Why phrases beat single words
Native speakers do not build every sentence from scratch. They use ready-made chunks such as “Could you tell me…?” or “I’m looking for…”. Learning whole phrases gives you correct grammar and natural rhythm at once, and you can start speaking sooner. Learn each phrase together with the situation where you would say it.
Learn phrases in situations, not in lists. Picture where you would say it and who you would say it to.
Greetings and polite basics
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Hello, how are you? | A friendly greeting. A common reply is “I’m fine, thanks. And you?” |
| Nice to meet you. | The first time you meet someone. |
| Excuse me. | To get someone’s attention, or to pass through a crowd. |
| I’m sorry. | To apologise. |
| Thank you very much. | To show real thanks. |
| You’re welcome. | The usual answer to “thank you”. |
Asking for help and understanding
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Could you help me, please? | A polite way to ask for help. |
| Could you say that again, please? | When you did not catch what was said. |
| Could you speak more slowly? | When someone speaks too fast. |
| What does this word mean? | When you meet a word you do not know. |
| How do you say this in English? | When you know the idea but not the English word. |
| I don’t understand. | Honest and clear, and people will explain. |
Shopping and eating out
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| How much is this? | To ask a price. |
| Do you have this in a larger size? | In a clothes shop. |
| I’m just looking, thanks. | When a shop assistant offers help and you want to browse. |
| Could I have the menu, please? | In a café or restaurant. |
| I’d like the chicken, please. | To order food politely. |
| Could we have the bill, please? | To ask for the bill at the end. |
Travel and directions
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Where is the nearest station? | To ask for directions. |
| How do I get to the airport? | To ask about the route. |
| Does this bus go to the city centre? | To check you are on the right bus. |
| How long does it take? | To ask about the journey time. |
| I’ve lost my bag. | To report a problem. |
| Could you call a taxi for me? | At a hotel or reception. |
Work and study
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Could we schedule a meeting? | To arrange a time to talk. |
| I’ll send you the details by email. | To promise to follow up. |
| Could you give me a bit more time? | To ask for an extension. |
| I’m not sure, but I’ll find out. | When you do not know the answer yet. |
| Let me check and get back to you. | A professional way to buy time. |
| Can I ask a question? | In class or a meeting. |
How to practise so you actually remember
Day to Day English, the free Android app from Robince Studio, teaches vocabulary, phrases and dialogues in context by following one person’s life, with translations in your own language, text-to-speech in different accents, quizzes and daily streaks. You can also read the lessons free on this website.
- Say phrases out loud. Speaking uses different memory from reading, and it trains your mouth.
- Learn five phrases a day, not fifty. Review yesterday’s before adding new ones.
- Use the phrase in a real or imagined conversation the same day.
- Listen to how it sounds. Text-to-speech or a recording helps with rhythm and stress.
- Record yourself and compare. It feels strange at first and works very well.
- Keep a streak. A small daily habit beats a long weekend session.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most useful English phrases for beginners?
Greetings (“Hello, how are you?”), polite basics (“Excuse me”, “Thank you”), asking for help (“Could you say that again, please?”), shopping (“How much is this?”) and directions (“Where is the nearest station?”).
How many English phrases do I need to start speaking?
A few dozen well-chosen phrases cover most daily situations. Learn them in groups by situation and practise saying them out loud.
How can I practise English speaking at home?
Say phrases aloud, record yourself, listen to text-to-speech to copy the rhythm, and use new phrases in a short imagined conversation each day.
Is there a free way to learn English phrases?
Yes. This website has free English lessons with vocabulary, dialogues and quizzes, and the Day to Day English app is free to download for Android.
Can I see the meanings in my own language?
Yes. The lessons on this site let you choose a language for meanings, and the app shows translations alongside.
Try these tools
Text to Speech
Turn typed or pasted text into speech using your browser’s built-in voices. Choose voice, speed, pitch and volume, with play, pause and stop controls.
Open toolSpeech to Text
Speech to text online: speak into your microphone and watch the words appear. Voice typing in 30 languages, copy or download .txt. Free, no sign-up.
Open toolOnline Voice Recorder
Record your voice online: pick a microphone, see the live level, pause, trim and download as WebM, M4A or WAV. Includes a mic test. Free, private, no upload.
Open toolWord Counter
Count words, characters, sentences and paragraphs instantly. Also shows reading time, speaking time and your most-used keywords. Free and private.
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