Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wanted to speak English, but the right words just didn’t come out? Don’t worry-you’re not alone. Most learners struggle at first, not because they don’t know English, but because they don’t know the common phrases people use in daily life.
Think about it: when you greet a friend, order food, or ask for help, you don’t need complicated grammar. You just need useful English phrases that sound natural. That’s exactly what this guide will give you-50 common English phrases for daily conversation, with short examples so you can start using them today.
50 Common English Phrases for Daily Conversation
Greetings and Introduction
1. Hi, how are you?
A simple, friendly way to start a conversation.
👉 “Hi, how are you? Did you have a good weekend?”
2. Nice to meet you.
Use this when meeting someone for the first time.
👉 “Hi, I’m John. Nice to meet you.”
3. Long time no see.
Say this when you meet someone after a while.
👉 “Hey! Long time no see. How have you been?”
4. What’s up?
Casual greeting, often with friends.
👉 “Hey, what’s up? Want to grab a coffee?”
5. How’s it going?
Another way to ask how someone is.
👉 “Hi Sarah, how’s it going at your new job?”
Greetings are the first step to starting any conversation. If you’d like to explore even more ways to say hello, check out my detailed guide on 30 Ways to Greet Someone in English
Daily Interactions
6. Thank you so much.
Polite way to show gratitude.
👉 “Thank you so much for helping me with my homework.”
7. No problem.
A friendly reply to “thank you.”
👉 “Thanks for waiting.” — “No problem.”
8. Excuse me.
Use this to politely get attention.
👉 “Excuse me, can you tell me where the station is?”
9. I’m sorry.
Say this to apologize.
👉 “I’m sorry, I forgot your book at home.”
10. That’s okay.
A polite response to an apology.
👉 “Sorry for being late.” — “That’s okay.”
Asking for Help or Information
11. Can you help me?
👉 “Can you help me carry these bags?”
12. How do I get to [place]?
👉 “How do I get to the airport from here?”
13. What does this mean?
👉 “I don’t understand this word. What does this mean?”
14. Could you repeat that, please?
👉 “Sorry, I didn’t hear you. Could you repeat that, please?”
15. I don’t understand.
👉 “Can you explain again? I don’t understand.”
Shopping and Eating Out
16. How much is this?
👉 “How much is this T-shirt?”
17. Can I try this on?
👉 “Can I try this on in the fitting room?”
18. I’m just looking.
👉 “Thank you, I’m just looking.”
19. I’ll take this.
👉 “I’ll take this one, please.”
20. Could we have the bill, please?
👉 “We’re finished. Could we have the bill, please?”
At Work or School
21. I have a question.
👉 “I have a question about the assignment.”
22. I’m ready.
👉 “I’m ready to start the meeting.”
23. Let’s get started.
👉 “Good morning, everyone. Let’s get started.”
24. That sounds great.
👉 “We’re meeting at 7?” — “That sounds great.”
25. I’ll let you know.
👉 “I’ll let you know if I can come tomorrow.”
Expressing Opinions
26. In my opinion…
👉 “In my opinion, this book is better than the movie.”
27. I agree with you.
👉 “Yes, I agree with you about that plan.”
28. I don’t think so.
👉 “Do you think it’ll rain?” — “I don’t think so.”
29. That’s interesting.
👉 “You’re moving to Canada? That’s interesting.”
30. I’m not sure.
👉 “Are they coming tonight?” — “I’m not sure.”
Everyday Life Situations
31. See you later.
👉 “I have to go now. See you later!”
32. Take care.
👉 “Bye, take care!”
33. Have a nice day.
👉 “Thanks for your help. Have a nice day.”
34. Good luck!
👉 “Good luck on your exam!”
35. Congratulations!
👉 “Congratulations on your new job!”
Travel and Directions
36. Where is the nearest [place]?
👉 “Where is the nearest ATM?”
37. I’d like to check in.
👉 “Hello, I’d like to check in for my flight.”
38. What time does it start?
👉 “What time does the movie start?”
39. Can I get a ticket?
👉 “Can I get a ticket to London, please?”
40. Is this seat taken?
👉 “Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
Social Conversations
41. What do you do?
👉 “So, what do you do for a living?”
42. Where are you from?
👉 “I’m from India. Where are you from?”
43. Do you like it here?
👉 “Do you like it here in New York?”
44. That’s funny!
👉 “You told a great joke. That’s funny!”
45. Really?
👉 “I just met a famous actor.” — “Really?”
Closing Conversations
46. I should get going.
👉 “It’s getting late. I should get going.”
47. Talk to you soon.
👉 “Okay, talk to you soon!”
48. Have a good one.
👉 “Bye! Have a good one.”
49. Catch you later.
👉 “Alright, catch you later.”
50. It was nice talking to you.
👉 “Anyway, it was nice talking to you. See you!”
FAQ – Common English Phrases
Q1: How can I remember these common English phrases for daily conversation?
A: Practice a few phrases every day. Use them in real conversations so they become natural.
Q2: Are these English phrases useful for beginners?
A: Yes! These are simple and practical phrases that anyone can start using immediately.
Q3: Can I use these phrases in professional situations?
A: Many of them are fine at work, but some are casual (like “What’s up?”). Use formal ones in professional settings.
Key Takeaway
Learning common English phrases for daily conversation helps you sound more natural and confident. You don’t need to memorize the dictionary—just start with these everyday expressions.
Next time you meet someone, order food, or ask for help, try using one of these phrases. With practice, speaking English will feel easier and more natural every day.
👉 So, which phrase will you start using today?
Want to expand your greetings vocabulary? Don’t miss my post on 30 Ways to Greet Someone in English