200+ Common English Phrases & Idioms for Beginners

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 Ways to Say Hello & Goodbye

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 Ask How Someone Is

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 Say Thank You

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)
5 Ways to Respond to an Apology

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.
6 Ways to Show Interest

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 English Phrases for Telephone Calls

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

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.
5 English Phrases for Not Having an Opinion

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 English Phrases for Agreeing

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.
10 English Phrases for Disagreeing

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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 Good News

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)
5 English Phrases for Responding to Bad News

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.
10 English Phrases for Invitations

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…
6 English Phrases for Talking About Future Plans

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]?

You might also like: How to Learn English – The Easiest Way to Learn English

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)

You might also like: How to Improve English Communication Skills?

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!

In addition, you can refer to many other basic English test preparation materials, such as English stories, words, grammar, sentences, … are constantly update on Englishtivi.com.

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