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Absolutely not. Are you coming with me? Are you sure? Are we almost there? As soon as possible. Believe me. Buy it! Call me tomorrow. Can you speak slowly? Come with me. Congratulations. Do it right! Do you mean it? Do you see him often? Do you understand? Do you want it? Do you want something? Don’t do it. Don’t exaggerate. exaggerate. Don’t tell me that. Give me a hand. Go right ahead. Have a good trip. Have a nice day. Have another one. Have you finished? finished ? He doesn’t have time. He is on his way. How are you doing? How long are you staying? How much? I am crazy about her. I am wasting my time. I can do it. I can’t believe it. I can’t wait. I don’t have time. I don’t know anybody. I don’t like it. I don’t think so. I feel much better. I found it.
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I hate you! I hope so. I knew it. I love you. I noticed that. I see. I think so. I want to speak with him. I won. I would like a cup of coffee, please. I’m hungry. I’m leaving. I’m sorry. I’m used to it. I’ll miss you. I’ll try. I’m bored. I’m busy. I’m having fun. I’m ready. I’ve got it. It’s incredible! Is it far? It doesn’t matter. It smells good. It’s about time. It’s all right. It’s easy. It’s good. It’s near here. It’s nothing. It’s time to go. It’s different. It’s funny. It’s impossible. It’s not bad. It’s not difficult. It’s not worth it. It’s obvious. It’s the same thing. It’s your turn. Me too.
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Not yet. Relax! See you tomorrow. She is my best friend. She is so smart. Slow down! Tell me. Thank you very much. That happens. That’s enough. That’s interesting. That’s right. That’s true. There are too many people here. They like each other. Think about it. Too bad! Wait for me. What did you say? What do you think? What is he talking about? What terrible weather! What’s going on/ happening / the problem? What’s the date today? Where are you going? Where is he? You are impatient. You look tired. You surprise me. You’re crazy. You’re welcome. You’re always right. You’re in a bad mood. You’re lying. You’re wrong.
120 Wow!
Introductions I’m so pleased to meet you – have have you just been introduced to a new person and you want to tell them how nice it is meeting them? Well, this is just the right phrase to use on such an occasion! I’ve heard so much about you – in case the person you’re being introduced to is well known, known, this is just the right English small talk phrase to tell them during the introduction! It’s good to have you here! – sometimes you may want to make the new person feel welcome at the party or event, so this is what you tell them to make them feel included. I’d like you to meet someone! – this is a typical way of introducing a new person to one or more people. I am indeed! And you must be… – when someone else approaches you and calls you by your name, and you’re pretty sure who that person is, this is the right English small talk phrase to use: “Hello, is it Mark?” – “I – “I am indeed! And you must be James!?” I’ll leave you two to get acquainted! – if you have to leave two people you just introduced to each other, this is the perfect phrase for such a situation. Please, call me… – a few minutes into the conversation with a new person you may want to lighten up the mood by giving the other person a permission to call you by your name or a more friendly version of your name: “And by the way Michael…” – “Please, – “Please, call me Mike!” I almost didn’t recognize you! – sometimes we get to see people we haven’t seen for a long, long time – and this English small talk phrase is the typical way of ex pressing your excitement at seeing them again. Have we met before? – before? – in case you you really don’t recognize the person saying hello to you, you can use this phrase to ask them if you’ve met before. Yes, it’s a bit awkward, but there’s really no better way of putting it!
this is how you recognize the presence of an old friend or acquaintance when you It’s good to see you again! – this meet them after a while. TAKE ACTION! Are you willing to start working on your spoken English but you just don’t know where to start? START HERE!
Conversation Starters & Greetings (UPDATED!) NEW! What you been up to lately? – this this is a great English small talk phrase used to inquire what the other person has been doing lately. You’ll probably notice that there’s something wrong with the way the sent sentence ence is constructed – constructed – it it should really say “What HAVE you been up to lately?” – but but guess what? It’s typical to leave out words in spoken English, and as a matter of fact, when you speak in real life, this phrase sounds more like “Watch you bin up to lately?” Try it – and – and you’ll realize that you sound WAY MORE native-like native-like this way! By the way – way – are are you interested in sounding like a native English speaker? Then check out the Accent Genie Program HERE!
Introductions I’m so pleased to meet you – have have you just been introduced to a new person and you want to tell them how nice it is meeting them? Well, this is just the right phrase to use on such an occasion! I’ve heard so much about you – in case the person you’re being introduced to is well known, known, this is just the right English small talk phrase to tell them during the introduction! It’s good to have you here! – sometimes you may want to make the new person feel welcome at the party or event, so this is what you tell them to make them feel included. I’d like you to meet someone! – this is a typical way of introducing a new person to one or more people. I am indeed! And you must be… – when someone else approaches you and calls you by your name, and you’re pretty sure who that person is, this is the right English small talk phrase to use: “Hello, is it Mark?” – “I – “I am indeed! And you must be James!?” I’ll leave you two to get acquainted! – if you have to leave two people you just introduced to each other, this is the perfect phrase for such a situation. Please, call me… – a few minutes into the conversation with a new person you may want to lighten up the mood by giving the other person a permission to call you by your name or a more friendly version of your name: “And by the way Michael…” – “Please, – “Please, call me Mike!” I almost didn’t recognize you! – sometimes we get to see people we haven’t seen for a long, long time – and this English small talk phrase is the typical way of ex pressing your excitement at seeing them again. Have we met before? – before? – in case you you really don’t recognize the person saying hello to you, you can use this phrase to ask them if you’ve met before. Yes, it’s a bit awkward, but there’s really no better way of putting it!
this is how you recognize the presence of an old friend or acquaintance when you It’s good to see you again! – this meet them after a while. TAKE ACTION! Are you willing to start working on your spoken English but you just don’t know where to start? START HERE!
Conversation Starters & Greetings (UPDATED!) NEW! What you been up to lately? – this this is a great English small talk phrase used to inquire what the other person has been doing lately. You’ll probably notice that there’s something wrong with the way the sent sentence ence is constructed – constructed – it it should really say “What HAVE you been up to lately?” – but but guess what? It’s typical to leave out words in spoken English, and as a matter of fact, when you speak in real life, this phrase sounds more like “Watch you bin up to lately?” Try it – and – and you’ll realize that you sound WAY MORE native-like native-like this way! By the way – way – are are you interested in sounding like a native English speaker? Then check out the Accent Genie Program HERE!
just another way of saying ‘how are you?’ How are you getting on? – just
You doing OK? – asked asked when the person has had some tough experience recently and you want to ask politely if they’re OK. Hi, …! What’s new? – this this is a very informal way of greeting a close friend or anyone who you see on a regular basis and you want to ask has anything happened since you last met. Hi, …! What’s up? – the – the same as above with a difference that you’re probably not that interested interested in what news the other person might have. Hi, …! Long time no see! – used – used when you haven’t seen the person for a long period of time and you want to state that fact in the greeting. Hi, …! Have you been keeping busy? – just just a standard enquiry with little or no direct me aning. Do you mind me asking…? – a a typical way of asking something that th at might be a slightly personal question.
OK, here’s the thing … – a – a very handy way to start making your point if you’re not sure how to begin the sentence. Is everything OK? – this – this is what you’d say to a person when you see that they’re distressed and obviously not OK. Normally you’d ask this to a close friend or a work colleague – but but you can also say sa y this to a stranger you meet in the street and if it’s obvious that that person that person needs help. ENTERTAINMENT : Take a couple minutes to to this test and see how English vocabulary can be learnt ENTERTAINMENT: the super-easy way!
Typical Responses (UPDATED!) – the verb “to catch” in this context means “to understand”, so this English NEW! Sorry, I didn’t catch that? – the small talk response phrase means “Sorry, I didn’t understand what you just said?” – it’s – it’s just that in conversational English we use these type of slang words to make it sound friendlier and easier to understand! NEW! Help yourself! – this – this English small talk phrase is one of the traditional phrases you’ll find in all English phrase- books, books, and it’s an encouraging phrase used to let the other person know that they can can go ahead with the action in question. Typically this is used as a response when the other person is asking for permission to take something, and then you tell them that they can certainly do it: “Sorry, do you mind if I take this cookie? Everyone seems to have taken theirs…” – “Sure, – “Sure, help yourself!” NEW! Where were we? – imagine – imagine a situation when you’re speaking with someone, and then somehow you’re getting side-tracked and you veer off the original subject, or it could be that tha t some other person distracts you and you forget where you left off. Now, this is the typical phrase to be used in situations s ituations like these – these – you’re you’re basically asking your conversation partner what it was that you were talking about last.
– let’s say for argument’s sake, you’re proposing something to your NEW! How’s that sound for you? – let’s conversation partner. Well, in this case this small talk phrase is ideal to ask for their opinion on your proposal! Here’s an example: “Listen, I know what we’re doing tonight. Let’s go to the movies, there’ s a new blockbuster out! How’s that sound for you?” NEW! …if that’s alright with you? – you you can attach this small talk bit at the end of your sentence to ask for the other person’s permission. Let’s imagine for a second you’re telling you’re telling your work colleague you have to leave your desk for a few minutes, but you just want to be sure he’s OK with that. So here’s what you say “Listen Jimmy, I’m gonna leave my desk for a few minutes to make a really important phone call if that’s alright with you?” Thanks, I’ve been b een keeping busy – just just a standard response to a standard greeting with little or no direct meaning.
Thanks for asking, I’m fine, how are you? – a a typical response and counter-question coun ter-question to a greeting phrase ‘how are you?’ Hi, how are you doing? It’s good to see you! – a – a typical response to a greeting from someone you haven’t seen for a while. Can’t complain – a – a response to a standard greeting like ‘How are you?’ It’s not as exciting phrase as ‘Thanks, I’m great!’ but it doesn’t mean you’re having some problems problems in your life. Can you say it again, please? – a – a request to repeat the question if you didn’t understand what was said. This can also be used when the native speaking person speaks a bit too fast – fast – they they should get the hint and slow down a bit. But if they they don’t, you can ask a more direct question: Can you slow it down a bit, please?
– a typical response when you’re not sure what wh at to ask next so you’re asking the other And how about you? – a person the same think they asked you. You can respond with this counter-greeting on nearly all standard greetings. – when you’re 99% sure about the statement you’re making. Also a good start To the best of my knowledge … – when of a response you want to take a bit more time to consider co nsider what you’re going to say. the same as above. As far as I know … – the a response to someone telling you about their success in something or some good news that Good for you! – a they’re happy about. used when you agree with the statement of the other person. Can’t argue with that – used a counter-question you can ask when someone surprises you with a question about How do you know? – a something they’re not really expected to know. a surprise response to funny or surprising news from your chat p artner. That’s a good one! – a
Really? Tell me more about it! – used used when you want your chat partner to tell me about what he/she just said.
just a way to start your response. It It indicates that you’re about to open up and be very Frankly speaking, … – just honest with your chat partner. A great wa y of establishing an immediate trust. the same as above. Well, to be honest with you, … – the – a typical response to a small request you’re happy to do. This one is especially used when Sure, no problem! – a responding to superiors’ requests and it sounds more enthusiastic than if you simply say ‘sure’ or ‘OK’. – this phrase is used when the person offers to do a favour for you but it’s not really Never mind, it’s fine! fi ne! – this necessary. – this phrase is to be used when you said something that wasn’t important Never mind, forget what I just said – this at all but your chat partner wants you to repeat it. You can also use this phrase if you feel that he/she might be slightly annoyed or offended by your question or comment so you want to end it there. You got me there – this – this can be said instead of ‘I don’t’ do n’t’ know’ – it it will sound more casual and not as defensive as the old ‘I don’t know’! You’ve got to be kidding me! – said said when someone tells you something that borders on the unbelievable and you want to express your surprise. That’s a good question. – a a phrase used when you want to take your time to think over the question. This is an ideal phrase to use when you’re stuck but instead of remaining silent you can start your response with this phrase. Well, how to put it in the right words … – the the same as above. That’d be great! – a a response to an offer that you’re really happy about. … you know what I mean? – this this is quite an overused phrase but b ut you can definitely use it at the end of a sentence if you want to emphasize what you just said. You see, the thing is that … – this this is how you begin a sentence when when you’re asked to explain something. SHOCKING! Did You Know That You Don’t Have to Know a SINGLE Grammar Rule to Speak Fluent English?
Industry Small-talk (UPDATED!) NEW! (Company name), (Your Name) speaking, how can I help you? – if you’re working in a company’s helpdesk answering phone, this is the most common line you’ll be using in your daily work! So basically you substitute information in the brackets with your own credentials, something like this: “ABC Recruitment, Marie speaking, how can I help you?” NEW! Sorry for keeping you waiting! – and this is what you say to someone who’s been waiting for a while on the line while you’ve been trying to get through to the right person. NEW! I’ll be with you in a minute… – this English small talk phrase will come in hand y if you’re working as a receptionist, for example, and you have to leave the client for a short period of time while you’re looking up relevant information in another room or finding the right person to deal with the client’s query. NEW! Just bear with me for a moment… – this is just another way of telling the client that you’ll be with them in a short while. In this context to “bear with me” simply means to be patient with the fact that I’ll be gone, simple as that! NEW! Leave it with me! – if you want to tell the customer that they can leave the matters with you and that you’re going to deal with the issue, this is the right English small talk phrase to use.
Another day! – this is just a short phrase you can use to start your working day with. It doesn’t necessarily mean your job is boring; it merely states the fact that you all have a brand new working day ahead.
Nose to the grindstone! – this one is a typical English idiom, and it means to start working hard and be 100% focused on what you’re doing. Typically you’d use this one at the end of a conversation as a way of indicating you’re going back to your work -related duties. How was your weekend? – you can use this small-talk greeting to inquire about the person’s weekend and it’s a typical small-talk phrase you’d hear on a Monday morning. Anything new going on? – again, a typical phrase to be used when coming into work – especially after a weekend or a few days off. The boss is in a mood… – you can use this small-talk phrase to let your colleagues know your boss is in a bad mood and it’s best to steer clear to avoid trouble. Please note you don’t even have to say “in a BAD mood”; the word “mood” says it all just on its own. All work and no play! – this is another English idiom and you can use it when having a conversation about going out and taking some rest. Here’s a typical sentence: “Hey Jim, why not go out tonight, we’ve been working so hard – all work and no play!” Better keep the head down today – this English idiomatic expression comes in handy when you need to advise someone to stay quiet and avoid problems. Maybe it’s because that person’s been ou t drinking the night before, maybe it’s because they’ve been giving others hard time and the boss is after them – there are many situations when this small-talk phrase can be used! Thank heavens it’s Friday – quite obviously you’ll be using this English small talk phrase when greeting your work colleagues on a Friday morning – as we all know, Fridays are the most awaited days of the week, and everybody’s looking forward to the weekend ahead!
You working the weekend? – in case you’re doing shift work, this is a hand y phrase to use when asking your colleague if she or he is going to work during the weekend. Are you working hours in? – let’s say, for argument’s sake, you notice someone sta ying at work longer than normally, so you want to inquire for the reason they’re doing this. Your best guess is that the pe rson in question has taken some extra time off work, so you want to ask them if the y’re working those hours in now. Well, this is the perfect phrase for the occasion!
I’m tired – I got no sleep last night – I guess this phrase is pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? Had a few drinks so I’m flying under the radar! – if you went out the night before, it’s totally understandable you’ll want to stay put and keep a low profile in case someone from the management realizes you’re not fully
capable of fulfilling your work related duties! Can you cover me? – this is a typical way of asking someone if they can work in your place while you’re taking a couple of hours off work to deal with your personal stuff. It’s so boring! – this is quite a self-explanatory phrase to be used whenever you’re bored. It can be used as a handy conversation starter if there’s another person nearby doing the same job – if they also look bored you can simply exclaim “It’s so boring!” and see if they respond to that. Wish I had her job! – if someone else’s job looks better than yours, you can use this English small talk phrase to either start a conversation or respond to someone else making a remark about how easy it is for that person compared to the situation that you’re in. We’re not paid enough! – if you think you’re not remunerated adequately (show me an employee who thinks he’s getting paid enough!), here’s a phrase to b e used when you’re having a small talk with some colleague of yours and you have to express your opinion in relation to the small wages. That’s one job I wouldn’t do! – this is how you refer to a job you definitely wouldn’t be willing to do no matter who asks you to do it. But then again – everything has a price, isn’t that right? That’s a cushy number! – English idiomatic expression “cushy number” means a very comfortable and easy job. So when you’re seeing someone sitting around all day doing nothing, you can tell your friend “That’s a cushy number!” meaning that the job in question is really easy. I don’t know how he got that job! – there’s always someone in the company who doesn’t know what they’re doing and you often wonder how they got the job in the first place, right? So, next time around when you make a comment about such a person when having a small talk with someone, you can use this phrase. INTERESTING! Find Out Why So Many Foreigners CA N’T Speak Fluent English!
Departure Phrases
I’d better be going – followed by a simple phrase like ‘it’s too late’, or ‘have lots to do’ – and indicator you’d like to walk off and finish the conversation.
I really gotta go – this is the least formal way of telling someone that you definitely have to leave now. This is the best way of two friends, for example, finishing a conversation and personally I use this phrase qu ite often! OK, I’m sorry but I have to leave now! – used when your chat partner has clear intentions of continuing the conversation but you just need to go so you’re making it clear that you need to go. See you later! – used when you know that you’ll be seeing each other again sometime. See you around! – the same as above See you in a couple of minutes! – this phrase is typically used when you’re leaving the other person for a short while during an event, for example. Keep in touch! – a good-bye phrase meaning you want the other person to get in touch with you every now and then and that you’ve the same intentions. It was nice seeing you, take care! – a good- bye phrase used when you know that you won’t see the person for a while. It’s been good talking to you! – the same as above phrase. Hope to see you again! – you can use this phrase when finishing a conversation with someone you’ve just met. Say hello to …! – a short and handy way of saying to remind someone from you.
Now You’ve Finished Reading this List… What’s Next? You’re pretty excited having found my blog and especially this list of English small-talk phrases, isn’t that right? There’s one small problem though… The chances are, you’re going to forget MOST of these phrases within a matter of hours, and next week you’ll be lucky to remember ANY of them! Please don’t get me wrong – I’m not trying to insult your intelligence and impl y that you have bad memory. It’s NATURAL to forget all kinds of information after just one exposure; it’s just human nature. So I guess it poses the next logical question – “How to make sure you can actually use such and similar phrases in YOUR daily conversations with work colleagues, college friends and people you meet?”
Here’s the Most Effective Way to Learn These Small Talk Phrases… The best way of imprinting these small talk phrases into your mind is by utilizing spaced repetition. It might sound very technical, while in fact it simply means you have to repeat and memorize a phrase a number of times over a certain period of time. 1. Repeat each phrase three times. 2. Then do it once more tomorrow. 3. Go back to it after a longer period of time – say, a week or two. This spaced repetition principle ensures that the small talk phrases you’re memorizing REMA IN in your ACTIVE vocabulary. It basically means you’ll be able to USE those phrases in relevant situations, a nd that’s definitely what you want, isn’t it?
I’ve Got Great News For You!
What if I told you I’ve compiled 1350 similar phrases and expressions and also made it SUPER-EASY for you to memorize them using the spaced repetition technique?
Wouldn’t that be cool? Believe it or not – but I’ve done just that, and here you can check out my unique software stuffed full of English small talk and many other phrases! It’s called the English Harmony System , and here are its main benefits ANY upper-intermediate and advanced foreign English student can avail of:
EH System imprints natural E nglish phrases into your mind; EH System makes sure you stop prepari ng speech in your head ;
You develop ability to speak i nstinctively and spontaneously
So, do you want to develop your ability to speak FLUENTLY and use all these and MANY MORE English phrases, expressions and idioms just like NATIVE English speakers do? I love simple, short English verbs such as TO DO, TO PUT, TO GET and others – the reason being : the same verb can be used in a huge number of different situations thus making it possible for you to communicate about A LOT without spending a lot of time on learning massive amounts of new English vocabulary! Just look at how the simple verb TO GET replaces other words: Do you understand me? – Do you GE T me? (As a matter of fact, this is what you should say when asking people if they understood what you’ve just said – a lot of foreigners overuse the verb “to understand”!) How much do you earn? – How much do you GE T ? Will you arrive on time? – Will you GE T there on time? Let’s assume, for argument’s sake , that you didn’t know the words “to understand”, “to earn” and “to arrive”. If that were the case , you’d hardly be able to formulate the above questions without using the word TO GET, and it just goes to show how effective it is to learn how to… Use One Word in 100 Different Ways Instead of Learning 100 Different Words!
Well, obviously I’m not trying to discourage you from learning more English words and widening your vocabulary, it’s just that I’ve always believed it’s much easier to learn to speak English fluently with limited vocabulary and THEN learn more words. Unfortunately, so many foreign English speakers (I was one of them, by the way!) are trying to build massive vocabularies believing that it will somehow make them fluent while in reality nothing could be further from the truth … Anyway, let’s stop beating around the bush and here’s all you’ll ever need to know about the English verb
TO GET!
Use TO GET with Adjectives to Describe Transition from One State to Another Here’s a typical example: To GET drunk. Not that I would condone alcohol abuse (as a matter of fact , drinking makes it harder for you to speak fluent English) – it’s just that this is a very popular phrase and it vividly illustrates what I’m trying to explain here – transition from one state (sober) into another (drunk).
Basically it’s when you describe an emotional or p hysiological change, and here’s the simple formula of how it’s done:
TO GE T + adjective:
To GET angry – “Why do you always get angry when dealing with people?” To GET sick – “I rarely get sick but when I do, I have serious symptoms so I can’t go into work for a week or so.” To GET bored – “I get bored easily and that’s why I could never have a mundane, boring job.” To GET annoyed – “It’s hard not to get annoyed with people contacting you on Facebook all the time, so the only option is the turn off the chat.” To GET lucky – “You’ll have a spot reserved in the local soccer team if you show very good results, and if you get lucky – you might even play at a national level!”
You can actually say that in this context the verb TO GET acts as the verb TO BECOME – it’s just that TO GET sounds better in these kind of phrases than TO BECOME. Why? Well, it’s just the wa y native English speakers speak, and it’s actually not good for your fluency to ask too many WHY questions!
Use TO GET in Conjunction With Pretty Much ANY Past Participle … to describe the process of something or someone achieving a certain state described by the Past Participle. And here’s a crash course into Past Participles if you’re not sure what they are: it’s the 3 rd form of any verb created by adding -ed at the end of the verb (for most verbs) or in case the verb is irregular, you just have to learn the Past Participle off by heart (such as “gone”, “done”, “seen” etc.) – just make sure you learn them via expressions as opposed to learning words strings such as “bring, brought, brought”, for example! So, the formula is very simple:
TO G E T + Past Participle:
To GET accused (of something) – this phrase can be used when someone accuses you of doing something wrong, basically you’re being blamed for something: “I got accused of stealing from my boss – but I never did it!” To GET married – self-explanatory, isn’t it? “My best friend Charlie is getting married next week , and I’m his best man!” To GET lost – this phrase can actually be used in two different situations – when you get lost and can’t find your way home, or when someone tells you to get lost and by that they mean they don’t want to see you:
“I got lost while hiking in the wilderness, it took me 8 hours to find my way back to the car…” “I don’t ever want to see you again, get lost!” o To GET chosen means that you’re being chosen for something, for example: “I always get chosen as a leader, but I actually never ask for it.” o
So far we’ve covered using the verb TO GET with conjunction with adjectives and Past Participles in order to describe changes of physical (get chosen, get banned) or mental (get excited, get angry) nature. Now let’s look at popular…
English Phrasal Verbs Containing the Verb TO GET Get across – this phrasal verb describes the process of successful communication, basically when you’ve been able to explain something to another person, you can say that you’ve gotten the message across:“I was trying really hard to get the message across to all peo ple in the audience, but I’m not sure if I succeeded…” Get by – when you’re struggling financially and you’re barely able to pay the bills and put food on the table, you can use this phrasal verb to describe the situation: “I can barely get by , so it goes without saying I can’t afford another electricity price increase!” Get along with – to be successful at something: “H ow are you getting along with your new position as a grocery store supervisor?”
This phrasal verb can also be used when discussing relationships – in this case it means to be on good terms with someone: “ I can’t get along with my younger brother, we’ve been fighting each other ever since I remember!” Get over – to overcome some mental issue, to deal with a problem that’s been troubling you: “ I broke up with my girlfriend six months ago, but I still can’t get over the emotional pain.” Get down – this English phrasal verb means to become emotionally affected in a negative way:“Sometimes people at work are so annoying that it gets me down big time, and that’s when I really start hating my job.”
English Idiomatic Expressions With the Verb TO GET Here’s a few idioms that I personally use all the time an d you’ll also find them quite handy in your daily English conversations and spoken English practice: Don’t get me wrong – this idiom can be used when the other person has misinterpreted what you’ve said and now you want to reassure them of your good intentions: “ Please don’t get me wrong , I’m not trying to intimidate anyone, I’m just making sure nobody neglects their work duties!” Get the drift – to get the general idea of what’s being said. Here’s an example: “Anyway, I hope you get the drift , but if you’ve any questions – just let me know!” Get the full picture – to understand something fully: “I’m going to have to explain a few more aspects of the World War II so that you get the full picture of how it affected our country’s history.” Get the most out of – this idiomatic expression means to receive the most benefits from a certain activity or object: “I believe everyone should go travelling for a year or two to get the most out of life.”
Get rid of – this popular English idiomatic expression means to discard something you don’t want: “I want to get ri d of all the old stuff I have in my attic, so this weekend I’m going to do some cleaning up there!” Get around to – when you finally have some time to do what you’ve been meaning to do for a long time, this idiom is the right one to use: “Finally I’ve gotten around to writing my thesis, I hope I can get it done in a week’s time…” Get the better of – you can use this idiomatic expression when describing some emotions overcoming you to the point where you can’t resist them, for ex ample: “I allowed my anger to get the better of me and as a result I shouted at my 4 year old daughter – now I feel really bad about that…” From the get-go – this idiom contains the word GET but it’s not used as a verb in this case – it’s part of a noun GET-GO which means a BEGINNING. This is a very useful expression tho ugh, and I personally use it all the time: “You should have been putting more effort into your studies from the get-go , now that the school year is drawing to an end it’s too late!”
***
Typical Responses Thanks, I’ve been keeping busy – just a standard response to a standard greeting with little or no direct meaning. Thanks for asking, I’m fine, how are you? – a typical response and counter-question to a greeting phrase ‘how are you?’ Hi, how you’re doing! It’s good to see you! – a typical response to a greeting from someone you haven’t seen for a while. Can’t complain – a response to a standard greeting like ‘How are you?’ It’s not as exciting phrase as ‘Thanks, I’m great!’ but it doesn’t mean you’re having some problems in your life. Can you say it again, please? – a request to repeat the question if you didn’t understand what was said. This can also be used when the native speaking person speaks a bit too fast – they should get the hint and slow down a bit. But if they don’t, you can ask a more direct question: Can you slow it down a bit, please? And how about you? – a typical response when you’re not sure what to ask next so you’re asking the other person the same think they asked you. You can respond with this counter-greeting on nearly all standard greetings. To the best of my knowledge … – when you’re 99% sure about the statement you’re making. Also a good start of a response you want to take a bit more time to consider what you’re going to say. As far as I know … – the same as above. Good for you! – a response to someone telling you about their success in something or some good news that they’re happy about. Can’t argue with that – used when you agree with the statement of the other person. How do you know? – a counter-question you can ask when someone surprises you with a question about something they’re not really expected to know. That’s a good one! – a surprise response to funny or surprising news from your chat partner. Really? Tell me more about it! – used when you want your chat partner to tell me about what he/she just said. Frankly speaking, … – just a way to start your response. It indicates that you’re about to open up and be very
honest with your chat partner. A great way of establishing an immediate trust. Well, to be honest with you, … – the same as above. No problem – a typical response to a small request you’re happy to do. This one is especially used when responding to superiors’ requests and it sounds more enthusiastic than if you simply say ‘sure’ or ‘OK’. Never mind, it’s fine! - this phrase is used when the person offers to do a favour for you but it’s not really necessary. Never mind, forget what I just said – this phrase is to be used when you said something that wasn’t important at all but your chat partner wants you to repeat it. You can also use this phrase if you feel that he/she might be slightly annoyed or offended by your question or comment so you want to end it there. You got me there – this can be said instead of ‘I don’t’ know’ – it will sound more casual and not as defensive as the old ‘I don’t know’! You’ve got to be kidding me! – said when someone tells you something that borders on the unbelievable and you want to express your surprise. That’s a good question. – a phrase used when you want to take your time to think over the question. This is an ideal phrase to use when you’re stuck but instead of remaining silent you can start your response with this phrase. Well, how to put it in the right words. – the same as above. That would be great! – a response to an offer that you’re really happy about. … you know what I mean? – this is quite an overused phrase but you can definitely use it at the end of a sentence if you want to emphasize what you just said. You see, the thing is that … – this is how you begin a sentence when you’re asked to explain something. English Small Talk Phrases
Conversation Starters & Greetings
How are you getting on? – just another way of saying ‘how are you?’ You doing OK? – asked when the person has had some tough e xperience recently and you want to ask politely if they’re OK. Hi, …! What’s new? – this is a very informal way of greeting a close friend or anyone who you see on a regular basis and
you want to ask has anything happened since you last met. Hi, …! What’s up? – the same as above with a difference t hat you’re probably not that interested in what news the other
person might have. Hi, …! Long time no see! – used when you haven’t seen the person for a long period of time and you want to state that
fact in the greeting. Hi, …! Have you been keeping busy? – just a standard enquiry with little o r no direct meaning. Do you mind me asking…? – a typical way of asking something that might be a slightly personal question. OK, here’s the thing … – a very handy way to start making your point if you’re not sure how to beg in the sentence. Typical Responses
Thanks, I’ve been keeping busy – just a standard response to a standard greeting with little or no direct meaning. Thanks for asking, I’m fine, how are you? – a typical response and counter- question to a greeting phrase ‘how are you?’ Hi, how you’re doing! It’s good to see you! – a typical response to a greeting from someone you haven’t seen for a while. Can’t complain – a response to a standard greeting like ‘How are you?’ It’s not as e xciting phrase as ‘Thanks, I’m great!’
but it doesn’t mean you’re having some pr oblems in your life. Can you say it again, please? – a request to repeat the question if you didn’t understand what was said. This can also be used when the native speaking person speaks a bit too fast – they should get the hint and slow down a bit. But if they don’t, you can ask a more direc t question:
Can you slow it down a bit, please? And how about you? – a typical response when you’re not sure what to ask next so you’re asking the other person the same think they asked you. You can re spond with this counter-greeting on nearly all standard greetings. To the best of my knowledge … – when you’re 99% sure about the statement you’re making. Also a good start of a
response you want to take a bit more time to consider what you’re going to say. As far as I know … – the same as above.
Good for you! – a response to someone telling you about their success in something or some good news that they’re happy about. Can’t argue with that – used when you agree with t he statement of the other person.
How do you know? – a counter-question you can ask when someone surprises you w ith a question about something they’re not really expected to know. That’s a good one! – a surprise response to funny or surprising news from your chat partner.
Really? Tell me more about it! – used when you want your chat partner to tell me about what he/she just said. Frankly speaking, … – just a way to start your response. It indicates that you’re about to open up and be very honest
with your chat partner. A great way of establishing an immediate trust. Well, to be honest with you, … – the same as above.
No problem – a typical response to a small request you’re happy to do. This one is especially used when responding to superiors’ requests and it sounds more enthusiastic than if you simply say ‘ sure’ or ‘OK’. Never mind, it’s fine! - this phrase is used when the person offer s to do a favour for you but it’s not really necessary.
Never mind, forget what I just said – this phrase is to be used when you said something that wasn’t important at all but
your chat partner wants you to repeat it. You can also use this phrase if you feel that he/she might be slightly annoyed or offended by your question or comment so you want to end it there. You got me there – this can be said instead of ‘I don’t’ know’ – it will sound more casual and not as defensive as the old ‘I don’t know’! You’ve got to be kidding me! – said when someone tells you something that borders on the unbelievable and you want
to express your surprise. That’s a good question. – a phrase used when you want to t ake your time to think over the question. This is an ideal phrase to use when you’re stuck but instead of remaining silent you can start your response with this phrase.
Well, how to put it in the right words. – the same as above. That would be great! – a response to an offer that you’re really happy about. … you know what I mean? – this is quite an overused phrase but you can definitely use it at the end of a sentence if you
want to emphasize what you just said. You see, the thing is that … – this is how you begin a sentence when you’re asked to explain something. Departure Phrases I’d better be going – followed by a simple phrase like ‘it’s too late’, or ‘have lots to do’ – and indicator you’d like to walk
off and finish the conversation. OK, I’m sorry but I have to leave now! – used when your chat partner has clear intentions of continuing the conversation but you just need to go so you’re making it clear that you need to go.
See you later! – used when you know that you’ll be seeing eac h other again sometime. See you around! – the same as above Keep in touch! – a good-bye phrase meaning you want the o ther person to get in touch with you every now and then and that you’ve the same intentions.
It was nice seeing you, take care! – a good-bye phrase used when you know that you wo n’t see the person for a while. It’s been good talking to you! – the same as above phrase.
Hope to see you again! – you can use this phrase when finishing a conversation with someone you’ve j ust met. Say hello to …! – a short and handy way of saying to remind someone from you. "It's been a long time since we talked to each other"
Confusables Meanings
accept
to agree to receive or do
except
not including
adverse
unfavourable, harmful
averse
strongly disliking; opposed
advice
recommendations about what to do
advise
to recommend something
affect
to change or make a difference to
effect
a result; to bring about a result
aisle
a passage between rows of seats
isle
an island
all together all in one place, all at once altogether
completely; on the whole
along
moving or extending horizontally on
a long
referring to something of great length
aloud
out loud
allowed
permitted
altar
a sacred table in a church
alter
to change
amoral
not concerned with right or wrong
immoral
not following accepted moral standards
appraise
to assess
apprise
to inform someone
assent
agreement, approval
ascent
the action of rising or climbing up
aural
relating to the ears or hearing
oral
relating to the mouth; spoken
balmy
pleasantly warm
barmy
foolish, crazy
bare
naked; to uncover
bear
to carry; to put up with
bated
in phrase 'with bated breath', i.e. in great suspense
baited
with bait attached or inserted
bazaar
a Middle Eastern market
bizarre
strange
berth
a bunk in a ship, train, etc.
birth
the emergence of a baby from the womb
born
having started life
borne
carried
bough
a branch of a tree
bow
to bend the head; the front of a ship
brake
a device for stopping a vehicle; to stop a vehicle
break
to separate into pieces; a pause
breach
to break through, or break a rule; a gap
breech
the back part of a gun barrel
broach
to raise a subject for discussion
brooch
a piece of jewellery
canvas
a type of strong cloth
canvass
to seek people’s votes
censure
to criticize strongly
censor
to ban parts of a book or film; a person who does this
cereal
a grass producing an edible grain; a breakfast food made from grains
serial
happening in a series
chord
a group of musical notes
cord
a length of string; a cord-like body part
climactic
forming a climax
climatic
relating to climate
coarse
rough
course
a direction; a school subject; part of a meal
complacent smug and self-satisfied complaisant willing to please complement to add to so as to improve; an addition that improves something compliment to praise or express approval; an admiring remark council
a group of people who manage or advise
counsel
advice; to advise
cue
a signal for action; a wooden rod
queue
a line of people or vehicles
curb
to keep something in check; a control or limit
kerb
(in British English) the stone edge of a pavement
currant
a dried grape
current
happening now; a flow of water, air, or electricity
defuse
to make a situation less tense
diffuse
to spread over a wide area
desert
a waterless, empty area; to abandon someone
dessert
the sweet course of a meal
discreet
careful not to attract attention
discrete
separate and distinct
disinterested impartial uninterested not interested draught
a current of air
draft
a first version of a piece of writing
draw
an even score at the end of a game
drawer
a sliding storage compartment
dual
having two parts
duel
a fight or contest between two people
elicit
to draw out a reply or reaction
illicit
not allowed by law or rules
ensure
to make certain that something will happen
insure
to provide compensation if a person dies or property is damaged
envelop
to cover or surround
envelope
a paper container for a letter
exercise
physical activity; to do physical act ivity
exorcise
to drive out an evil spirit
fawn
a young deer; light brown
faun
a mythical being, part man, part goat
flaunt
to display ostentatiously
flout
to disregard a rule
flounder
to move clumsily; to have difficulty doing something
founder
to fail
forbear
to refrain
forebear
an ancestor
foreword
an introduction to a book
forward
onwards, ahead
freeze
to turn to ice
frieze
a decoration along a wall
grisly
gruesome, revolting
grizzly
a type of bear
hoard
a store
horde
a large crowd of people
imply
to suggest indirectly
infer
to draw a conclusion
loath
reluctant, unwilling
loathe
to hate
loose
to unfasten; to set free
lose
to be deprived of; to be unable to find
meter
a measuring device
metre
a metric unit; rhythm in verse
militate
to be a powerful factor against
mitigate
to make less severe
palate
the roof of the mouth
palette
a board for mixing colours
pedal
a foot-operated lever
peddle
to sell goods
pole
a long, slender piece of wood
poll
voting in an election
pour
to flow or cause to flow
pore
a tiny opening; to study something closely
practice
the use of an idea or method; the work or business of a doctor , dentist, etc.
practise
to do something repeatedly to gain skill; to do something regularly
prescribe
to authorize use of medicine; to order authoritatively
proscribe
to officially forbid something
principal
most important; the head of a school
principle
a fundamental rule or belief
sceptic
a person inclined to doubt
septic
infected with bacteria
sight
the ability to see
site
a location
stationary
not moving
stationery
writing materials
storey
a level of a building
story
a tale or account
titillate
to arouse interest
titivate
to make more attractive
tortuous
full of twists; complex
torturous
full of pain or suffering
wreath
a ring-shaped arrangement of flowers etc.
wreathe
to surround or encircle
yoke
a wooden crosspiece for harnessing a pair of oxe n
yolk
the yellow center of an egg
Khub Valo Web Site http://www.learnenglish.de/mistakes/commonmistakes.html http://usefulenglish.ru/writing/difficult-prefixes
http://www.smart-words.org/quotes-sayings/idioms-meaning.html
English Homonyms: Short List for Beginners Homonyms include words that have the same pronunciation or the same spelling or both but are different in meaning. Studying homonyms in typical phrases in which they are used will help you to distinguish one homonym from another when you hear them. Frequently used homonyms and some examples of their use are given in the lists below.
The same pronunciation, different meaning AIR – HEIR: fresh air; the heir to the throne; AISLE – ISLE: an aisle seat; the British Isles; ALTAR – ALTER : to lead to the altar; to alter course; BALL – BALL : to play ball; to open a ball; BAND – BAND : a rock band; a rubber band; BANK – BANK: the bank of the river; put the money in the bank; BARE – BEAR – BEAR (голый – нести ношу – медведь): with bare hands; I can't bear it; the polar bear; BARK – BARK (лай, лаять – кора): the dog barked at me; barking dogs; the bark of a tree; BAT – BAT (летучая мышь – бита): blind as a bat; a baseball bat; BE – BEE (быть – пчела): to be or not to be; to be as busy as a bee; BEAT – BEET (бить – свекла): to beat the drums; beets and carrots; BERRY – BURY (ягода – хоронить): strawberry jam; to bury the dead; BRAKE – BREAK (тормоз – перерыв, ломать): car brakes; a ten-minute break; don't break it; BUY – BY – BYE (покупать – около, у – Пока!): to buy a car; to sit by the window; Bye-bye! CACHE – CASH (тайник, запас – наличные деньги): cache memory; pay cash; I have no cash; CELL – SELL (ячейка – продавать): a prison cell; my cell phone; to sell b ooks; CENT – SCENT (цент – запах): 100 cents in a dollar; a faint scent of roses; CEREAL – SERIAL (крупа – серийное издание): to eat breakfast cereal; to watch TV serials; CLIP – CLIP (подрезать – зажим, скрепка): to clip the hedge; a paper clip; COARSE – COURSE (грубый – курс): coarse fabric; a course of lectures; CURRANT – CURR ENT (смородина – текущий, течение): red currant; current year; ocean current;
DEAR – DEER (дорогой – олень): Dear Sir; dear friend; a young deer; several deer; DESERT [di'zərt] – DESSERT [di'zərt] (покидать – десерт): to desert the village; apple pie for dessert; DEW – DUE (роса – должный): morning dew; When is the train due? DIE – DYE (умереть – краситель, окрашивать): He died two years ago. She dyed her hair red. DOE – DOUGH (самка оленя – тесто): a young doe; to roll the dough; FAIR – FAIR – FARE (справедливый – ярмарка – плата за проезд): that's fair; book fair; bus fare; FINE – FINE (прекрасный – штраф): one fine day; fine wine; to pay a fine for speeding; FIR – FUR (ель – мех): pines and fir trees; a fir cone; a fur coat; natural fur; FLEA – FLEE (блоха – спасаться бегством): a flea market; to flee the coun try; FLOUR – FLOWER (мука – цветок): two cups of flour; a bunch of flowers; FOREWORD – FORWARD (предисловие – вперёд): a foreword in a book; to move forward; GAIT – GATE (походка – ворота): heavy gait; slow gait; to open the gate; GRATE – GREAT (скрести, тереть – замечательный): to grate cheese; a great opportunity; GROUND – GROUND (земля – молотый): to fall to the ground; freshly ground coffee; HAIR – HARE (волосы – заяц): she has dark hair and green eyes; he ran like a hare; HALL – HAUL (коридор, зал – тянуть, тащить): down the hall; a concert hall; to haul the boat; HANGAR – HANGER (ангар – вешалка): a plane hangar; a coat hanger; HAY – HEY (сено – эй): to make hay; hay fever; Hey! HEAL – HEEL (излечивать – пятка, каблук): to heal the wounds; high he els; HEAR – HERE (слышать – здесь): Did you hear what he said? She doesn't live here. HI – HIGH (привет – высокий): Hi; how are you? high walls; high speed; high temperature; HOARSE – HORSE (хриплый – лошадь): a hoarse voice; to ride a horse; HOLE – WHOLE (дыра – целый): a small hole in my sock; as a whole; the whole world; I – EYE (я – глаз): I can see it clearly. My left e ye itches. KNIGHT – NIGHT (рыцарь – ночь): the Knights of the Round Table; a dark night; days and nights; KNOT – NOT (узел – не, нет): a tight knot; not a word; he is not a doctor;
KNOW – NO (знать – не, нет): Do you know him? No, I don't. I have no time. LIE – LIE (ложь, лгать – лежать): to tell a lie; don't lie to me; to lie on the floor; LIGHT – LIGHT (свет – лёгкий): bright light; as light as a feather; light rain; MAIL – MALE (почта, отправить почтой – мужской, мужчина): to send by mail; a male child; MAIN – MANE (главный – грива): the main reason; a horse's mane; MATCH – MATCH (спичка – матч): to strike a match; a football match; MEAN – MEAN (значить – низкий): What do you mean? It was mean of him to say it. MEAT – MEET (мясо – встретить): meat and potatoes; to meet a girl; to meet with friends; MOLE – MOLE (родинка – крот): a mole on the chin; as blind as a mole; MOOSE – MOUSSE (лось – мусс): to hunt moose; chocolate mousse; NONE – NUN (ни один – монахиня): none of them; she is a nun; OAR – OR – ORE (весло – или – руда): a four -oar boat; one or two; iron ore; PAIL – PALE (ведро – бледный): a pail of water; his face is pale; PAIR – PEAR (пара – груша): a pair of gloves; apples and pears; PEACE – PIECE (мир, покой – кусок): peace and quiet; a piece of bread; a piece of paper; PEAK – PEEK (пик – заглянуть, взглянуть): a mountain peak; to peek into the hole; PEER – PEER (сверстник, ровня – вглядываться): peer group; she peered into the dark room; PLAIN – PLANE (ясный, простой – самолет): plain answer; plain food; to go b y plane; POLE – POLE – POLL (столб – полюс – опрос): a telegraph pole; the North Pole; public opinion poll; POUND – POUND (фунт – колотить): a pound of cheese; to change dollars for pounds; to pound on the door; PRINCIPAL – PRINCIPLE (главный – принцип): principal cause; a man of principle; PRAY – PREY (молиться – жертва, добыча): to pray to God; easy prey; birds of prey; RACE – RACE (раса – скачки, гонка): the human race; horse racing; a race horse; race cars; RAIN – REIGN (дождь – царствование): it looks like rain; during his reign; a pair of reins; READ – REED (читать – тростник): to read a book; reed grows near water; REST – REST (отдых, отдыхать – остаток, остальное): rest a little; leave the rest of them here;
RIGHT – WRITE (правильный, правый, право – писать): that's right; my right hand; civil rights; to write a letter; RING – RING (кольцо – звонить): a wedding ring; to ring a bell; ROLE – ROLL (роль – рулон, катить): to play a role; a roll of toilet paper; the ball rolled away; ROOT – ROUTE (корень – маршрут): the roots of the tree; Route 10; bus route; ROW [rou] – ROW [rou] (ряд – грести): to sit in the first row; to stand in a row; to row the boat; SAIL – SALE (парус, плыть – распродажа): to sail on a ship; I bought it on sale; SEA – SEE (море – видеть): Have you ever seen the sea at sunrise? SEAM – SEEM (шов – казаться): Please take it in at the seams. She seems to be a little nervous. SEW [sou] – SO – SOW [sou] (шить – так – сеять): to sew a dress; be so kind; to sow the seeds; SIGHT – SITE (вид, зрение – место): a beautiful sight; to see the sights; good e yesight; construction site; website; SOLE – SOLE – SOLE – SOUL (единственный – подошва – камбала – душа): sole heir; shoe sole; fillet of sole; body and soul; SOME – SUM (некоторый – сумма): I need some money; a large sum of money; SON – SUN (сын – солнце): he is my son; she has three sons; the sun is shining; STAIR – STARE (ступенька – пристально смотреть): go down the stairs; don't stare at people; STAKE – STEAK (ставка – бифштекс): the stakes are high; I'd like a steak for dinne r; STEAL – STEEL (красть – сталь): to steal money; stainless steel; STRAIGHT – STRAIT (прямой – пролив): a straight road; the Strait of Gibraltar; SUITE – SWEET (номер-люкс – сладкий): a hotel suite; this cake is too sweet; TAIL – TALE (хвост – рассказ): a bird with a long tail; a long and interesting tale; TIP – TIP (кончик – чаевые): the tip of the tongue; a one-dollar tip; to give a tip; TOAST – TOAST (тост, гренок – тост за): a piece of toast; I'd like to propose a toast to Alan's health; TOE – TOW (палец ноги – буксир, буксировать): I stubbed my toe; a tow truck; to tow a car; TOO – TWO (тоже – два): I like it too. I spent two days at the lake. TRUNK – TRUNK (туловище, ствол – сундук): the trunk of a tree; an elephant's trunk; a wooden trunk;
VAIN – VEIN (тщетный, тщеславный – вена): in vain; she is vain; veins carry blood to the heart; WAIST – WASTE (талия – излишняя трата): a slender waist; a waste of time; to waste money; WAIT – WEIGHT (ждать – вес): to wait for an hour; her weight is 65 kilograms; WARE – WEAR – WHERE (изделия – одежда, носить одежду – где): glassware; women's wear; she is wearing a suit; Where is Mike? WAY – WEIGH (путь – взвесить): to find a way; the shortest way; she weighs 65 kilograms; WEAK – WEEK (слабый – неделя): weak eyes; weak tea; next week; for two weeks; WEATHER – WHETHER (погода – ли): nice weather; ask her whether she wants to go; WELL – WELL (хорошо – колодец): very well; to feel well; a deep well; WHICH – WITCH (который – ведьма): which of these; Which bag is yours? S he is a real witch. WHINE – WINE (скулить – вино): my dog often whines; stop whining; red wine; French wines;
How to Give Weight to Your Opinion? Use Smart English Phrases!
I’ve blogged extensively about the importance of being able to conduct English small-talk and get involved in simple, everyday chats with other English speakers as opposed to trying to sound smart using sophisticated expressions because there’s always a chance you’ll get tongue-tied. Also I’ve stressed how important it is not to lose your head when you can’t remember a certain word or a phrase in English but paraphrase instead. Let’s say for instance, you’re having a chat with your friend and you’re trying to explain that you weren’t aware of a particular fact, but then it slowly became obvious to you. The phrase you’re trying to remember is “it dawned on me” – which means that you started to realize the tr uth. But if you can’t remember the exact word ‘dawned’ , there are still dozens of ways to convey the same message – “I suddenly realized”, “and then I got it”, “I started to understand” etc. While it’s important not to get too hung up on using the exact same phrase you can’t remember – or else you risk constantly getting stuck in the middle of con versations! – it’s also important not to ignore specific English phrases or so called idiomatic expressions that might just help you make your point more effectively and also would help you sound more like a native English speaker . Just imagine that you’re watching news and the y’re showing the latest developments in the world which unfortunately way too often involve natural and man-made disasters, atrocious crimes and other bad news that normally make the headlines. You’re watching the news with a couple of your friends, and halfway through the news your own worries and problems that were so pressing a mere ten minutes ago, all of a sudden seem to have become ridiculously unimportant. Compared to what people are going through in North Africa and Middle East at the moment, your life is actually a walk in the park! Now, you can express your feelings to your other family members in a couple of sentences just like I did in the paragraph above, OR… you can use a single phrase – “Yes, it really puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?” That’s the beauty of such and similar English phrases – they allow you to express your feelings in a single phrase! Moreover – they can be used in many different situations so a handful of smart English phrases can indeed help you explain yourself like a native English speaker !
But now I’m going to give you some more examples of smart English phrases so that you can clearly see the importance of learning them. To put things in perspective
…means to see the bigger picture . You can use this English phrase whenever you find yourself in a situation when your perception of something changes because of new information that allows you to see things objectively. After watching news you realized that you can actually consider yourself lucky to b e in a situation where you are in relation to where many others find themselves in; it’s like as if you’d look at the situation from outside and distance yourself from your own problems and worries. If you say “Well, it really puts things in perspective” – you don’t really have to add anything to it, so much can be said with a single phrase. You can use variations of this phrase – “to get perspective on”, “to see something in perspective”. “You should get perspective on your life and maybe you’ll start to understand why things always go wrong for you.” “[Person #1] Listen, I think I haven’t been fair to my wife on occasions, she’s not the only one giving hard time to the partner. [Person #2] You see – you’ve started seeing your marriage in perspective!”
I’m not in a position to…
This phrase is a formal way of declaring that you’re not able to do something. In practical terms you can use this phrase when you explain that you can’t perform a certain task or provide requested information because you need to consult with someone with bigger authority before you can do what’s asked from you, for example: “I had to wait on my supervisor to come in because I’m not in a position to tell the girls on the production floor what to do.” This English phrase is also quite often used as a p olite refusal to do something if you don’t want to go into details or if you don’t want to share confidential information. You’d o ften hear politicians use a phrase “I’m not in a position to comment on this right now” if they don’t want to speculate on something and would rather prefer to consult with their colleagues so that they come up with the best answer. So whenever you find yourself in a situation when you can’t take action, provide information or voice your opinion because you’re restricted by your position in an organization, you’re not competent enough to do it or you don’t want to jump to rash conclusions, you can use this smart and handy phrase – “I’m not in a position to…” In some way, shape, or form
This phrase doesn’t really allow you to substitute a couple of sentences of explanations with a single phrase because all it means is – in some way, somehow. I still chose to add it onto the list of phrases on this blog post because it sounds smart, and after all – we have to admit that sometimes a longer sentence just sounds better. “We’ll have to come up with a new product packaging solution which in some way, shape or form would represent our company’s core values.” I might as well just say: “We’ll have to come up with new product packaging which represents our company’s core values” and the message wouldn’t be lost b y omitting the phrase “in some way, shape or form”. Still… I think that if you include the phrase, it adds a certain depth to your message; you’re kind of implying that there might be countless solutions and it’s going to be h ard work, but you’ll still have to make it happen and somehow you’ll get it done. You can also use the same phrase to emphasize a negation, you can use it whenever you’d say “in any way” when denying something. “I have never been involved in any way, shape or form in the activities you’re accusing me of!” In this example the phrase is used effectively to make a very strong claim – when speaking, you’d stress every one of those words – “way, shape, or form” – to make a triple emphasis on the fact that you’re not involved in those activities you’re accused of. You can rest assured that…
… is a more f ormal way of saying “don’t worry; I’ll take care of it”. This phrase is very useful working with customers and can be used to reassure them of certainty of your commitment to them. For instance, if you work at a service desk of some service provider, you can use this phrase if a customer voices concerns of some sort . “Last time the technician arrived ten minutes past two and I had already left. Can you make sure he’s not late this time?” “I’m sorry to hear you had to spend another weekend without broadband; this time I’ll leave specific instructions to the technician and you can rest assured that he’s going to stick to the specific hours.”
Just compare these two sentences – “Don’t worry, we’ll figure out a way to make it happen” and “Please rest assured that we’ll find the best possible solution”. You have to agree that the second sentence rings with authority and will give the customer a peace of mind while the first one might not completely calm them down. Speaking in terms of…
I simply love this phrase because it allows you to give weight to what you’re saying and you’re going to sound so much more fluent! Compare these two sentences – “If we look at how efficient the production process is it’s rather obvious there’s lot of improvement to be made” and “Speaking in terms of efficiency of the production process, it’s rather obvious there’s lot of improvement to be made”. The phrase “speaking in terms of” sounds smart, and creates an impression you really know wh at you’re talking about, doesn’t it? So whenever you would say “in relation to”, “regarding”, “concerning”, “speaking about” or “talking about”, you can use the phrase “speaking in terms of” or simply “in terms of” instead. Given the importance of…
… is a very handy phrase you can use to start making your point related to something very important. To put it simply, it’s just another way of saying “[The subject] is very important, so…” or “[The subject] is a big issue, so…” but as we concluded previously – sometimes you may want to use a more sophisticated phrase to show yourself in a different light, especially when speaking with your superiors at work, lecturers at a college and similar situations. “Given the importance of the mounting personal debt levels nationwide, I propose to put more restrictions on the personal loan application process in our bank.” You can, of course, say “The mounting personal debt levels nationwide is a big issue, so I propose to put more restrictions on the personal loan ap plication process in our bank”; it’s just that I think if you begin the sentence with “given the importance”, it prepares the listener for some proposal or c onclusion and it makes them more attentive. You can’t really start a sentence with: “Given the importance of rising crime figures…” and then NOT give additional information as to what it is that has to b e done once the crime level is so high. In other words – it’s an ideal phrase in situations when you’re talking abo ut some issue and you’re putting forward a solution or concluding what should be done.
A couple more smart English phrases that will come in handy : Due to unforeseen circumstances
This is a very formal phrase and you can use it to explain a situation when something unexpected happened. Most likely you’ve heard it before in official cancellation announcements on TV or radio news – “The show has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances; we’ll reveal more details in the next news update.” Given the right circumstances OR given the right conditions
This phrase is used to state, for example, that certain things are likely to happen or that you would do something if certain conditions are met . “Given the right circumstances, I could overcome my fear of heights.”
Such is the complexity of the issue, that…
You can begin a sentence with this phrase if you want to describe how difficult is the issue at hand. “Such is the complexity of the issue, that I can’t think of a single strategy to solve the problem.” Irrespective of the results
Use this phrase to emphasize that certain things would or should happen no matter what the outcome is. “You should abstain from using alcohol irrespective of the pregnancy test results – just in case the test is faulty.” To draw parallels between
This is figurative way of saying that you find similarities between certain things or events, for example an event from the past and something that’s happening right now. “I think we can draw parallels between current financial crisis and the one preceding the Big Depression in the beginning of the 20th century.” All things being equal
… simply means that your statement is true if everything happen s as expected. “I should make it back to LA by Thursday, all things being equal.” You can also use this phrase when comparing something to stress that your statement is true if other circumstances remain the same – “Unfortunately natural athletes will lose to drug enhanced athletes nine times out of ten, all other things being equal.” The bottom line is
This is a very handy phrase you can use when ending a conversation or a presentation and you want to make one last statement to conclude all that was said previously. “So, the bottom line is – irrespective of the variety of different research results we looked at, you should not consume any amount of alcohol before driving!” More Choose your Words (https://www.vocabulary.com/articles/chooseyourwords/homonym-homophonehomograph/)
abhorrent / aberrant accept / except ado / adieu adopt / adapt adverse / averse affect / effect afflict / inflict aggravate / irritate allude / elude allusion / illusion / delusion
alternate / alternative ambiguous / ambivalent amicable / amiable amoral / immoral amuse / bemuse anecdote / antidote appraise / apprise assume / presume assure / ensure / insure aural / oral / verbal bare / bear bazaar / bizarre breach / breech bridal / bridle capital / capitol censor / censure cite / site / sight climactic / climatic complement / compliment compose / comprise concurrent / consecutive confident / confidant(e) connotation / denotation connote / denote conscious / conscience contemptible / contemptuous continual / continuous correlation / corollary
council / counsel decent / descent / dissent definitely / definitively demur / demure didactic / pedantic disassemble / dissemble discomfit / discomfort discreet / discrete disillusion / dissolution disinterested / uninterested dual / duel economic / economical elusive / illusive emigrate / immigrate / migrate eminent / imminent eminent / imminent / immanent empathy / sympathy endemic / epidemic entitle / title entomology / etymology envelop / envelope envy / jealousy epigram / epigraph epitaph / epithet especially / specially exalt / exult exercise / exorcise expedient / expeditious
extant / extent facetious / factious / fatuous farther / further faze / phase ferment / foment fictional / fictitious / fictive figuratively / literally flair / flare flaunt / flout flounder / founder formerly / formally formidable / formative fortunate / fortuitous gibe / jibe gig / jig gorilla / guerrilla grisly / gristly / grizzly hale / hail healthful / healthy hero / protagonist historic / historical hoard / horde homonym / homophone / homograph hone / home imply / infer incredible / incredulous indeterminate / indeterminable indict / indite
inflammable / inflammatory ingenious / ingenuous insidious / invidious instant / instance intense / intensive / intent introvert / extrovert irony / satire / sarcasm it's / its laudable / laudatory lay / lie loath / loathe lose / loose luxuriant / luxurious marital / martial mean / median / average medal / meddle / mettle metaphor / simile moral / morale morbid / moribund nauseated / nauseous naval / navel objective / subjective optimistic / pessimistic palate / palette / pallet paradox / oxymoron parameter / perimeter parody / parity peak / peek / pique
peddle / pedal / petal persecute / prosecute personal / personnel pitiable / pitiful / piteous / pitiless pore / pour practical / practicable pragmatic / dogmatic precede / proceed precedent / president predominate / predominant premier / premiere prescribe / proscribe pretentious / portentous principal / principle prophecy / prophesy prostate / prostrate quote / quotation rebut / refute regrettably / regretfully reluctant / reticent respectfully / respectively sac / sack scrimp / skimp sensual / sensuous simple / simplistic stationary / stationery statue / statute than / then
that / which their / there / they're tortuous / torturous turbid / turgid unconscionable / unconscious unexceptional / unexceptionable venal / venial veracious / voracious wave / waive weather / whether / wether who / whom who's / whose your / you're
English Vocabulary Common Mistakes and Confusing Words in English(http://www.learnenglish.de/mistakes/commonmistakes.html)
Let's face it, English can be confusing. A lot of words are similar but with different meanings, as a result it is almost impossible to avoid making mistakes in English, but if you can get your head around these explanations, you might be able to avoid making these ones or at least recognise them when you see them. Words marked with an asterisk * have confusing pronunciation. accept vs except | accessary vs accessory | advice vs advise affect vs effect | a lot/alot/allot all ready vs already | all right vs alright | allude vs elude | alone vs lonely altogether vs all together | ambivalent vs indifferent any vs some | any one vs anyone apart vs a part | around vs round | assume vs know vs think astrology vs astronomy | at vs in bald vs bold | been vs gone | beside vs besides bold vs bald | bored vs boring | borrow vs lend bought vs brought | by vs until capital vs capitol | captivate vs capture career vs carrier vs courier | certain vs curtain check vs control | close vs closed | close vs shut collage vs college | come over vs overcome
*compare vs compere | complement vs compliment concentrate vs concentrated | confuse vs confess | *content | council vs counsel councillor vs counsellor | curious vs interesting | curtain vs certain data vs datum | decent vs descent | decision vs division defrost vs melt | desperate vs disparate | destroy vs destruct discreet vs discrete | division vs decision | do or make don't have to vs mustn't | dose vs doze | downside vs underside draught vs drought | dress up vs get dressed | driving test vs test drive drought vs draught effect vs affect | e.g. or i.e. | -er vs -re | either or vs neither nor either vs as well / too | employer vs employee enquire vs inquire | enquiry vs inquiry | every day vs everyday except vs accept | except vs expect | excited vs exciting | *execute vs executive expand vs expend | expect vs except | experience vs experience(s) | extra vs surplus fewer vs less | for vs since (time) | full stop vs period | get dressed vs dress up good vs well | going out vs outgoing | gone vs been hard vs hardly | hear vs listen | heroin vs heroine | he's vs his holiday vs the weekend | holy vs holly | homework vs housework hope vs wish | "How do you do?" vs "How are you?" I vs me | immunity vs impunity | improve vs improvise | impunity vs immunity inquire vs enquire | inquiry vs enquiry interested vs interesting | interesting vs curious know vs assume vs think | know vs now later vs latter | lay vs lie | lay down vs lie down | leaped vs leapt learn vs teach | less vs fewer | live vs stay look after vs look for | look at vs watch look forward(s) vs look forward to look over vs overlook | loose vs lose massage vs message | me vs I | me vs my | moan vs mourn moral vs morale | most vs the most | most vs mostly | mourn vs moan | my vs me neither | nor vs or | now vs know ointment | ornament | or vs nor outgoing vs going out | outgoings vs outgoing overlook vs look over | overrun vs run over | overtake vs takeover / take over / of vs off of course vs off course | pass away vs pass out | period vs full stop personal vs personnel | practice vs practise precede vs proceed | principal vs principle proceed vs precede | probably vs properly quiet vs quite raise/rise | -re vs -er | regard vs regardless vs regards | remainder vs reminder remember vs remind | replay vs reply | round vs around | run over vs overrun said vs told | say vs talk | say vs tell | scared vs scary see vs watch | shortage vs shortness | shut vs close so vs such | some vs any | some time vs sometime vs sometimes sooth vs soothe | stationary vs stationery | stay vs live | stick vs sticker | strange vs stranger stuff vs things | such vs so | surplus vs extra take care vs take care of | takeover / take over vs overtake talk vs say | teach vs learn tell vs say | than vs then | that / which / who then vs than | think vs assume vs know told vs said | to/too/two | there/their/they're | things vs stuff
trainer vs trainee | travel/trip/voyage/journey us vs we | used to vs used to do wander vs wonder | warn vs worn | watch vs look at watch vs see | we vs us | what vs which wish vs hope | who vs which vs that who vs whom | wrong vs wrongly Any vs Some Been vs Gone Borrow vs Lend By vs Until Check vs Control He's vs His I / Me / My Say / Tell / Ask There / Their / They're To / Too / Two Where / Were / Wear / We're Mixed! - Difficult More tests on the English tests page
A Complete List of Homonyms
Homonyms are the words that sound like one another, particularly when that are pronounced the same way but spelt differently. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines a homonym as: each of the two or more words having the same spelling and/or pronunciation or different spelling and/or pronunciation but different meanings and origins. Example: Pole and Pole The first Pole refers to a citizen of Poland who could either be referred to as Polish or a Pole. The second Pole refers to a bamboo pole or any other wooden pole. This is The Complete List of Homonyms beginning with B.
Bail: The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on th e condition that a sum of money is
deposited in the court to guarantee their appearance in the court at a future date 1. To scoop water out of a ship or a boat 2. To make an emergency descent by parachute from an aircraft 3. To rescue someone from a difficulty Bale: A bundle of hay or dry grass
Bait: Food used to entice fish or other animals as prey To deliberately annoy, taunt or torment somebody Bate: (Of a hawk) beat wings in agitation and flutter off a perch (term used in falconry)
Bald: A hair less person Bawled: To have cried loudly
Band : 1: A small group of musicians and vocalists 2: A small group of people who have common interests and purposes Banned: Something that is disallowed or illegal
Bard: A poet, traditionally one reciting epics (the Bard is a reference to William Shakespeare) Barred: 1. enclosed by poles or bars 2. Prohibited to do some thing and from going from some where
Bare: Naked or without any covering Bear: 1. A large, heavy mammal of the family Ursidae, of which there are several species, the largest being the Kodiak Bear of the Arctic regions 2. (Stock Exchange) A person who sells shares hoping to buy them back later at lower price Bear: 1. Manage to tolerate (pain or problem etc…) 2. Give birth to a child
Bark: The tough outer covering of a tree Bark: The sharp explosive cry of a dog, fox or a seal Bark: To utter (a command or order) abruptly and aggressively
Braque: A sailing ship, typically with three masts
Baron: 1. A member of the lowest order of British nobility, minor royalty 2. A powerful person in business or industry( for inst ance a press baron or a liquor baron) Barren: 1. (of land) Too poor or infertile to produce much or any vegetarian 2. (of tree or a plant) Not producing any fruit or seed 3. ( of a female animal or woman) Unable to bear offspring or a child 4. Bleak and lifeless
Baul: Singing minstrels of Bengal and Bangladesh Bawl: 1. To shout noisily or angrily 2. To weep noisily
Beach: 1. A pebbly or sandy shore at the edge of the sea or a lake 2. To bring into the beach from water Beech: A large tree with smooth grey bark, glossy leaves and hard, pale, fine-grained wood
Berry: A small juicy fruit without a stone Bury: 1. Put or hide u nderstood 2. {lace a dead body in the earth or in a tomb 3. Cause to disappear or to become unnoticeable 4. involve oneself deeply in something
Berth: 1. A ship’s allotted place at a wharf or dock 2. Moor or moored in a berth 3. Provide a berth for a passenger on a train Birth: 1. The emergence of a body or the young creature from the body of its mother 2. The start of life as a physically separate being
3. The beginning of something, the origin, descent, ancestry
Better: Superior, in a more advanced stage Bettor: A person who plays or places a bet
Bite: 1. Use the teeth to cut something into pieces 2. (Of a fish) Take the bait at the end of the fishing net into mouth 3. (Of a policy or situation)Take effect with unpleasant consequences Byte: (Computing) a group of binary digits or bits (usually eight) operated on a unit
Bloc: An alliance or a group (of political parties or countries) Block: 1. A large solid piece of hard material with flat surface on each side 2. A large single building subdivided into separate flats or offices 3. An obstacle to the smooth or normal progress or functioning of something
Boar: A wild pig found in the jungle Boer: A south African of Dutch descent Boor: A rough and bad-mannered person, tasteless buffoon Bore: 1. To make a hole in something 2. The hollow part inside a gun barrel or other tube 3. A dull and uninteresting person or activity 4. Make somebody feel weary and uninterested by virtue of being dull and tedious
Board: 1. A long, thin, flat piece of wood used for floors or other building purposes 2. The decision-making body of an organization 3. The provision of regular meals in return for payment or services 4. To get into a train or into a ship or into an aircraft Bored: Weary of or uninterested in something or somebody
Bolder: More courageous or braver than somebody Boulder: A large rock
Bole: A tree trunk Bowl: A dish
Boos: Disparaging sounds or calls from fans Booze: Alcohol or liquor
Borough: A town Burrow: 1. A hole or tunnel dug by a small animal as a dwelling 2. To dig into or through something solid Bough: A main branch of a tree
Bow: 1. A knot tied with two loops and two loose ends 2. A weapon for shooting arrows that is made of a curved piece of wood joined at both ends by a taut string Bow: 1. Lower the head or bend the upper part of the body as a sign of respect, greeting or shame 2. Cause to bend with age or under a heavy weight 3. Give in to pressure or demands 4. Withdraw or retire from something(to bow out)
Buoy: A navigational aid Boy: a male child
Breach: 1. An act of breaking a law or agreement or code of conduct 2. A gap in a wall or barrier, especially one made by an attacking army Breech: 1. The part of a cannon behind the bore 2. The back part of a rifle or gun barrel
Bread: 1. Food made of flour, water and yeast, mixed together and baked 2. (Informal) Money Bred: manner of upbringing – the past tense of breed
Broach: To raise (a sensitive) a subject for discussion Brooch: An ornamental fastened to clothing with a hinged pin and catch This is The Complete List of Homonyms beginning with B.
Cache: A hidden store of things Cash: Money in coins or notes
Cannon: 1. A large, heavy piece of artill ery formerly used in warfare 2. (Billiards or snooker) A stroke in which the cue ball strikes two balls successfully 3. Collide with something forcefully or at an angle Canon: 1. A general rule or principle by which something is judged 2. The degree or the law of a Church 3. A collection or the l ist of sacred books accepted as genuine
Canvas: A strong coarse unbleached cloth used to make sails, tents etc… and as a surface for oil painting Canvass: 1. Solicit votes from voters 2. Propose an idea or a plan for discussion
Capital: 1. The most important city or a town of a country or a region, usually the seat of government and administration 2. Wealth owned by a person or an association or invested, lent or borrowed 3. A capital letter 4. (Of an offence or charge) Liable to attract the death penalty Capitol: 1. (In the USA) A building housing a legislative assembly 2. (The Capitol) The temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome
Carat: 1. A unit of weight for precious stones and pearls, equivalent to 200 milligrams 2. (USA spelling of karat) A measure of the purity of Gold, pure gold being 24 carats Caret:A proofreader’s mark (^) placed below a line of text to indicate a proposed insertion or correction Carrot: A tapering orange-colored root eaten as a vegetable
Cast: 1. Throw forcefully in a specified direction 2. Cause (light or shadow) to appear on a surface 3. Discard 4. Shape (metal or other material) by pouring into a mould while molten 5. Register( a vote) 6. Throw the hooked and baited end of a fishing line into the water 7. cast a magic spell to take effect 8. The actors taking part in a play or film
Caste: 1. each of hereditary classes of Hindu society, distinguished by relative degrees of ritual purity or pollution (untouchables) and of social status
2. (In some social insects) A physically distinct kind of individual with a particular function(Entomology)
Cede: Give up (power or territory) Seed: A plant’s unit of reproduction through which another plant is capable of growing
Cell:
1. A small room in which a prisoner is kept locked or in which a monk or a nun sleeps 2. A small group of people forming a nucleus of a political party 3. A device containing electrodes immersed in electrolyte, used for current generation or electrolysis Sell: Give or hand over in exchange for money
Censor: An official who examines material that is to b e published or a film that is to be screened and deletes or edits parts considered offensive to societal sensibilities or a threat to the security of the societ y Sensor : A device which detects or measures a physical property
Cite:
1. Quote (a book or author) as evidence for an argument or belief 2. Praise for a courageous act in an official dispatch
Sight:
1. The faculty or the power of seeing 2. The action or the fact of seeing someone or something Site:
1. An area of ground on which something is located 2. The place where a particular event or activity is occurring or has oc curred
Coarse:
1. Rough or harsh in texture, unrefined 2. (Of a person’s features) Not elegantly formed or well proportioned 3. (Of a person’s character or his speech) Rude or vulgar Course:
1. The route or direction followed b y a ship, aircraft, road or a river 2. The way in which something progresses or develops 3. A dish forming one of the successive parts of meal 4. A series or lectures or lessons in a particular subject 5. An area of land prepared for racing, golf or any other sport
Complacent : Smug and uncritically satisfied with oneself or one’s achievemen ts, self -satisfied Complaisant : Willingness to please others or to accept their behavior withou t protest
Complement:
1. A thing that contributes extra features to something else and thereby enhances and improves it 2. The number or quantity the makes something complete Compliment: A polite expression of praise or admiration
Conch: A tropical marine mollusk Conk :
1. (Of a machine) break down 2. Faint or go to sleep or die
Coo:
1. (Of a pigeon or dove) Make a softy murmuring sound 2. (Of a person) To speak in a soft and gentle voice Coup:
1. A sudden and violent seizure of power from a government 2. An unexpected and notably successful act Dammed: Hold back or obstruct to prevent water from flowing Damned: 1. (Informal) used to emphasis one’s anger or frustration
2. Cursed
Days: Two or more days Daze: Make unable to think react properly, a state of stunned confusion
Dew: Tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night when atmospheric vapor condenses Due:
1. Expected at, planned for or required by a certain time 2. Proper, appropriate 3. fees (Dues)
Discreet:
1. Careful or prudent in speech or actions, especially in order to avoid giving offense or attracting attention 2. Unobtrusive
Discrete: Individually separate or distinct
Doe:
1. A female deer 2. A female hare, rabbit, rat, ferret or kangaroo Dough:
1. A thick malleable mixture of flour and liquid(water or milk) for basking into bread or pastry 2. (Informal) Money
Doc: The short form of the word Doc tor, a physician Dock:
1. An enclosed area of water in a port for the loading, unloading and repair of ships 2. To come or bring (a ship) into a dock 3. The enclosure in a criminal court where the defendant stand sits 4. Deduct(money or point in a score) 5. Cut short(an animal’s tail)
Draft:
1. A preliminary version of a piece o f writing, a plan or sketch 2. A written order to pay a specified amount 3. (the draft) Compulsory recruitment for military service(USA) Draught :
1. A current of cool air in a room of in a confined place 2. A single act of drinking or inhaling 3. Denoting beer served from a cask rather than from a bottle or a can
4. Denoting an animal for pulling heavy loads
Dual: Consisting of two parts, elements or aspects Duel:
1. (Historical) A pre-arranged contest with deadly weapons between two persons to settle a point of honor 2. (Modern) A contest between two part ies
Ewe: A female sheep Yew: A coniferous tree
Eyelet: A small round hole in leather or cloth for threading a lace, string o r rope through Islet
Faint: To pass out or become unconscious Feint: A deceptive or pretended blow, thrust or attacking movement, especially in boxing or fencing
Fair:
1. Treating people equally just or appropriate in the circumstances 2. (Of hair or complexion) light 3. Considerable in size or amount, moderately good 4. (Of weather) Fine and dry 5. A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment 6. A periodic gathering for the sale of goods Fare:
1. The money a passenger on public tr ansport has to pay 2. A range of fare
3. To perform in a specified way in a particular situation or period
Farrow :
1. A litter of pigs 2. (Of a sow) to give birth to piglets Pharaoh: Egyptian kings of ancient times
Faze: (usually with the negative) Disturb or disconcert (I nformal) Phase: A part of the sequence, a particular period
Feat: An achievement or accomplishment Feet: The plural form of foot-the lower e xtremity of the leg below the angle
Feted: Honored or entertained lavishly Fetid: Smelling unpleasant
Few: Not many, less in number Phew: An expression of relief, usually with an exc lamation mark
Flair:
1. Natural ability or talent 2. Stylishness Flare:
1. A sudden brief burst of flames or light 2. A device producing a very bright flames as a signal or marker 3. A sudden burst of intense emotion or anger
4. A gradual widening towards the hem of t he garments
Flea: A small wingless jumping insect which feeds on the blood of mammals and birds Flee: To run away
Flour: A powder obtained by grinding grains, used to m ake bread, cakes and pastries Flower: A bloom of a plant
Foreword: The introduction to a book Forward: To move ahead
Foul:
1. Offensive to the senses 2. Contrary to the rules of a sport 3. Polluted or contaminated Fowl: A domesticated bird derived from a jungle fowl and kept for its egg or meat, a cock or hen
Gait: A person’s manner of walking Gate: A hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence or hedge
Gild: To cover or coat thinly with guild Gilled: Having gills-the paired respiratory organ of fish and some am phibians through which oxygen is extracted from
water Guild: An association of people in pursuit of a common guild or mutual aid
Gin: An alcoholic beverage Jinn: (In Arabian and Islamic mythology) An intelligent spirit that can appear in human and animal form(also spelt djinn)
Grill:
1. A device on a cooker that radiates heat downwards for cooking food 2. A gridiron used for cooking food on an open fire 3. A dish of food, particularly meat cooked using a grill 4. (Informal) Subject someone to intense questioning or interrogat ion Hail :
1. pellets of frozen rain falling in showers 2. A large number of things that are hurled forcefully through the air 3. Call out someone to attract attention 4. Acclaim enthusiastically as something 5. Have one’s origins or home in (to hail from) Hale: (Usually referring to an old person) Strong and healthy (hale and healthy)
Hall : A large room Haul:
1. To pull or drag with effort o r force 2. A quantity of something obtained, especially illegally 3. A number of fish caught at one time(a good haul) 4. A distance to be traveled(it is a long haul)
Hangar: A garage for aircraft Hanger: A shaped piece of wood, plastic or metal with a hook at the top, meant for hanging clothes
Heal: To cure a disease
Heel: The hind part of the foot
Heard:
1. Sound picked by the ear 2. To be told or informed about Herd: Large group of animals, espec ially hoofed mammals that live together or are kept toge ther
Hoard:
1. A store of money or valued objects 2. To amass and hide or store away(wealth or money) Horde:
1. (Mainly derogatory) A large group of people 2. An army or tribe of nomadic warriors
Hoes: More than one long handled gardening tool with a thin metal blade, used mainly for weeding Hose:
1. A flexible tube conveying water used primarily for watering plants and firefighting 2. To water or spray with a hose
Holy: Something considered true, sacred and pure w ith religious significance Wholly: Completely, fully and entirely
Humerus: The bone of the upper arm or forelimb, between the shoulder and the elbow - also called the funny bone Humorous : causing amusement, funny, having or showing a sense of humor Idle:
1. Avoiding work, lazy 2. (Of money) Held in cash or in an account paying no interest
3. Having no purpose or basis (idle boast/ threat) Idol:
1. An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship 2. Something or someone that is adulated(A sports idol) Idyll:
1. A period or situation that is blissful 2. A picturesque scene or incident described in short in verse or prose
In:
1. Something that is enclosed or surrounded 2. Referring to a period of time during which an incident took place 3. Expressing the condition of inclusion or involvement Inn: A hotel or public house, traditionally also providing food and lodging
Inc: The short form or abbreviation for incorporated Ink: A colored fluid that is used for writing, drawing or printing
Incite: To encourage or stir up (behavior t hat is violent and unlawful) Insight:
1. The ability or capacity to gain an ac curate, deep and intuitive understanding of something 2. An understanding of the above kind Jean:
1. A heavy twilled cotton cloth. Especially denim 2. A pair of jeans Gene: (Biology) A hereditary unit that is transferred from parent to offspring and which determines the c haracteristics of
the offspring, particularly a distinct sequence of DNA forming part of chromosomes
Jack: An English or Christian name Jack:
1. A device used for lifting heavy o bjects, especially one for raising the axle of a motor vehicle 2. Playing card bearing an image of soldier, page or knave and normally ranking below the queen Knead:
1. To work dough or clay with t he hands 2. Massage as if kneading Need: Something one must have, something required
Knight:
1. (Middle Ages)A man elevated to honorable military rank after service as a page or squire 2. A man devoted to the cause or service of a woman(poetic or literary) 3. A chess piece, shaped like a horse’s head, that moves by jumping to the opposite cor ner of a rectangle two squares by
three Night:
1. The time from sunset to sunrise 2. The darkness of the night
Knot:
1. Fastening that is made by looping a piece of string, rope, etc.. on itself and tightening it 2. A hard lump of bodily tissue 3. A small group of people 4. A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, used for ships, aircraft or wind
Naught :
1. the digit zero 2. Nothing Not: A word denoting negation Lacks: A thing that does not have or is devoid of Lax:
1. relaxed (of muscles) 2. Not sufficient strict, severe(in discipline) or careful
Lessen: To reduce or bring down in number Lesson: A thing that learnt, a period of learning or teaching
Liar : A person who tells lies or falsehoods Lyre: A stringed instrument, used especially in ancient Gre ece
Lichen:
1. A fungus that grows on rocks, walls and trees 2. A skin disease in which small, round, hard lesions occur close together Liken: To compare (to something)
Lightening: To reduce the weight of something Lightning: A brief, natural, high-voltage electrical discharge between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud
accompanied by a bright flash and often with thunder also
Load:
1. heavy or bulky thing that is being carr ied
2. A weight or source of pressure 3. The amount of work that is to be done by a person or by a machine Lode: A vein of metal ore in the earth
Loan:
1. A thing or an amount that is borrowed, particularly a sum that is supposed to be paid back with interest 2. The act of lending Lone: By itself, the only one or being along with out any company of other person
Main: Chief in size or importance Mane: The growth of long hair on the neck of a horse, lion or other animals, a person’s long hair
Maize: A cereal plant that yields corn Maze:
1. A net work of paths and hedges designed as a puzzle through which a person has to find his way 2. A confusing mass of information
Mall:
1. A large enclosed shopping area where traffic is not permitted 2. A sheltered walk or promenade Maul:
1. (of an animal) To wound by scratching or tear ing 2. Handle or treat savagely and roughly Moll: 1. A gangster’s female companion
2. A prostitute or commercial sex worker
Manner:
1. A specific way in which something is done or happens 2. A style in literature of in art 3. A person’s outward bearing or w ay of behaving with others Manor:
1. A large country house with lands 2. (Historical) A unit of land, usually a feudal land ship, consi sting of a lord’s demesne and lands rented to tenants 3. (Informal) One’s home territory or area of o peration
Medal: A medal disc with an inscription or design awarded to acknowledge distinctive achievement or made to
commemorate an event Meddle: To interfere in something t hat does not concern one (usually meddle in/with)
Might:
1. Expressing the possibility of something 2. Great power or strength Mite:
1. A tiny arachnid with four pairs of leg s 2. A small child or an animal 3. A very small amount
Miner: A person who works in mines Minor: With little importance, seriousness or significance
Naval: Of, in or relating to navy or navies Navel: 1. Rounded knotty depression in the center o f a person’s belly caused by the detachment of the umbilical cord after
birth, the umbilicus 2. The central point of a place
Nay: no, a negative answer Neigh: A horse’s cry
None: not any, no one Nun: A member of a female religious community (usually Christians), A person living under vows of chastity, obedience
and poverty Oar: A pole with a flat blade that is used to row or steer a boat through the water Ore: naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted
Oh: An exclamation of surprise or interjection Owe:
1. Have an obligation to pay money or goods to someone in return for something received 2. To be under a moral obligation to show gratitude, respect etc.. to offer an explanation to someone
Ordinance: An authoritative order Ordnance:
1. mounted guns or cannons 2. A government’s department dealing especially with military stores and mate rial
Our: belonging to or associated with the speaker and one or more persons previously mentioned or easily identified
Hour:
1. A period of time equal to t wenty fourth part of a day and divided into 60 m inutes 2. A time of a day specified as an exact number of hours from midnight or midday 3. Period set aside for a particular purpose or marked by a specific activity(e.g. work hours or leisure hours)
Overdo: To use too much of, exaggerate Overdue: Past the time when due or scheduled, not having arrived, been born etc... at the expected time Pail : A bucket Pale:
1. Containing little color or pigment, light in c olor (a person’s face) having little color, usually due to shock, fear or ill ness 2. Unimpressive or inferior ( a pale imitation) 3. Seem or become less important (to pale in comparison) 4. A wooden stake used with others to form a fence 5. A boundary (lie outside the pale of morality)
Pain:
1. Strong unpleasant and hurting bodily sensation such as one caused by illness or injury 2. Mental suffering or distress Pane:
1. A single sheet of glass in a window or door 2. A sheet or page of stamps
Pair: A set of two Pare:
1. Trim by cutting away the edges
2. Reduce or diminish in a number of small successive stage s Pear: A yellowish or brownish green edible fruit, the tree that bears this fruit
Palate:
1. The roof of the mouth, separating t he cavities of the mouth and nose verte brates 2. A person’s ability to distinguish between and appreciate flavors
3. The flavor of a wine or beer Palette:
1. A thin board or other surface on which an artist lays and mixes colors 2. The range of colors used by a particular artist in a particular time 3. The range of tonal or instrumental colors in a musical piece Pallet:
1. A straw mattress 2. A crude or makeshift bed 3. A portable platform on which goods can be moved, stacked and stored 4. A flat wooden blade with a handle that is used to shape clay or plaster
Pause: A temporary stop in action or speech Paws: 1. An animal’s foot having claws and pads 2. (Informal) A person’s hands
Pea: A round green seed eaten as a vegetable, the leguminous plant which yields pods containing peas Pee:
1. To urinate 2. Urine
Peak:
1. The pointed top of the mountain 2. A point in a curve or on a graph 3. The point of highest activity or achieveme nt Peek:
1. To look quickly or furtively 2. Protrude slightly so as to be just visible Pique: 1. A feeling of irritation or rese ntment resulting from a slight, particularly to one’s pride 2. Stimulate one’s interest or curiosity
Peal:
1. Loud ringing of bells 2. A loud repeated or reverberating sound of thunder or laughter Peel:
1. Remove the outer covering or skin from a fruit or vegetable 2. The outer covering or skin of a fruit or vegetable
Pedal:
1. Each of a pair of foot-operated levers for moving a bicycle or other vehicle propelled by leg-power 2. To move a bicycle by working ob the pedals Peddle:
1. Sell goods by going from place to place 2. Sell an illegal goods or drugs 3. (Derogatory) Promote an idea or view persistently
Plain:
1. Simple and ordinary, not decorated or elaborate 2. easy to perceive or understand Plane:
1. A flat surface on which a straight line joining any two points would wholly lie 2. Completely even or flat 3. A level of existence or thought
Pray:
1. Address a prayer to God 2. Wish or hope earnestly for specific out come Prey:
1. An animal hunted or killed by another animal for food 2. Hunt or kill for food 3. Exploit or injure, cause trouble to
Principal:
1. First in order of importance, main 2. Denoting the original sum of money invested or lent 3. The head of a school or a college
4. (Law) A person directly responsible for a crime (the principal accused) Principle:
1. A fundamental truth or proportion serving as the foundation for belief or action 2. Morally correct behavior and attitude 3. A fundamental source or basis for something 4. (Chemistry) An active or characteristic constituent of a substance Quarts : Several units of liquid capacity equal to quarter of a gallon or two pints, equivalent to approximately, in Britain,
1.13 litres and in the USA to approximately 0.94 litres Quartz : A hard mineral consisting of silica, typically occurring as colorless or white hexagonal prisms
Queue: A line or sequence of people or vehicles awaiting their turn to be attended to or to proceed Cue: A signal or prompt for action Rain:
1. The condensed moisture of the atmosphere falling visibly to earth in separate drops 2. A large quantity of things falling or descending Rein: 1. A long, narrow strap attached at one end to a horse’s bit, typically used in pairs to guide or c heck a horse in riding or
driving 2. To check or guide a horse by tugging on its reins 3. (Reins)The power to direct and control Reign:
1. To rule as a monarch or a king 2. The period of rule of monarch 3. The period during which someone or something is predominant or pre -eminent
Raise:
1. Lift or move to a higher position or level 2. Construct or build(a structure) 3. Increase the amount, level or strength of 4. Promote to higher level 5. Cause to be heard or felt, considered 6. Generate (a bill, invoice) 7. Collect or levy(money or resources) 8. Bring up a child 9. Breed or grow(animals or plants) 10. Wake up from sleep or bring back from death 11. Abandon or force to abandon (a blockade, embargo, siege etc…) Raze: Tear down and destroy (a building, town, village etc…) Rise: Get up, stand up, come up, come out etc…
Rap: A sharp knock, to strike with a series of rapid audible blows Wrap:
1. Cover or enclose in paper or soft material 2. (Informal) Finish or conclude something
Read: To look at and comprehend the meaning of written or printed matter by interpreting the character or symbols of
which it is composed, speak aloud (the written or printed matter) Reed: A tall, slender-leaved plant of the grass family that grows in water or on m arshy ground
Roe:
1. The mass of eggs contained in t he ovaries of a female fish or shellfish, especially when ripe and used as food
2. A small deer with a reddish summer coat that turns grayish in water Row:
1. A number of people or things in a more or less straight line 2. Propel a boat with oars 3. (Informal) A heated quarrel 4. A loud noise or uproar
Root: A temporary stop in action or in speech Route: A way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination, a path of travel
Rot:
1. Decompose by action of bacteria and fungi, decay 2. The process of decaying 3. Gradually deteriorate or decline Wrought : (Of metal) beaten out or shaped by hammering
Rote: Mechanical or habitual repetition Wrote: Has written, past tense of write
Rude: Impolite, without manners and a sense of etiquette Rued: Regretted, to have felt sorry about Sachet: A small sealed bag or packet containing a limited quantity of something Sashay:
1. Walk ostentatiously, with exaggerated hip and shoulder movements 2. Perform the sashay
Seam: A line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together in a garment or other article Seem: Give the impression of being
Sear:
1. Burn or scorch with sudden intense heat 2. (Of pain) Be experienced as a sudden burning sensation Seer:
1. A person of supposed supernatural insight who sees visions of the future 2. An enlightened person or one who has attained nirvana 3. A varying unit of weight (about one kilo gram) or liquid measure (about one litre), used in the Indian subcontinent
Serf : (During feudal times) An agricultural laborer who has bonded to working on a particular estate Surf :
1. The mass or line of foam formed by waves breaking on a seashore or reef 2. Stand or lie on the surf board and ride on the crest of a wave towards the shore 3. To be occupied by moving from one we b site to another on the internet
Shear:
1. To cut the wool off a sheep or other animal 2. Break off or cause to break of , owing to structural strain Sheer:
1. Nothing other than, unmitigated (sheer bad luck) 2. Perpendicular or nearly so(of a cliff or a wall) 3. Very thin (Of fabric)
4. Swerve or charge course quickly(especially a boat)
Sic: Written exactly as it appears in the original (used after a copied or quoted word) Sick:
1. Affected by physical or mental illness 2. Feeling nauseous or wanting to vomit 3. Bored, weary or tired of(Especially through excessive exposure) 4. (Of humor) Dealing offensively with unpleasant or upsetting objects 5. Having abnormal or unnatural 6. tendencies(especially sexual)
Slay: To kill or murder someone Sleigh:
1. A sledge drawn by horses or reindeers 2. To ride on sledge
Soar:
1. Fly or rise high into air 2. Increase rapidly above the usual level Sore:
1. Painful or aching 2. Upset and angry 3. Severe, urgent
Sole:
1. The underside of a person’s foot
2. The underside of a tool or an implement 3. One and only Soul:
1. The spiritual or immaterial part of a human, regarded as immortal 2. A person who is regarded as the embodiment of some equality
Stake: A wooden pole Steak: A slice of meat
Stationary:
1. Not moving 2. Not changing in quantity or condition Stationery: Paper or other material needed for wiring
Storey: A floor or part of a building comprising all the rooms those are on the same level Story:
1. An account of imagination or real people and e vents told for entertainment 2. An account of past events, experiences, etc…
3. (Informal) A lie
Succor: Assistance or support during the time of hardship or distress Sucker : (Informal) A gullible person or one whom it is easy t o deceive
Suite: A set of rooms for one person’s or his family’s use or fo r a particular purpose, especially in a hotel
Sweet:
1. With the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey, not salty, sour, bitte r 2. (Of air, water, etc…) Fresh, pure, untainted
3. Pleasing in general, delightful 4. (Of a person) Pleasant and kind or thoughtful 5. A small piece of confectionary made of sugar 6. A sweet dish forming a course of a meal 7. A pudding or dessert
Sundae: A dish of ice with added such as fruit, nuts and syrup or chocolates Sunday: The day of the week before Monday and after Saturday, observed as a day of rest and religious workshop
Symbol:
1. A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract 2. A mark or character used as a conventional representation of something Cymbal: A musical instrument consisting of a slightly concave round brass plate that is either struck against one another
or struck with a stick Taught: past tense of teach Taut:
1. Stretched or pulled tight 2. (Of writing, music etc…) Concise and controlled
3. (Of a ship) Having a disciplined crew
Team:
1. A group of players forming one side in a competitive game or sport 2. Two or more people working together
Teem: Be full of or swarming with
Throne: A ceremonial chair for a monarc h, bishop or similar figure Thrown: To be hurled
Tic: A habitual spasmodic contraction of the muscles, most often in the face Tick:
1. A mark that indicates a textual item is correct or has been checked or chosen 2. A regular short, sharp sound especially that made every second by a clock or by a watch 3. A parasitic arachnid that attaches itself to the skin, from where it sucks blood 4. (Informal) A worthless or contemptible person
Here You could find any type of Homonym to c larify your doubt.
Tighten: To make tighter or better fitting Titan:
1. Any member of a family of giant gods in Greek mythology 2. A person or thing of great strength, intellect or importance
Timber : Wood meant for use in building and carpentry Timbre: The character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity
Troop:
1. A soldiers or members of the armed forces 2. A cavalry unit commanded by a captain 3. A group of people or animals of a particular kind
Troup:A group of dancers, actors or other entertainers who move from place to place performing at different venues Urn: 1. A tall, rounded vase with a stem and base, especially one for storing a cremated person’s ashes
2. A large metal container with a tap in which tea or coffee is made and kept hot Earn: Obtain (Money) in return for labor or services, gain (Money) as interest or profit (of capital invested)
Use: Treat in a particular manner, take hold or employ as means of accomplishing something Ewes: female sheep Vain:
1. A person who has or shows an excessively high opinions of his/her appearance and abilities 2. Useless Vein:
1. Any of the tubes forming a part of the circulatory system by which blood is conveyed to all parts of the body towards the heart 2. In plants, a slender rib that forms part of the supporting framework of a wing 3. A distinctive quality, style or tendency(he was speaking in a humorous vein)
Vale: A valley Veil:
1. A fine material worn to protect or conceal, particularly used by woman 2. A thing that conceals, disguises or obscures
Verses:
1. Writing that is arranged in a metrical rhythm 2. A group of lines that form a unit in a poem or song 3. Each of the short numbered divisions of a c hapter in the Bible or other sc riptures
Versus: Against, as opposed to, in contrast to especially used in sporting and legal context)
Wade: Walk through any liquid or viscous substance Weighed: To have one’s weight taken
Wail:
1. A prolonged and high-pitched cry of pain, grief o r anger 2. Cry out or utter a wail Wale:
1. A ridge on a textured woven fabric such as corduroy 2. A horizontal band around a woven basket 3. (Nautical) A horizontal wooden strip fitted to strengthen a boat’s side Whale: A very large mammal and the largest creature on earth
Waist :
1. The part of the human body that lies below the ribs and above the hips 2. The narrow portion in the middle of something Waste:
1. To use carelessly, extravagantly or without specific purpose 2. Be unable to make proper or good use of 3. To become progressively weaker and thinner(to waste away)
Waive: To refrain from insisting upon or enforcing/applying a right or c laim Wave:
1. To move the hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal
2. Style hair so that it curls slightly 3. A ridge of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore or between two depressions in open w ater 4. A sudden occurrence of or increase in a specified phenomenon or emotion
Want: To have a desire to do or possess something Wont: Accustomed to, one’s customary behavior or habit
Wet:
1. Covered or saturated with a liquid 2. (Of paint, ink, etc…) Not yet dry or hardened
3. (British informal) Lacking forcefulness or strength of character 4. (informal, of an area) Allowing the free sale of alcoholic drinks Whet:
1. To sharpen the blade of a tool or weapon 2. To excite or stimulate(a person’s desire, interest or appetite)
Whine:
1. A long high-pitched complaining cry 2. A feeble or petulant complaint 3. To complain in a feeble or in a petulant manner Wine: An alcoholic drink that is made from fermente d grape juice
Who’s: A contraction of who is or who has Whose: (Interrogative) Belonging to or associated w ith which person is related Xi: The fourteenth letter of Greek alphabet, transliterated as X
Psi:
1. The twenty third letter of Greek alphabet, transliterated as Ps 2. Supposed Para-psychological or psychic faculties or phenomena Yack: A variant spelling of Yak –denoting a trivial or unduly persistent conversation (informal) Yak: A large ox with shaggy hair, humped shoulders and large horns that is used in Tibet as a pack animal and also for its
meat, milk and hides
Yoke:
1. A wooden crosspiece fastened over t he necks of two animal and attached to a plough or cart that pull together 2. A frame fitted over the neck or shoulders of a person, used for carrying pails or baskets Yolk: The internal yellow part of a bird’s eg g
http://www.english-for-students.com/Homonyms-B.html
acts/ax
faze/phase
pause/paws
ad/add
feat/feet
pea/pee
ads/adds/adz
find/fined
peace/piece
aid/aide
fir/fur
peak/peek/pique
ail/ale
flair/flare
peal/peel
air/heir/err
flea/flee
pearl/purl
aisle/isle/I'll
flew/flu/flue
pedal/peddle/petal
all/awl
flour/flower
peer/pier
all ready/already
flocks/phlox
per/purr
all together/altogether
for/four/fore
pi/pie
allowed/aloud
foreword/forward
plait/plate
alter/altar
fort/forte
plain/plane
ant/aunt
forth/fourth
pleas/please
arc/ark
foul/fowl
plum/plumb
assent/ascent
friar/fryer
pole/poll
assistance/assistants
gait/gate
pore/pour
ate/eight
gene/jean
pray/prey
aural/oral
gild/guild
presence/presents
away/aweigh
gilt/guilt
prince/prints
aye/eye
gnu/knew/new
principal/principle
bail/bale
gored/gourd
profit/prophet
bait/bate
gorilla/guerilla
rack/wrack
ball/bawl
grate/great
rain/reign/rein
band/banned
grease/Greece
raise/rays/raze
bard/barred
groan/grown
rap/wrap
bare/bear
guessed/guest
rapped/rapt/wrapped
baron/barren
hail/hale
read/red
base/bass
hair/hare
read/reed
bases/basis
hall/haul
real/reel
bazaar/bizarre
halve/have
reek/wreak
be/bee
hangar/hanger
rest/wrest
beach/beech
hay/hey
retch/wretch
beat/beet
heal/heel/he'll
review/revue
beau/bow
hear/here
right/rite/write
bell/belle
heard/herd
ring/wring
berry/bury
heed/he'd
road/rode/rowed
billed/build
hertz/hurts
roam/Rome
berth/birth
hew/hue/Hugh
roe/row
bite/byte
hi/high
role/roll
blew/blue
higher/hire
root/route
bloc/block
him/hymn
rose/rows
boar/bore
hoard/horde
rote/wrote
board/bored
hoarse/horse
rough/ruff
boarder/border
hole/whole
rung/wrung
bode/bowed
holey/holy/wholly
rye/wry
bolder/boulder
hoes/hose
sail/sale
born/borne
hold/holed
scene/seen
bough/bow
hostel/hostile
scull/skull
bouillon/bullion
hour/our
sea/see
boy/buoy
idle/idol
seam/seem
bread/bred
illicit/elicit
seas/sees/seize
brake/break
in/inn
serf/surf
brewed/brood
insight/incite
sew/so/sow
brews/bruise
instance/instants
shear/sheer
bridle/bridal
intense/intents
shoe/shoo
broach/brooch
its/it's
shone/shown
browse/brows
jam/jamb
side/sighed
but/butt
colonel/kernel
sighs/size
buy/by/bye
knap/nap
slay/sleigh
cache/cash
knead/kneed/need
sleight/slight
callous/callus
knight/night
slew/slue/slough
cannon/canon
knit/nit
soar/sore
canvas/canvass
knot/not
soared/sword
capital/capitol
know/no
sole/soul
carat/carrot/caret/karat
knows/nose
some/sum
carol/carrel
laid/lade
son/sun
cast/caste
lain/lane
staid/stayed
cede/seed
lay/lei
stair/stare
ceiling/sealing
leach/leech
stake/steak
cell/sell
lead/led
stationary/stationery
cellar/seller
leak/leek
steal/steel
censor/sensor
lean/lien
step/steppe
cent/scent/sent
leased/least
stile/style
cents/scents/sense
lee/lea
straight/strait
cereal/serial
lessen/lesson
suite/sweet
cession/session
levee/levy
surge/serge
chance/chants
liar/lier/lyre
tacks/tax
chased/chaste
lichen/liken
tail/tale
cheap/cheep
lie/lye
taught/taut
chews/choose
lieu/Lou
tea/tee
chic/sheik
links/lynx
team/teem
chilly/chili
load/lode
tear/tier
choral/coral
loan/lone
tern/turn
choir/quire
locks/lox
their/there/they're
chute/shoot
loot/lute
theirs/there's
chord/cord
low/lo
threw/through
cite/sight/site
made/maid
thrown/throne
clause/claws
mail/male
thyme/time
click/clique
main/mane/Maine
tic/tick
close/clothes/cloze
maize/maze
tide/tied
coal/cole
mall/maul
to/too/two
coarse/course
manner/manor
toad/towed
colonel/kernel
mantel/mantle
toe/tow
complement/compliment
marry/merry/Mary
told/tolled
coo/coup
marshal/martial
trussed/trust
coop/coupe
massed/mast
vain/vane/vein
core/corps
maybe/may be
vale/veil
correspondence/correspondents meat/meet/mete
vary/very
council/counsel
medal/metal/mettle/meddle vial/vile
creak/creek
might/mite
vice/vise
crews/cruise
mince/mints
wade/weighed
cruel/crewel
mind/mined
wail/whale
cue/queue
miner/minor
waist/waste
currant/current
missed/mist
wait/weight
curser/cursor
moan/mown
waive/wave
cymbal/symbol
mode/mowed
want/wont
dam/damn
moose/mousse
ware/wear/where
days/daze
morn/mourn
way/weigh/whey
dear/deer
muscle/mussel
ways/weighs
defused/diffused
mustard/mustered
we/wee
desert (abandon)/dessert
naval/navel
weak/week
dew/do/due
nay/neigh
we'll/wheel
die/dye
none/nun
weather/whether
disburse/disperse
oar/or/ore
we'd/weed
discreet/discrete
ode/owed
we've/weave
doe/dough/do (musical note)
oh/owe
wet/whet
done/dun
one/won
which/witch
draft/draught
overdo/overdue
while/wile
dual/duel
overseas/oversees
whine/wine
earn/urn
pail/pale
who's/whose
ewe/you/yew
pain/pane
wood/would
eye/I
pair/pare/pear
yoke/yolk
faint/feint
palate/palette/pallet
yore/your/you're
fair/fare
passed/past
you'll/Yule
faun/fawn
patience/patients
What's the Difference Between Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs?
If you are confused about the differences between homonyms, homophones, and homographs, you're in the right place to get it straightened out!
Homonyms
This is the big category — the umbrella — under which we find homophones and homographs.
Homophones
Homophones are words that sound alike, but have different meanings and spellings. They are the sets of words that you probably learned in elementary school, though your teacher may have used the broader category of homonyms.
Introducing yourself
Hello. My name is … Hi. I’m … Nice to meet you. I’m … Pleased to meet you. I’m … It’s a pleasure to see you. I’m… May I introduce myself? I’m… How do you do? My name is… Let me introduce myself. I’m … I’d like to introduce myself. I’m …
Introducing others:
John, I’d like to introduce you to Mary. John, please meet Mary. John, I’d like you to meet Mary. John, have you met Mary? John, let me introduce you to Mary. John, this is Mary. Mary, this is John.
Useful responses when introducing yourself or other people:
Nice to meet you. I’m pleased to meet you. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Glad to meet you. How do you do?
Making promises: I promise that I will finish the job on time. I promise you that that’s the truth. I swear I will never leave you. I swear I won’t let you down. I assure you that I will return the book tomorrow morning. I assure you that I will be there on time. Believe me, I won’t make you disappointed. Trust me, I can do it. Useful Responses:
Thank you. I believe you. All right. Keep your promise. I hope you will keep your words. Just let the time answer it.
General greetings (Formal)
Hello Good morning/ Good afternoon/ Good evening How are you? How are you doing? Nice to meet you It’s nice to meet you I’m pleased to meet you. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m glad to see you. How do you do? General greetings (Informal)
Hi Hey What’s up? How’s it going? How have you been? What’s new? What’s going on? How are things? How’s your day? How’s your day going? Good to see you. Greeting someone you haven’t seen for a long time.
Long time no see. It’s been a while. It’s been a long time. It’s been such a long time. It’s been too long. I’m so happy to see you again. Wow, it’s so good to see you again! What have you been up to? Useful responses when greeting people
I’m doing very well, thank you. And you? I’m fine, thank you.
Great, thanks. How are you? Not bad. You? Couldn’t be better? How about you? Wonderful, thank you. Different ways to say goodbye in English
Goodbye Bye Bye for now! See you! See you soon! See you later! Talk to you later! Catch up with you later. I hope to see you soon. See you next time. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. It was nice meeting you. It’s been really nice knowing you. It has been a pleasure, we’ll speak soon. It was really great to see you, catch you later. All the best, bye. Take care! Stay in touch. I’m really going to miss you. I’ve got to go now. Apologies Expressions
I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… I’m very sorry… I’m terribly sorry… Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. Sorry about that. Can you forgive me? I apologize for… Please forgive me. I owe you an apology. You can blame me for this. How should I apologize to you? I beg your pardon. Sorry, it’s my fault. Sorry for keeping you waiting. Sorry, I’m late! To accept an apology, you can use these sentences and expressions:
That’s all right! Don’t worry about it. Forget it!
No problem. Never mind. It doesn’t really matter. No big thing. It’s not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself. Think nothing of it. Express thanks and gratitude:
Thank you. Thanks. Thank you very much. Thanks a lot! Many thanks. Sincerely thanks. Thank you so much! Thanks a million for your help. I really appreciate your help. You are so kind. I don’t know how to express my thanks. There are no words to show my appreciation! What you’ve done means a lot to me. That’s so kind of you. You’ve made my day. I owe you a great deal Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. How can I ever possibly thank you?
Useful Responses:
You’re welcome! It was my pleasure. My pleasure. Don’t mention it. Forget it. No big deal. It’s was nothing. Think nothing of it. I’m glad that I can help you.
Talking About Time What time is it? What’s the time? Could you tell me the time? Do you know what time it is? How long have you been waiting?
Do you have free time this afternoon? What time can we meet? What should we do to kill time? It’s ten o’clock. It’s midnight. It’s 6 A.M now. See you at 8 P.M. I can’t tell you exactly what time we will arrive. It’s too late now. My watch is stopped. My watch is slow. Don’t waste your time doing nothing. I didn’t think it was so late. We have plenty of time. Give me a little more time. It’s time to leave. It’s almost time to go home. Time went by so fast. The supermarket opens at 9 a.m. The class starts at 8 in the morning.
Do you speak English? Can you speak English? How long have you been learning English? Could you speak up a little, please? Could you please say that again? Could you please repeat that? Would you mind spelling that for me? How do you pronounce this word? What do you mean by this? I’m sorry, what do you mean? What is this thing called in English? How many languages can you speak? I speak a little English. I can speak English very well. Your English is excellent. I wish I could speak English fluently like you. Please speak slowly. Please repeat what you said. I’m afraid to speak English. Sorry, my English is not quite good. How often do you speak English? I can read English very well, but I can’t speak. I would like to improve my English speaking. You have good pronunciation. Giving Compliments:
Good job! Well done!
Fantastic! Perfect! That’s great! Nice work! Excellent! That’s really remarkable. Good grades! What a nice dress! You look great. This dish is delicious. You look very good in that suit. This tie looks nice on you. You have a nice voice. You look very handsome. I like your haircut. What a beautiful house! What a nice apartment! I really must express my admiration for your speech.
Receiving compliments:
How kind of you to say so. It’s nice of you to say so. It’s very kind of you to say that. Really? I’m not sure about that, actually. Thank you. Thanks a lot. I’m glad you like it. It was nothing really. I’m delighted to hear that. Thanks for your compliment.
Making a complaint
I’m sorry to say this but… I hate to tell you but… I’m angry about… I have a complaint to make… There seems to be a problem with… I’m afraid there is a slight problem with… Sorry to bother you but… I’m not satisfied with… Wouldn’t be a good idea to… There appears to be something wrong with… I was expecting… but… Sorry to bother you but… I want to complain about… I’m afraid I’ve got a complaint about…
I have to make a complaint about… I don’t understand why… Excuse me but there is a problem… Would you mind…?
Accepting a complaint
I’m so sorry, but this will never happen again. I’m sorry, we promise never to make the same mistake again. I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I wish I never happened.
Rejecting a complaint
Sorry, there is nothing we can do about it. Sorry but it’s not our fault. I’m afraid there isn’t much we can do about it.
Expressing Likes:
I like… I love… I enjoy… I adore… I ‘m crazy about… I’m mad about… I’m keen on… Examples: I like dogs. I love cooking. I enjoy playing football. I’m crazy about pizza. I’m fond of rock music. Do you like tennis? Yes, I do.
Expressing dislikes:
I don’t like… I dislike…
I hate… I can’t bear… I can’t stand… Examples: I don’t like him. I can’t stand these people. I can’t stand this smell. I don’t like washing dishes. I hate going to the dentist.
Asking for Certainty:
Are you sure? Are you sure about it? Are you certain about it? Do you think it is true? Do you think so? How sure are you?
Expressing Certainty:
Yes, I am certain. I’m a hundred percent certain … I’m absolutely sure. I have no doubt about it. I’m sure about it. I don’t think there can be any doubt about …. Of course. I’m positive. I’m quite sure about it. I’m no doubt about it. I’m absolutely certain that…
Expressing Uncertainty:
I’m not sure about it. I doubt it. I’m not really sure about… I don’t know for sure… It’s very unlikely. I have my own doubts. I don’t think so.
I don’t believe this is true. There’s some doubt in my mind that … I’m not a hundred percent sure. I don’t know yet. Making invitations: Do you feel like going for a walk? Do you want to go to the movies tonight? Would you like to play cards? Would you like a cup of coffee? What about a cup of tea? I would like you to have lunch with us tomorrow. Would you be interested in going to the movies tonight? Why don’t you have lunch with me tomorrow? How about joining me for a walk? I invite you to have breakfast with me tomorrow morning.
Accepting an Invitation:
Thank you for your kind invitation. I’d love to, thanks. I’ll be glad to do so. Thanks, I’d like that very much. That’s a great idea. Thanks for inviting me to dinner. It’s very nice of you. Many thanks for your kind invitation. I’ll join you. Sure. Thank you. With pleasure!
Refusing an Invitation:
I’m sorry to ref use your invitation. I can’t, sorry. I have to work. Thanks for your invitation but I’m busy now. I’m afraid I won’t be able to come. I’m afraid I am busy tomorrow. Sorry, I’d love to but I have an appointment. I really don’t think I can, sorry. That’s very kind of you, but I can’t accept your invitation. Making requests:
Will/Would/Can/Could you please… Do you mind…? Do you think you could…?
Do you think it would be possible to…? Would it be possible for you to…? Would there be any possibility of… Would you be kind enough to…? Would you mind…? Can/could you… for me, please? Could you possibly… I’d appreciate it if you could… Can/Could I ask you to…? You couldn’t… could you?
Examples: Can you give me the book? Could you please take off your raincoat? Could you please take me to the dentist? Would you mind opening the window for me, please? Would you be kind enough to repair my computer? Do you think you could take me to the supermarket? Could I ask you to take me home? Can you tell me what happened? Would you come to my birthday party? Would it be possible for you to come here at 8 A.M?
Accepting Requests:
Sure, I’d be glad to… I’d be happy to … Sure. Just a moment. No problem. Of course Certainly. All right.
Refusing Requests:
I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m sorry, but … I’d loved to, but … Sorry to say that … It sounds great, but …
Making Offers:
Can I…? Shall I…? Would you like me to…(do something)? Would you like…(something)? Do you want me to…(do something)? Do you want…(something)? Let me…(do something) I can…If you’d like I’d be happy to…(do something) May I offer you… (something)? I will…If you’d like Examples: Would you like something to drink? Would you like me to open the door? Can I help you? Can I give you a hand? Let me help you. Would you like me to answer the phone? Do you want some more tea? Do you want me to turn down the TV? I’d happy to take you to the airport. May I offer you a cup of coffee. Accepting Offers:
Yes, please. Yes, I’d love to. Yes. That would be great. Yes please, that would be lovely. Yes, If you wouldn’t mind. That’s very kind of you. That sounds nice. Thank you. I’d like to. Refusing Offers:
No, thanks. It’s Ok. I can do it myself. Thank you for your kindness but I can do it myself. Don’t worry. I can do it. I appreciate that but I can do it myself. Asking for permission: Can I use your pen, please? Can I sit here? Is it okay if I sit here? Can I ask you a question? May I use your computer?
May I come in? Can I take a look at your book? Do you mind if I turn down the TV? Do you mind if I use your phone? Would you mind if I opened the window? If you don’t mind, I’d like to smoke. I wonder if I could borrow your car for a few days. Would it be all right if I borrowed your phone? Giving permission:
Sure. Sure, go ahead. No problem. Yes, you can. Please feel free. I don’t mind. Refusing permission:
I’m afraid not. I’m afraid, but you can’t. I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. No, you cannot. You couldn’t do that. Sorry, you are not permitted. Making suggestions and giving advice: You should try to learn English everyday. I think you should go home early. Why don’t you join an English club? You’d better wake up early. Let’s have dinner together. What about having a cup of coffee with me? How about going to the cinema? Don’t you think it would be a good idea to have a picnic this Sunday. If I were you, I’d call her. I suggest that you take a nap. You may want to try on this T-shirt. Perhaps you could take an umbrella with you. I strongly advise you to do more work out. I recommend that you get some rest. It’s better for you to sleep a little more. Accepting Suggestions: Thanks, I’ll do it. It sounds good. That sounds like a good idea. Thanks. It’s a good suggestion. I think you’re right. Why didn’t I think of that?
Refusing suggestions: No, I’d rather not. I don’t think so. I don’t feel like it. No, I don’t this it’s a good idea. What a bad idea!
Expressing sympathy:
That’s too bad. That’s so sad. I’m sorry. What bad luck! I hope things get better soon. It would be OK soon. I hope you feel better soon. What a pity! Oh, that’s terrible. Be patient, it would be better soon. I can’t tell you how sorry I am. Oh, I am sorry to hear that . I know how it feels. I take my sympathy to you. You must be very upset about it. I sympathize with your condition.
Responding:
It’s very kind of you. Thank you very much. It would be Ok, thanks. Thanks for your sympathy. Thanks for your support. Asking for Information: Could you tell me how to get to the bus station? Do you know that old man? Do you know how much is this car costs? Do you happen to know where to buy an umbrella? Can you tell me what the time is? I’d like to know your name. I’d like to know what you think about this idea. I wonder if you could tell me why the meeting was canceled? Do you have any idea how to use this machine? Could you find out where she lives? I’m looking for a book about gardening. Guessing It looks like you’re new here.
It looks like you don’t know what happened. Perhaps she knows the answer. I’d say it’s over 9 A.M now. If I had to take a guess, I’d say he’s 40. Maybe he wants to quit his job. Maybe it’s going to rain. Chances are you’re doing it wrong He could be right about it. I guess you are over 30 years old. It’s difficult to say, but I think this is the best English course. I’m not really sure, but I think this is the last morning train.
Demanding Explanations in English Can you explain why you was so late? How come it has taken you so long to reply to my email? I don’t understand why you never finished the work on time. Can you tell me why you didn’t attend the meeting this morning? Why is it that you didn’t tell the true? Do you expect me to believe you did this by yourself?
Hope and Desires I hope to see you soon. Let’s hope he will get better soon. I believe things will get better. Hopefully , it’ll be sunny tomorrow. I keep hoping that she will win the show. I wish it would stop raining. If we’re lucky , we’ll arrive there on time. With any luck , she will go home early tonight. I would like to buy a new car. I want to be a doctor. What I really want is to have an apartment.
Asking for Opinions What do you think about this problem? What do you think of my new house? Do you have any thoughts on that? How do you feel about that? What is your opinion? Do you have any idea? Do you have any opinion on this matter? What’s your view? Please tell me your opinion on this subject. What is your opinion about that? Can you give me your thoughts on the report? What are your feelings about his behavior? I’d like to hear your views on this matter.
Expressing opinions: I think we need to buy a house. In my opinion , this is the best website for learning Spoken English. I don’t think we should get a new car. Personally, I think you’re right. From my point of view , she is the best student in the class. As far as I’m concerned , this T-shirt doesn’t suit you. My personal view is that he is a liar. In my point of view , this is the most beautiful island on earth. It seems to me that we get lost. To my mind, it’s the right thing to do. I personally believe we’re in the right way. Agreeing with an opinion:
This is absolutely right. I couldn’t agree more. I completely agree with you. I agree with this opinion. Disagreeing with an opinion:
I don’t agree with you. I think you’re wrong. I don’t think so. I’m afraid I can’t agree with you.
Making Appointment: Can we meet on the 14th? Can we meet next Friday? Are you available on the 14th? Are you free next week? Let’s meet this evening. When can I talk to you? Can I meet you tomorrow afternoon? How about tomorrow afternoon? Is next Monday convenient for you? Do you have any time available this week? When would be a good time to meet you? Would today evening be all right? Can you give me an appointment on Sunday? Accepting an appointment:
Sure. I’ll come. Yes, Sunday is fine. Friday would be perfect. I’ll be there at that time.
Canceling/rejecting an appointment:
Sorry. I have another appointment at that time. I’m sorry. I can’t come. I’m afraid I can’t on the 14th. I’m sorry, I won’t be able to make it on Sunday. Sorry. I don’t think I can make it.
Talking about Fear and Anxiety in English Are you afraid of the dark? I’m afraid of being alone at night. I’m scared of snakes. I’m frightened of spiders. I am terrified. I get scared very easily. I was terrified when I heard the noise outside. I’m worried about her health. Useful Responses:
Don’t be afraid. It’s not a big deal. It is nothing. There is nothing to be afraid of. Take is easy. Calm down. Making promises: I promise that I will finish the job on time. I promise you that that’s the truth. I swear I will never leave you. I swear I won’t let you down. I assure you that I will return the book tomorrow morning. I assure you that I will be there on time. Believe me, I won’t make you disappointed. Trust me, I can do it. Useful Responses:
Thank you. I believe you. All right. Keep your promise. I hope you will keep your words. Just let the time answer it.
Admitting mistakes:
I have to admit that I was wrong. I admit what I’ve done is wrong. I shouldn’t be like this. Sorry. I know this was my fault. I’m fully responsible for this matter. I have made a mistake. It’s my mistakes. Forgive me. Yes, I take the blame. I was the one to blame. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I never intended it that way. Useful responses:
Don’t mention it. Let it go. That’s fine. Just take it easy. Don’t do it again. Forget it. It doesn’t matter. That would be okay. Don’t worry about it. It’s okay
Expressing Preferences in English
Questions about preferences: Which do you prefer, football or volleyball? Which do you like better, tea or coffee? Do you prefer hot coffee or ice coffee? Would you prefer to go for a walk or see a movie? Would you rather have dinner with me? Expressing Preferences: I prefer tea to coffee. I’d prefer to have some water. I like tea better than coffee. I prefer reading books. I prefer jogging to running. I’d prefer living in a city to living in the country. I would rather go home. I’d rather stay at home than go out. I’d rather take a nap than go for a walk. I’d rather play football than golf.
Expressing Cause and Effect in English I help you because I like you. I study hard because I want to pass the exam. We have to go home since we have no idea where to go next. You need to hurry up since it’s very late now. I can’t go out as it’s raining. I can’t run fast as I’m too fat. I love you, so I will do everything to make you happy. I didn’t eat anything, so I’m very hungry now. We had to cancel the picnic because of bad weather. I did it because of you. The flight was canceled due to the storm. I came home late due to the traffic jam. He didn’t work hard. As a result, he was fired. I was busy this evening. Therefore , I couldn’t come to your party. Thanks to his hard work, he got a raise.
Asking about Feelings:
How are you feeling? Are you Ok? Is everything alright? What’s wrong? What’s the matter? Do you want to talk about it? Expressing Feelings:
I’m very happy right now. I don’t think I can be any happier right now. I feel a little sad. It’s been a difficult day. He made her very angry. I ‘ve been in a bad mood all day. I’m mad at his behavior. I feel very depressed today. You seem a little blue today. I’ve got a headache and I feel terrible.
Making and Answering A Phone Call in English Can I speak to John, please? I’d like to speak to John. I’ll put you through. Hold the line, please. I’ll connect you now. I’m sorry, he’s on another call I’m sorry, he’s not available at the moment.
Please call back later. Could you ask him to call me? Would you like to leave a message? Who’s speaking? Who’s calling, please? Could I ask who’s calling? Can I have your name, please? Who am I talking to? It’s Mary speaking. Is it convenient to talk at the moment? Sorry, you must have the wrong number. Sorry. I think you’ve dialed the wrong number. Hang on for a moment. I’m about to run out of credit. What number can I reach you at? Who do you want to talk to? Hold the line, please. I’ve got a very weak signal. Can you hear me OK? Could you please speak up? Sorry. I didn’t catch that. Could you say it again, please?
Making Friends It’s nice to meet you. What’s your name? I’m John. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. Where are you from? I’m from the U.S. What brings you here? I’m on holiday. What’s your phone number? Could I take your phone number? May I have your address? Are you on Facebook? Who do you live with? I live on my own. I live with my friends. How old are you? I’m 30. When’s your birthday? It’s 16th June.
Asking directions Excuse me, do you know where the bookstore is? How can I get to the train station from here? Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the bus station?
Can you show me the way to the post office? Excuse me, where is the hospital? Can you show me on the map? What’s the best way to get to the airport? What’s the fastest way to the airport? How far is it to the stadium from here? What street is this? Is this the way to the police station? Is there a supermarket near here? Can you give me directions to the gas station?
Talking About Jobs and Occupations What do you do? What do you do for a living? I’ve got a part-time job. Where do you work? I work from home. I work in a factory. What is your occupation? I work as a doctor. I’m looking for a job. I’m a teacher. I’m not working at the moment. I’m unemployed. I do the paperwork. I have my own business. Do like your job?
Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing in English Agreeing:
I completely agree. You’re absolutely right. I agree with you entirely. I totally agree with you. I couldn’t agree more. Exactly. Absolutely! You’re right. Me too! I agree. I see exactly what you mean! That’s exactly what I think. There is no doubt about it. Partly agreeing:
I agree up to a point, but …
That’s partly true, but … That may be true, but… I see your point, but … I guess so, but… That seems obvious, but… I’m not so sure about that. Disagreeing:
I don’t agree! I don’t agree with you. I totally disagree! I’m sorry, but I disagree. Absolutely not! I’m afraid I can’t agree with you. That’s not right! That’s not always true. I don’t think so. No, that’s not true. No way!
Checking for Understanding and Asking for Clarification in English
Checking for Understanding:
Do you understand? Are you following me? Do you understand what I mean? Do you understand what I’m saying? Any questions? Got it? Expressing lack of understanding:
I don’t get it. Sorry, I didn’t get your point. What do you mean? I’m not sure I got your point. I beg your pardon, but I don’t quite understand. I don’t quite follow you. I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you mean. Sorry, I didn’t quite hear what you said. Asking for clarification:
Could you clarify that, please? Could you explain that, please? What do you mean by that? Could you say that again, please?
Could you repeat, please? Could you put it differently, please? Clarifying:
Sorry, let me explain… Let me clarify it for you… To put it differently… Let me put it in another way… Showing Understanding:
I see. I understand. I got it. Ok, I got what you mean. I understand what you mean.
Expressing Regret in English I wish/If only + Past perfect
I wish I had come to your party! part y! I wish I had worked harder. If only I hadn’t eaten so much. If only I had driven more carefully. I should have (not) + Past Participle
I should have come to your party. I should have worked harder. I should haven’t eaten so much. I should have driven more carefully. I regret +Noun/V-ing
I regret not coming to your party. I regret not working harder. I regret eating so much. I regret leaving you alone. I regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.
Congratulations and Best Wishes in English Expressing Congratulations:
Congratulations! Great! Well done!
Please accept my warmest congratulations… Let me offer you my congratulations. I’d like to congratulate you on … Let me congratulate you on. .. Congratulations on your promotion! Congratulations on your graduation! Congratulations! You deserve it! That was excellent. Congratulations! Good wishes:
Best wishes! Best wishes on your new job! Best of luck! Good luck to you! All the best… Wish you a happy married life. Useful Responses:
Thanks. Thanks so much. Thanks a million. Thanks a lot. Thank you for your kindness. It’s very kind of you. It’s very nice of you. Thanks for your support. Thanks for your kind words.
Expressing Obligation in English Asking whether you or others have an obligation to do or not: Do I have to do it now? Do I need to leave her a message? Must I accept the request? I don’t have to attend the meeting, do I? Do you have to get to the office so early? Are you expected to finish the job by tomorrow? Must you work so hard? Is it necessary for me to go with them? Expressing obligation: I must tell them the true. I must do everything I can to help you. I have to send the report today. I have to be there by tomorrow. I have to go now.
I’ll have to pick her up from the airport. It is necessary that you follow this guideline. I can’t refuse to do that. I can’t avoid it. It is my responsibility to clear the table. It’s my duty to do it. I have no other choice.
Expressing Indifference in English Who cares! I don’t care! I don’t mind. I don’t mind whatever you do. It makes no difference to me. Do what you like. I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me. So what? It’s all the same to me. Why should I care? It’s your decision. I wouldn’t mind. Do as you like. Whatever you want. You can say whatever you like. I couldn’t care less.
Interrupting People in English Excuse me for interrupting, but… Sorry for interrupting interrupting but…. May I interrupt for a minute? May I say something here? Can I stop you there for a moment? Just a moment, I’d like to…. Sorry, Could I just mention that… I don’t mean to intrude, but . . . May I have a word? Excuse me, but… Do you mind if I interrupt you? Sorry, I didn’t catch that, is it possible to repeat the last point? While that is an important point, it’s also important to add… If you don’t mind, I’d like to mention something. Sorry to butt in, but may I just ask… Before we move on to the next point, may I add…? Before you move on, I’d like to say something. Do you mind if I jump in here? If I could just come in here. I think…. Can I just add something here?
Talking About Health and Illness in English
Asking about health:
What’s the problem? What are your symptoms? How are you feeling today? Are you feeling any better? Do you have any allergies? How long have you been feeling like this? Do you have any medicine to take?
Talking about general illness:
I’ve got a slight headache. I’ve got a sore throat. I have a high blood pressure. I have pain in my back. I’m in a lot of pain. My head is spinning. I’m having difficulty breathing. I have a stomach ache. I’m not sleeping very well at the moment. I’m not feeling very well.
Expressing Ability in English
Asking about ability: Can you lift this table? Can you speak English? Can you help me? Can you play the piano? Will you able to come to my birthday party this weekend? Are you able to go out with me tonight? Expressing ability: I can speak 5 languages. I can swim 2 kilometers. I can’t help you. I won’t be able to come to your birthday party. I will be able to see you next week. When I finish this course, I will be able to find a good job. When I was a child I could play football very well. I was not able to visit him yesterday.
Giving Good News in English
Giving good news:
I’ve got some good news for you… I’ve got a bit of good news for you… I’m really pleased to tell you… I’m really happy to inform you that… I have some amazing news for you… Are you ready for this? I’ve got some great news for you…. I’m so excited to tell you that … Responding to good news:
I’m so glad to hear that! That’s great! Sounds great! That’s wonderful! Incredible! Wonderful! Thank you for sharing. Really? Are you serious? I can’t believe that!
Giving Bad News in English
Giving bad news:
I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for you… I’m so sorry but… I’m sorry to have to tell you that … I know this isn’t what you want to hear but… I’m afraid to inform you of … It is my unfortunate duty to tell you that … I really feel bad to have to say this, but … I really don’t know how to say it, but … Responding to bad news:
I’m sorry to hear that… You must be feeling terrible … That’s awful! Too bad! Poor you! Please, accept my deepest sympathy. Anytime you need to talk, just call me … If there’s anything I can do, just let me know…
Expressing Disapointment in English That’s too bad. How disappointing! That’s so disappointing! Oh no, what a shame! It’s a great shame. It’s a little bit disappointing, isn’t it! It didn’t live up to my expectations. What a pity! What a letdown! What a bummer! That’s a nuisance! I thought you could do better. I’ve never been so disappointed in my life. It wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. Asking for Instructions:
How do I…? Can you show me how to…? Do you know how to…? How do I go about…? What do you suggest? What is the first step? What is the best way to…? Giving instructions:
First, you… Then, you… Next, you… Lastly, you… Starting out:
The first thing you do is… Before you begin, (you should…) The best place to begin is… I would start by… Continuing:
After that, The next step is to… The next thing you do is… Once you’ve done that, then… When you finish that, then… Finishing:
The last step is…
The last thing you do is… In the end,… When you’ve finished,… When you’ve completed all the steps,…
Expressing Prohibition in English It is forbidden to… You are not allowed to … You are not permitted to… It is prohibited to … You must not … You are not to… You can’t… Examples: You are not allowed to smoke in this area. It is forbidden to swim here. You are not to feed the animals. It is prohibited to walk on the grass. You must not tell anyone about it. You must not leave the window open. You are not permitted to be late.
Expressing Shock in English I was shocked to hear… We’re all in complete shock. Who could have predicted it? I was stunned by… The news came as a complete shock. That’s the last thing I expected. You’re kidding! I’d never have guessed. Oh, my god! Really?
Expressions of Blaming Someone:
It’s your fault. It’s your mistake. I can’t believe that you did it. How could you do such a thing? Are you out of your mind? What on earth were you thinking? I think you are the one to blame. I think you are the one who could have done it. Expressions of Accusing Someone:
