Irish Stew like?
- We're not ready yet.
- The steak for me, please.
- Can you bring me the ketchup, please?
- A salad, please.
- I'll have the same.
- That's all, thank you.
- Can I have the bill (AE: check), please?
- This is on me.
- Here you are.
- The rest is for you.
- Do you have wine by the glass?
- I'd prefer red wine.
- Please bring us another beer.
- Could I have chips (AE: French Fries) instead of salad?
- What can you recommend?
- Please bring me the bill (AE: check) with my coffee.
- I think you've made a mistake.
2. The waiter
- Hi, I'm Sue, I'll be your server for tonight.
- What can I do for you?
- Can I help you?
- Can I take your coat?
- Have you booked a table?
- How many are you?
- Would you follow me, please?
- Can I take your order, sir/madam?
- What would you like to start with?
- What would you like to drink?
- What would you like for dessert?
- How would you like your steak? (rare, medium, well done)
- Do you want a salad with it?
- What kind of dressing?
- Anything to drink?
- Do you want a dessert?
- The burgers are very good.
- Sorry, the hamburgers are off.
- Is everything all right?
- Did you enjoy your meal?
- Are you paying together?
- May I show you to a table?
- If you wait, there'll be a table for you free in a minute.
- Do you want vegetables with it?
- Why don't you try the pizza?
- It'll take about 20 minutes.
Asking for information
- Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the station, please?
- Excuse me, I'm looking for the town hall.
- How far is it from the church to the station?
- Is it far from the church to the station?
- It takes about 10 minutes by bus.
- It's a 10-minute walk.
- The church is within walking distance.
- What's the best way to the station?
- Where is the nearest bus stop?
- Where is the next bus stop? – (You are on the bus.)
- You can't miss it.
- See you.
At a hotel (guest – receptionist)
1. The guest
- Have you got a single room for tonight?
- I'd like to stay in a double room.
- Do all the rooms have air-conditioning?
- Is breakfast included?
- When do you serve breakfast?
- Could you give me a call at 7 tomorrow morning, please?
- I'd like to pay in cash/by credit card.
2. The receptionist
- Hello, can I help you?
- Would you like a room with a bath or a shower?
- How long would you like to stay at our hotel?
- How would you like to pay?
- Your room is on the second floor on the right.
- Sorry, we're fully booked for tonight.
- Sorry, we are full up.
- Is there anything else I can do for you?
