Everyday EnglishSlang, interjections & Colloquial Expressions

DAILY PHRASES

Hellos & Goodbyes

How do you typically greet:

• Your boss

• Your colleagues

• Your best friend

• Your spouse / partner

How do you typically greet:

• Your boss (hello, Hi, good morning/afternoon)

• Your colleagues (Hey, Hi, Hello)

• Your best friend (Hey, Yo, …. no greeting)

• Your spouse / partner (hi dear, honey, sweetheart, babe… no greeting)

Formal/ Unnatural Informal/Natural

A: Hello, how are you today?

B: I’m well, thank you. And you?

A: I’m great, thanks. I have got to go now. It was nice to see you.

B: It was nice to see you too.

A: Goodbye.

B: Goodbye.

Formal/ Unnatural Informal/Natural

A: Hello, how are you today?

B: I’m well, thank you. And you?

A: I’m great, thanks. I have got to go now. It was nice to see you.

B: It was nice to see you too.

A: Goodbye.

B: Goodbye.

A: Hey! How’s it going?

B: I’m good, how about you? (‘bout)

A: Not bad, but I gotta run. It was good seeing you.

(seein’ ya)

B: Yeah, catch ya later. (see you later/soon) (later.)

Making Plans

You’re calling your friend to make plans.

Ask your friend:

• What they are doing now

• If they’d like to meet you this evening

• Discuss what activity you will both do.

• Settle on a time and place to meet.

Speaking Practice

Formal/ Unnatural

Informal/Natural

A: Hello. What are you doing right now?

B: I am at my house relaxing.

A: Would you like to meet this evening?

B: Okay. What would you like to do?

A: How about we eat dinner and see a movie after?

B: Yes, I like that. Can we meet at 6PM?

A: Certainly. Do you want to meet at my house?

B: Yes. I’ll see you at 7PM. Goodbye.

A: Goodbye.

Formal/ Unnatural

Informal/Natural

A: Hello. What are you doing right now?

B: I am at my house relaxing.

A: Would you like to meet this evening?

B: Okay. What would you like to do?

A: How about we eat dinner and see a movie after?

B: Yes, I like that. Can we meet at 6PM?

A: Certainly. Do you want to meet at my house?

B: Yes. I’ll see you at 7PM. Goodbye.

A: Goodbye.

A: Hey, watcha doing?

B: Not much. What’s up?

A: Wanna hang out tonight?

B: Sure, what do you wanna do?

A: How about we do dinner & a movie.

B: Cool. 6PM, okay?

A: Yep, shall we meet at my house?

B: That works for me – see you soon.

A: later!

Asking Questions & Giving Suggestions:

• Shall we… • Do you wanna…

To a group:

Do you guys want to (wanna)…

• You guys hungry?  • You guys wanna go?  • You guys tired?

Can you ‘guys’ make some sentences using these phrases?

Food & Eating

How would you ask/suggest to your friend to go eat something?

How would you ask/suggest to your friend to go eat something?

Wanna grab a bite to eat?Let’s grab a bite to eat.

How would you express being Really hungry?

How would you express being Really hungry?

I’m starving!

I could eat a horse.

My stomach is growling.

What would you say if someone asked you“Do you want to order dessert?” and you’ve eaten enough already.

What would you say if someone asked you“Do you want to order dessert?” and you’ve eaten enough already.

I’m so fullI’ve eaten just enough. I didn’t save any room for dessert.”

If you’re eating with someone, and you plan topick up the check/bill, what can you tell say to them?

If you’re eating with someone, and you plan topick up the check/bill, what can you tell say to them?

A: Oh, put away your wallet! • It’s on me • It’s my treat

B: “Thank you!”

A: It’s my pleasure.

You’ve just ordered lunch, but suddenly need to leave the restaurant. How can youask the restaurant to put your food in a bag?

You’ve just ordered lunch, but suddenly need to leave the restaurant. How can youask the restaurant to put your food in a bag?

• after ordering:• “Could I get my food ‘to go’?”• Could I have a ‘to go’ box?

• before ordering: • “I’d like this ‘to go’.”• “I’d like this for ‘takeaway”

• in the US: Can I get a doggiebag?

You’re at a group meal eating ‘Family style’ (sharingdishes). How can you tell everyone to start eating oreat more?

You’re at a group meal eating ‘Family style’ (sharingdishes). How can you tell everyone to start eating oreat more?

Let’s dig in! / Dig in, everyone!

Everyone please help yourselves! (‘help yourself’ is said to make the person feel comfortable, “at home”)

You’d like to offer someone a bit of yourfood. What can you say?

You’d like to offer someone a bit of yourfood. What can you say?

“Wanna bite?”“Have a bite!” (insist)“Would you like to try some?”

You have a lot of fruit you brought back from your hometown.You offer some to your friend, and they say: “I can have this? Are you sure?”

What can you reply to assure them you WANT them to take the fruit.

You have a lot of fruit you brought back from your hometown.You offer some to your friend, and they say: “I can have this? Are you sure?”

What can you reply to assure them you WANT them to take the fruit.

When you enough of something & more to share,you can say…

• Yes, I have plenty left

• There’s plenty!

Time Expressions

You have to be somewhere at 8 AM, but you woke up late and need to inform someone that you’ll be 30 min. late.

You have to be somewhere at 8 AM, but you woke up late and need to inform someone that you’ll be 30 min. late.

• “I’m running late. Be there in 30.

• “I’m running 30 min. late.

• I’m going to be 30 min behind.

You need someone to wait on you for a moment. What can you say?

You need someone to wait on you for a moment. What can you say?

“Wait a minute.”

“Give me a minute.”

“Just a second.”

“Hang on.”

“Lemme (let me) think/check/see”

Examples:

• “I just watched Titanic for the first time.”

• “I just discovered a singer named Lady Gaga!”

• A 35-yr. teacher decides to go to medical school

• Someone arrived to a meet 10-minutes before in concluded…

What do all of these people have in common?

They are:

“(a little) late in the game”

example:• “I just watched Titanic for the first time.” - you’re a little late in the

game. That movie’s been out

forever!

• “I just discovered a singer named Lady Gaga!” - You’re a little late in the game. Everyone knows her.

• A 35-yr. teacher decides to go to medical school – He’s a little late in game, but better

late than never!

• Someone arrived to a meet 10-minutes before in concluded… - uh, you’re a little late in the game; we’re just

wrapping up.

What would you say if you had been waiting on someone or something for a long time, and it/they arrive?

F_________!

It’s __________ time!

What would you say if you had been waiting on someone or something for a long time, and it/they arrive?

FINALLY!

It’s about time!

Asking / Giving Opinions

Formal/ Unnatural

Informal/Natural

A: Could I ask your opinion about this shirt?

B: It is a nice color.

C: Yes, I think it’s a nice color too. However, I believe it looks slightly too small.

A: Yes, I understand your point of view.

Formal/ Unnatural

Informal/Natural

A: Could I ask your opinion about this shirt?

B: It is a nice color.

C: Yes, I think it’s a nice color too. However, I believe that it looks slightly too small.

A: Yes, I understand your point of view.

A: What do you think about this shirt? (whatddya)

B: The color’s nice.

C: I think the same, but to be honest, it looks a bit snug.

A: Yeah, I gotcha / I agree.

Additional phrases for asking & giving opinions

Introducing a different opinion• Actually… (I think that…)• To be honest with you… 

Opinions• Whaddya think?

• I think that…(it’s a bad idea!) (the film is good!) (it’s horrible)

Agreeing with someone (or not)• Yep, I agree • I agree with you 100%• I don’t agree (I disagree)• I don’t completely agree• Totally• I hear ya..• I hear what you’re saying• I gotcha (I understand)• I see your point..

REVIEW OF EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Change the pronunciation or some words in each of the following sentences to make them sound more natural…

Hey, what are you doing?

Hey, (whaddya) doing? (watcha)

Do you want to grab a bite to eat?

Do you wanna grab a bite to eat?

Wanna grab a bite to eat?

Sorry, but I’ve got to run. See youlater.

Sorry, but I’ve gotta run. See yalater!

Gotta run! See ya later!

I’m going to talk with my boss about ittomorrow.

I’m (gonna) talk with my boss about ittomorrow.

I have to catch up on some work tonight. I’m so behind!

I (haf-tuh) catch up on some work tonight. I’m so behind!

Are you all ready to begin the lesson?

Are you guys ready to begin the lesson?

You guys ready to begin?

Can I get a ‘to go’ cup, please?

Can I (getta)‘to go’ cup, please?

How about we meet on Wednesday.

How ‘bout we meet on Wednesday.

Did you hear about the schedule change?

(Did-ja) hear about the schedule change?

What could you say in each of the following situations?

A: Oh, hello!

B: Hello!

A: How have you been these days?

B: I have been well. Thanks – and you?

A: I am doing great!

A: Oh, H_____!

B: W_______ U_____?!

A: How y___ b______?

B: P______ G______. How _______ you?

A: I’m G__________!

A: Oh, hello!

B: Hello!

A: How have you been these days?

B: I have been well. Thanks – and you?

A: I am doing great!

A: Oh, Hey !

B: Hey, what’s up?!

A: How ya been?

B: Pretty Good. How ‘bout you?

A: I’m Great / good!

A: Oh, please - you do not have to get out your money.

B: Nonsense! I would like to pay some money.

A: I would like to pay for you.

B: Wow. That is so kind. Thank you.

A: You’re welcome.

A: Oh, please – Put _______ your ______.

B: Nonsense! Please let me pay – at least half!

A: It’s my ________ / It’s ______ me.

B: Wow – that’s so kind. Thank you.

A: It’s _________ p____________.

A: Oh, please - you do not have to get out your money.

B: Nonsense! I would like to pay some money.

A: I would like to pay for you.

B: Wow. That is so kind. Thank you.

A: You’re welcome.

A: Oh, please – Put away your wallet/ money.

B: Nonsense! Please let me pay – at least half!

A: It’s my treat / It’s on me.

B: Wow – that’s so kind. Thank you.

A: It’s my pleasure.

“Please, everyone – start eating now. Don’t wait”

“Please, everyone – start eating now. Don’t wait”

“Dig in, you guys! Help yourselves.”

“I am late, and I am walking to work now. I will be there in five minutes.”

“I am late, and I am walking to work now. I will be there in five minutes.”“I’m running late. On my way. Be there in five.”

A: Would you like to eat lunch with me tomorrow?

B: Certainly! Do you want to meet at 12:30?

A: Yes – I’m free at that time. Is Café May okay with you?

B: Yes, I like this café.

A: I will see you tomorrow at 12:30 then.

A: W_______ d___ lunch tomorrow?

B: S_______! 12:30 O______?

A: That w_______ for _________. Is Café May okay with you?

B: P________! That’s a great place.

A: I___ s______ _______ then.

A: Would you like to eat lunch with me tomorrow?

B: Certainly! Do you want to meet at 12:30?

A: Yes – I’m free at that time. Is Café May okay with you?

B: Yes, I like this café.

A: I will see you tomorrow at 12:30 then.

A: Wanna do lunch tomorrow?

B: Sure! 12:30 Okay?

A: That works for me. Is Café May okay with you?

B: Perfect! That’s a great place.

A: I’ll see ya then.

“That looks good. We would like to try a taste.”

“That looks good. We would like to try a taste.”

Yum! Can we have a bite/taste?”

Describing Something

Can you describe this fruit?

Can you describe this fruit?

It’s a plantain, which is sorta (sort of) like a banana, butit’s bigger and tastes kinda (kind of) like a potato.

Can you describe this animal?

It looks kind of like sort of like

(kinda like) (sorta like)

It’s a bear!

What does a pear taste like?

What does a pear taste like?

It’s sweet and crunchy - It tastes kinda like an apple. Its texture is a bit like sand.

This is Tiffany - Which celebrity does she look like?

This is Tiffany - Which celebrity does she look like?

She looks sorta like Angelina Jolie.

She looks just like / identical to Angelina Jolie!

When you’re having a difficult time findingthe words or description you need, you can say…

• How shall I put this…? (when you need to say something that is sensitive/difficult)

• What’s the word I’m looking for?

• How can I explain this?

• What I’m trying to say is … (usually said when you’re about to deliver unpleasant news)

• Now, let me put it this way…(When you can’t say something directly, so you say it in an indirect, but obvious way…)

• What’s the best way to put this…?

A: What do you think about my new hair?

B: Um. Ahh… how shall I put this? It’s certainly different than before.

A: …I get your point…

A: Hey Tom, I think you’re a really great guy, and I really like you… as a friend.

B: Just a friend? What do you mean?

A: Well, what I’m trying to say is.. I think we should break up.

A: So, do you think I got the promotion? How were the other candidates?

B: Well, of course it’s confidential at this stage, but let me put it this way … you’re going to finally be able to buy a new car…

Have you ever experienced the frustration ofknowing a word, but just can’t seem to think ofit at that moment?

We can say… “It’s on the tip of my tongue!”

A: Hey, what’s the new guy’s name?

B: Oooh, he just told me. Wait a minute, let me think… I knowww it….. ahh, It’s on the tip of my tongue….

A: No big deal, I’ll just ask him myself.

B: DANNY! His name is Danny. Whew! I knew I knew it…

Feeling Frustrated

If someone keeps talking / bothering you about something…. and you’re tired and want to end the conversation… we can do this by saying…

“Wh______________.....”

If someone keeps talking / bothering you about something…. and you’re tired and want to end the conversation… we can do this by saying…

“Whatever.....”

Example:

A: I disagree with you! I thought that movie was beautiful – the acting and music was terrific.

B: Whatever – can we move on? Wanna get coffee?

If someone’s behavior is veryinconsiderate – for example,rudely bumping into you or pushing you out of the way

… and they don’t apologize or say “excuse me.”

We usually say it for them.

“E________ you!”

If someone’s behavior is very inconsiderate – for example, rudely bumping into you or pushing you out of the way

… and they don’t apologize or say “excuse me.”

We usually say it for them.

“EXCUSE you!”

A: "Do you want to go the gym today?"

B: "No, I really can't be bothered."

A: "Why not?"

B: "I'm really just not in the mood today."

When can we say, “I can’t be bothered…”?

When you really aren't in the mood to do something, because you are tired, feeling lazy or it's not important…

You can say “I can’t be bothered..”

When a situation is hopeless, you can say

• It’s hopeless• This is p_________!• Why b__________?• There’s no u_____...

Example:

“You are wasting your time trying to make that customer happy. He’ll never be happy. It’s hopeless.”

When a situation is hopeless, you can say

• It’s hopeless• This is pointless! (what’s your point?)• Why bother?• There’s no use... (it’s useless)

Example:

“You are wasting your time trying to make that customer happy. He’ll never be happy. It’s hopeless.”

When you want someone to just accept somethinghappened in the past and move on…

You can say, (nicely) “It’s time to move on.” ORquite bluntly:

“G_____ O______ It!”

Ex: a: I can’t believe my own sister forgot my birthday! I’m still so angry at her.

b: It’s been 2 months already – time to G____ o____ it.”

When you want someone to just accept somethinghappened in the past and move on…

You can say, (nicely) “It’s time to move on.” ORquite bluntly:

“Get Over It”

Ex: a: I can’t believe my own sister forgot my birthday! I’m still so angry at her.

b: It’s been 2 months already – time to Get over it.

Being Positive / Encouraging

This word is stronger than “good” or “great”.

If someone did a perfect job…you can say• E___________ work/job! • That’s E_____________!

This word is stronger than “good” or “great”.

If someone did a perfect job…you can say• Excellent work/job! • That’s Excellent!

Similar to “Excellent” but a bit more casual…When you hear some good news such as…“I’m getting married!” “I’m pregnant!” “I’m buying a house!” “I got a promotion at work!”

That’s A_____________! (US) That’s B_____________! (UK)

Similar to “Excellent” but a bit more casual…When you hear some good news such as…“I’m getting married!” “I’m pregnant!” “I’m buying a house!” “I got a promotion at work!”

That’s Awesome! (US) That’s Brilliant! (UK)

You can say this when someone achievessomething.

“Congratulations! W____ to g__!”

You can say this when someone achievessomething.

“Congratulations! Way to go!”

When someone is doing something difficult, you can say this to remind them to keep going!

When someone is doing something difficult, you can say this to remind them to keep going!

Don’t give up! (you can do this! You got this!)

Your friend wanted a promotion at work, but unfortunately, a more qualified candidategot the job.

What would you say to encourage her?

Your friend wanted a promotion at work, but unfortunately, a more qualified candidategot the job.

“Better luck next time.” / (You’ll get it next time)

Miscellaneous Situations

When you’re feeling really cold (because of theweather / AC), you can say this:

It’s F_______________!

When you’re feeling really cold (because of theweather / AC), you can say this:

It’s Freezing (in here)!

When it’s really hot somewhere, you can say,

(I’m) It’s B__________ up!

When it’s really hot somewhere, you can say,

(I’m) It’s Burning up!

When someone sneezes, it’s polite to say…

“B_______ you”

When someone sneezes, it’s polite to say…

“Bless you”

Any time you’re hosting friends/family inyour home, and you want to tell them to feelcomfortable…. you can say:

“M_______ yourself at h__________”

Any time you’re hosting friends/family inyour home, and you want to tell them to feelcomfortable…. you can say:

“Make yourself at Home”

* “My home is your home.”Also

INTERJECTIONS

An interjection is a word added to a sentence to express sudden strong emotion such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm.

*some can be just noises while others are short phrases.

This interjection means:“What did you say?” or “I don’t understand.”ORto express mild surprise H______?

ex:A. “So, I’m going to start a pilates class.”B. “H____? What’s that?

A. I tried calling you all night, but you didn’t answer.B. H_____, that’s strange. I didn’t hear my phone ring at all.

This interjection means:“What did you say?” or “I don’t understand.”ORto express mild surprise Huh?

ex:A. “So, I’m going to start a pilates class.”B. “Huh? What’s that?

A. I tried calling you all night, but you didn’t answer.B. Huh, that’s strange. I didn’t hear my phone ring at all.

When you see something cute,sweet, or heartwarming..

We usually say, “___________!!!!!”

When you see something cute,sweet, or heartwarming..

We usually say, “Awwww !!!!!”

Any time you get hurt/in pain – or you see that someone else feels pain, weusually say…

“O_______!”

Any time you get hurt/in pain – or you see that someone else feels pain, weusually say…

“Ouch!”

• When you feel bad for someone’s situation…• When you make a mistake…• When there’s an accident…• When you hear bad news…

We can say, “O___, N____!”

We say this word when we mean “Certainly!” or… ‘obviously’

O_____ C________!

We say this word when we mean “Certainly!” or… ‘obviously’

Of Course!“Wanna eat?”“Of course!”

“Do you brush your teeth every day?”

“Of course I do!”

Your friend tells you a shocking secret / story.

You can reply several ways:

• N____ W_____!• R____________?!• S____________?!• Are you k_________ me?!

Your friend tells you a shocking secret / story.

You can reply several ways:

• No Way!• Really ?!• Seriously?! (are you serious!?)• Are you kidding me?!

Others:“You’re lying!”“I can’t believe it!”

You usually yell this when you see sudden danger.

“W_______ O_____!”

You usually yell this when you see sudden danger.

Watch out!

When you’re amazed, or when you wantsomething/someone to SLOW down… you cansay:

“Wh______!”

When you’re amazed, or when you wantsomething/someone to SLOW down… you cansay:

“Whoa!”

“Whoa! Did you see that lady’s dress! It was gorgeous!”

“Whoa! Why are you yelling at me!? I didn’t do anything.”

Additional “noises”

• Mmmmm, (that looks delicious)• Mmmhmm (I agree…I know…)• Ah (I see) Ah! (I understand now!)• Uh (I have no idea)• Um (I’m thinking)• Ooh! (wow!)• Ehhh (meh…) I don’t care.• Eww! (disgusting)• Ugh (how annoying!)• Oww! (that hurt!)