200+ Common English Phrases & Idioms for Beginners

Let's study some English Phrases & Idioms by topic. All English phrases for beginners use vocabulary and grammar, so they are easy to learn even for beginners level learners.

500+ Real English Phrases ( Beginner Phrases, Intermediate Phrases, Advanced Phrases )

10 Ways to Say Hello & Goodbye – Basic Phrases in English

• 1.Hello
• 2.Hi
• 3.(informal) Hey
• 4.Hi there
• 5.(informal) Howdy
• 6.Bye
• 7.Bye-bye
• 8.(informal) See ya later
• 9.Take care
• 10. Have a good one

10 Informal Ways to Say Yes and No – English Basic Phrases

• 1.Yeah
• 2.Yup
• 3.Mm-hmm!
• 4.Uh-huh!
• 5.Sure!
• 6.Nope
• 7.Nah
• 8.Mm-mm
• 9.Uh-uh
• 10.No way

10 Ways to Ask How Someone Is – Easy English Phrases

• 1.How are you?
• 2.How’s it going?
• 3.How ya doin’?
• 4.How are things?
• 5.How’s life?
• 6.How have you been?
• 7.How’s your family?
• 8.What’s up?
• 9.What’s new?
• 10. What have you been up to lately?

10 Ways to Say How You Are – Beginner English Sentences

• 1.I’m fine, thanks. How about you?
• 2.Pretty good.
• 3.Not bad.
• 4.Great!
• 5.Couldn’t be better!
• 6.Can’t complain.
• 7.I’ve been busy.
• 8.Same as always.
• 9.Not so great.
• 10. Could be better.

10 Ways to Say Thank You – Basic English Phrases for Beginners

• 1.Thanks.
• 2.Thanks a lot.
• 3.Thank you so much.
• 4.Thanks a million!
• 5.Thanks for your help. / Thanks for helping me.
• 6.I really appreciate it.
• 7.I’m really grateful.
• 8.That’s so kind of you.
• 9.I can’t thank you enough. (for extremely important things)
• 10. I owe you one.(this means you want/need to do a favor for the other person in the future)

10 Ways to Respond to “Thank You” – English Expressions for Beginners

• 1.You’re welcome.
• 2.No problem.
• 3.No worries.
• 4.Don’t mention it.
• 5.My pleasure.
• 6.Anytime.
• 7.It was the least I could do.
• 8.Glad to help.
• 9.Sure!
• 10. Thank you. (use this when you ALSO have something to thank the other person for)

5 English Phrases for Apologizing – Easy Phrases in English

• 1. I’m sorry that… [ex. I was so rude yesterday]
• 2. It’s my fault. (= I am taking responsibility for the problem)
• 3. Oops, sorry. (for very small problems)
• 4.I should have… [ex. called you and told you I’d be late]
• 5.(formal) I apologize for… [ex. the delay]

5 Ways to Respond to an Apology – Easy English Phrases

• 1.That’s OK.
• 2.It happens.
• 3.No problem.
• 4.Don’t worry about it.
• 5.I forgive you.(for serious problems)

10 Phrases for Introductions – Beginner English Phrases

• 1.I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m… [your name]
• 2.I don’t think we’ve met before. My name’s… [your name]
• 3.This is…
• 4.I’d like you to meet…
• 5.Have you met…?
• 6. I’d like to introduce you to…
• 7.Nice to meet you.
• 8.It’s a pleasure to meet you.
• 9.Likewise.
• 10. And you.
• #1 and #2 are used to introduce yourself; #3-#6 are used to introduce someone else.
• #9 and #10 can be used as a response to #7 and #8.

6 Ways to Show Interest – Basic Expressions in English

• 1.Really?
• 2.That’s interesting.
• 3.Uh-huh.
• 4.Right.
• 5.Gotcha.
• 6.Sure.
• You can use these phrases to show the other person that you are listening.

5 Ways to End a Conversation Politely – English Sentences for Beginners

• 1.It was nice chatting with you.
• 2.Well, it’s getting late.
• 3.Anyway, I should get going.
• 4.(formal) Sorry, but I’m afraid I need to…
• 5.I’m sorry to cut you off, but I actually gotta run. (cut you off = interrupt you)

10 English Phrases for Telephone Calls – Common Phrases in English

• 1.Hi, this is Jane.
• 2.(formal) May I speak with John Smith?
• 3.(informal) Is John there?
• 4.I’m calling about…
• 5.I’m returning your call.
• 6.(formal) One moment, please.
• 7.(informal) Hang on a sec.
• 8.He’s not here. Would you like to leave a message?
• 9.Could you ask him to call me back?
• 10. Thanks for calling.

10 Phrases English  for Asking for Information 

• 1.Can you tell me…?
• 2.Could you tell me…?
• 3.I'd like to know…
• 4.Do you know…
• 5.Do you have any idea…?
• 6.Could anyone tell me…?
• (use this phrase when asking a group of people)
• 7.Would you happen to know…?
• 8.I don't suppose you (would) know…?
• 9.I was wondering…
• 10. I’m calling to find out…
• (use this phrase on the telephone)
• Use #4, #5, #7, and #8 when you’re not sure if the other person has the information.

5 Pharses Ways to Say “I don’t know” – Basic Phrases in English for Beginners

• 1.I have no idea/clue.
• 2.I can’t help you there.
• 3.(informal) Beats me.
• 4.I’m not really sure.
• 5.I’ve been wondering that, too.

10 English Phrases for Asking for Someone’s Opinion & Giving Your Opinion

• 1.What do you think about…?
• 2.How do you feel about…?
• 3.What's your opinion of…?
• 4.What are your views on…?
• 5.In my opinion…
• 6. I'd say…
• 7.Personally, I think/believe…
• 8.If you ask me…
• 9.The way I see it…
• 10. From my point of view…

5 English Phrases for Not Having an Opinion

• 1.I’ve never given it much thought.
• 2.I don’t have strong feelings either way.
• 3.It doesn’t make any difference to me.
• 4.I have no opinion on the matter.
• 5.(very informal) Whatever.

10 English Phrases for Agreeing – Beginner Phrases in English

• 1.Exactly.
• 2.Absolutely.
• 3.That’s so true.
• 4.That’s for sure.
• 5.I agree 100%
• 6.I couldn’t agree with you more.
• 7.That’s exactly what I think. / That’s exactly how I feel.
• 8.(informal) Tell me about it! / You’re telling me!
• 9.(informal) I’ll say!
• 10. I suppose so. (use this phrase for weak agreement – you agree, but reluctantly)
• Note: Avoid the common error of saying “I’m agree” – the correct phrase is “I agree” or “I’m in agreement” – the second one is more formal.

10 Common English Phrases for Disagreeing – Beginner Sentences in English

• 1.I don’t think so.
• 2.I beg to differ.
• 3.I’m afraid I don’t agree.
• 4.I’m not so sure about that.
• 5.That’s not how I see it.
• 6.Not necessarily.
• 7.Yes, but… [say your opinion]
• 8.On the contrary.
• 9.(very informal) No way!
• 10. (very strong) I totally disagree.

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5 English Phrases for Responding to Good News – Basic English Sentences

• 1.Congratulations!
• 2.That’s great!
• 3.How wonderful!
• 4.Awesome!
• 5.I’m so happy for you!

5 English Phrases for Responding to Bad News

• 1.Oh no…
• 2.That’s terrible.
• 3.Poor you. (Use this to respond to bad situations that are not too serious)
• 4.I’m so sorry to hear that.
• 5.I’m sorry for your loss. (Use this only if someone has died)

10 English Phrases for Invitations – Easy Sentences in English for Beginners

• 1.Are you free… [Saturday night?]
• 2.Are you doing anything… [Saturday night?]
• 3.Let me check my calendar.
• 4.(informal) Do you wanna… [see a movie?]
• 5.(formal) Would you like to… [join me for dinner?]
• 6.I’d love to!
• 7.Sounds great!
• 8.I’d love to, but I have another commitment.
• 9.I don’t think I can.
• 10. Maybe another time.

5 Ways to Make & Respond to an Offer – Phrases in English

• 1.(more formal) Would you like a drink?
• 2.(informal) Do you want some water?
• 3.Can I get you something to eat?
• 4.That’d be great, thanks. (= yes)
• 5.No, thanks. I’m OK. (= no)

6 English Phrases for Talking About Future Plans – English Beginner Sentences

• 1.I’m going to…
• 2.I’m planning to…
• 3.I hope to…
• 4.I’d like to…
• 5.I might… / I may…
• 6.I’m thinking about…

10 Ways to Talk about Likes & Dislikes – Simple Phrases in English

• 1.I love… [soccer]
• 2.I’m really into… [soccer]
• 3.I live for… [soccer]
• 4.[soccer] is my thing.
• 5.I’m crazy about… [soccer]
• 6.I’m not a huge fan of… [modern art]
• 7.[Modern art] isn’t my cup of tea.
• 8.I don’t really care for… [modern art]
• 9.I’m not into… [modern art]
• 10. I can’t stand… [modern art]

(this phrase expresses strong dislike)

5 Ways to Make a Suggestion – Simple English Phrases for Beginners

• 1.How about… [ex. trying something new]?
• 2.Why don’t you… [ex. talk to your boss]?
• 3.Maybe we should… [ex. do more research].
• 4.I’d recommend… [ex. going to the doctor].
• 5.Have you thought about… [ex. buying a new computer]?

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10 English Phrases for Asking/Talking about Jobs – Useful English Phrases

• 1.Where do you work?
• 2.What do you do? / What do you do for a living?
• 3.I work at… [Microsoft].
• 4.I’m a/an… [accountant].
• 5.I’m unemployed. / I’m between jobs at the moment.
• 6.I’m looking for work.
• 7.I’m a stay-at-home mom/dad.
• 8.I run my own business.
• 9.I’m a freelance… [writer/designer/etc.]
• 10. I’m retired.

10 English Phrases for Describing Relationships – Basic Sentences in English

• 1.I’m single.
• 2.I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
• 3.We’re engaged. (= going to get married)
• 4.We’re getting married in June.
• 5.I’m married.
• 6.I’ve been married for… [10 years].
• 7.I’m divorced.
• 8.I’m widowed.
• (= my husband/wife has died)
• 9.I’m not looking for anything serious.
• 10. I’m not quite over my ex. (= I still have feelings for my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-husband/wife)

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Basic English Phrases – Phrases in English

• Last but not least.
• Little by little.
• Let me go.
• Let me be.
• Long time no see.
• Make yourself at home.
• Make yourself comfortable.
• My pleasure.
• out of question
• More recently,…
• Make best use of
• Nothing
• Nothing at all
• No choice
• No hard feeling
• Not a chance
• Now or never
• No way out/dead end
• No more
• Never say never
• none of your business
• No way
• No problem
• Not long ago
• out of order
• out of luck
• One way or another
• One thing lead to another
• Piece of cake
• Poor thing
• out of the blue
• out of touch
• So?
• So so
• Stay in touch
• So what?
• Step by step
• See?
• Sooner or later
• Shut up!
• That's all
• Too good to be true
• Too bad
• The sooner the better
• Take it or leave it
• There is no denial that…
• Viewed from different angles…
• What is mentioning is that…
• What is more dangerous,…
• Well?
• Well then
• Who knows
• Way to go
• Why not ?
• You see
• No more, no less
• No kidding?

Conclusion

Above is a summary of 200+ Common English Phrases & Idioms. Hopefully, we have contributed to help you learn English in general, become more accessible and more interesting. Good luck with your studies and soon!

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