Here is a list of 25 common English words and phrases which are used daily by English speakers across the world! You are likely to hear these words in everyday conversations and dialogues happening around you in the English language.
The list also includes examples of how to use the 25 English phrases in a sentence and its meaning.
1. Hello
Hello is popularly used as a greeting, you can greet someone by saying “Hello”. You can greet your friends, your family, and your co-workers just by saying this simple phrase “Hello”.
Sentence Use: Hello, how can I help you?
2. Good Morning
Good morning is a greeting that is used in the mornings. You say “Good morning” to wish anyone during the first part of the day (before 12 pm). Good morning is nice and polite, however, you can just say “Morning” to your close friends or close co-workers!
Sentence Use: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!
3. Goodnight
Good night is used to say goodbye to others at night time, especially to your close family and friends. Often parents wish their children “Good night” before putting them to bed. You can say it to a close friend over the phone on through WhatsApp if you have known each other well and have been talking for a while!
Sentence Use: Good night and sweet dreams.
4. Goodbye
You say “Goodbye” when you are leaving your friends or family. You can also say “Bye”, “Take care”, “Have a nice day”!
Sentence Use: It’s not goodbye but see you later.
5. I’m + (Your Name)
This is a way to introduce yourself. You can use this phrase when you meet anyone for the first time.
Sentence Use: Hi, I’m (your name) nice to meet you!
Pro Tip: English is the lingua franca of commerce, diplomacy, and the arts. Every professional, every company, every government in the world uses English as a critical part of their business, and an increasing number of jobs are being created by global companies. Becoming a teacher of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), you know that teaching the English language is very rewarding. However, some people can only start teaching abroad after they learn English themselves.
6. What’s your name?
This is used to ask someone else what their name is. Use this phrase if you are meeting someone for the first time or if you forgot their name (oops!)
Sentence Use: Sorry, what’s your name again?
7. Nice to meet you
You can say this to anyone new you have just met! You can say “it was nice to meet you” or you could say “it was good to meet you” in a casual setting. “Great to meet you” is when you are excited to meet someone! “It was a pleasure to meet you” is in a formal or business setting!
Sentence Use: Hi, nice to meet you! What’s your name?
8. How are you?
“How are you?” is a friendly way of checking in with another person. You can use it with your friends, family, co-workers or even your boss to some extent. You may also hear “How are ya?” or “How are you doing?” which are other variations of the same.
Sentence Use: How are you today?
9. I’m fine, thanks! And you?
When someone asks you “How are you?”, you reply by saying “I’m fine, thanks! And you?”
Sentence Use: I’m fine, thank you. And you?, I’m fine thanks! How are you? or I’m good thanks! And you?
10. Please
Please is a polite phrase that is used when you want something from someone else.
Sentence use: Can I please use your phone to make an urgent call? My phone is out of charge!”
You can also use it as a response when someone offers you something. For example “Would you like to use my phone to make any important calls as your phones our of charge?”
Sentence use: Yes, please! Thank you so much!
11. Thank you
Thank you is used for expressing your appreciation.
Sentence use: I really owe you one. Thank you for staying late today.
12. You’re welcome
When you do a favor or something nice the response is usually a ‘thank you’ or ‘thanks’. To be polite a typical response is ‘you’re welcome’. You may also hear ‘No problem’, ‘No big deal’ or ‘my pleasure’.
Sentence use: You’re most welcome.
13. Yes
Yes is a sign of agreement. A positive expression for an answer. If someone asks you a question and if the answer is a positive answer, you say “Yes!”. You may also hear “Yup”, “Yeah” “Oui”.
Sentence use: Yes, no problem.
14. No
No is a negative response to something. When you have to give a negative answer, you say “No!”. You may also hear “Nope”, “Not really”, “No, I don’t think so” or “Not interested”.
Sentence use: No, thank you.
15. OK
OK is used to agree with somebody else.
Sentence use: OK, I don’t mind doing it your way.
It can also be used in transitioning from one topic to another.
Sentence use: OK, now we are going to talk about…
16. Excuse me
It is used to get someone’s attention when you don’t know the other person.
Sentence use: Excuse me, can you tell me which way to the nearest subway?
If you have done anything rude in public, then you can say “Excuse me!”.
17. I’m sorry
‘I’m sorry’ is used to apologize when you have made a mistake or when someone you know has made a mistake and you are somehow connected to it.
Sentence use: I’m sorry for the inconvenience this caused.
If you feel bad about something that has happened to someone, you can say “I’m sorry”.
18. What time is it?
When you need to check the time with someone, you can use this phrase.
Sentence use: Excuse me but can you tell me what time is it?
It can also be said to yourself, when you have been at a task for hours, you can say “What time is it? as you look at the clock!
19. Where is the + Location?
Where is the… is used for a building or a location like a station. It cannot be used for cities or countries. You can use it to ask important questions.
Sentence use: Where is the bathroom? or Where is the milk section?
However, it wouldn’t be right if you asked “Where is the New York?”, the correct phrase is “Where is New York?”.
20. May I use Your restroom?
May I use the restroom is a polite and soft expression that you can use if you want to use the toilet or the washroom, especially if you are at someone’s home for the first time. You may also hear “May I use your bathroom?” which is more casual.
Sentence use: May I use your restroom, Sara?
21. I would like to order [Something]
You could say this at a restaurant or any other place where you would like to place an order for something.
Sentence use: I would like to order two hotdogs, please.
22. Can I get the check, please?
This is used at a restaurant when you have finished your meal and it is the time to leave.
Sentence use: Excuse me, can I get the check, please? More casually you can just say “Check please!”.
23. See you soon
See you soon is used between friends and family members after saying goodbye and when you expect to see them again. It is usually said just before parting ways and going in separate directions.
Sentence use: I hope to see you soon!
24. See you later…
See you later is similar to see you soon, the only difference is that if you say “See you later”, then you are likely to see the person again the same day, but a little while later.
Sentence use: We are leaving now but see you later.
25. Really?
This word is used when someone says something shocking or a little surprising.
Sentence use: Oh really? She said that!
Continue learning more useful words and phrases with our online English courses. Not sure of your English level? Take a free English level test now.
Andrie Steliou
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