English phrases used in everyday situations.

What is ____ like?

When we want someone to describe something or someone for us, we can ask the question “What is … like?“ What is the weather like? It’s hot and sunny. What’s your mother like? She’s patient and kind. What’s New York like? It’s big and exciting. What was the match like? It was boring.

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Ordering in a cafe, restaurant or pub

When we order something in a cafe, restaurant, bar or pub, we can use the following expressions: Can I have an orange juice, please? Could I have some cheese and tomato sandwiches, please? I’d like a glass of mineral water, please. I’ll have steak and a jacket potato, please. Have you got any ginger beer? Do you have any prawn cocktail crisps?

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Offering, accepting and refusing

Offering When we offer something to somebody we can use the following forms: Would you like some coffee?   Do you want some fruit?   Can I get you something to drink?   What would you like for desert? Accepting We can accept an offer in the following ways: Yes please, that would be great.   That’s very kind of you. Thank you. […]

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Making suggestions

Making suggestions When we have an idea to do something together we can use one of the following forms: Let’s go to the beach! Shall we go to the park? What about watching a film? How about ordering a pizza? Why don’t we go swimming? Responding When we think something is a good idea we can respond with one of the following expressions: That’s a […]

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Introductions

Introducing yourself: John: Hi, I’m John. Ann: Hi John. I’m Ann. John: Nice to meet you, Ann. Ann: Nice to meet you too, John. At the end of the first meeting: John: Well, it was nice meeting you, Ann. Ann: Nice meeting you too, John. Introducing other people: Peter: John, I’d like you to meet Ann. Ann, this is John. John: Hi, Ann. Nice to meet you. Ann: Nice to meet you too, […]

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Language to use when giving and receiving

Giving When we give something to somebody we can use one of the following expressions: Here you are. There you are. Here’s your drink. There’s your change. Receiving When we take something off somebody we can use one of the following expressions: Thank you. Thanks very much (indeed). Cheers. (Informal) Replying Not everybody responds when you thank them, but it […]

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Expressing opinion

You can introduce your opinion or show that you agree or disagree wth someone by starting your sentence with one of the following expressions: Introducing opinion (Personally), I think (that) In my opinion… In my view… I’d say (that)… If you ask me… I believe (that)… I’m sure (that)… I reckon (that)… To my mind… I feel (that)… As far […]

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Expressing likes/dislikes

When we want to say how much we like something or dislike something, we can use one of the following expressions: Positive Normal Negative I love it. I quite like it. I don’t like it at all. I really like it. It’s ok. I hate it. I like it very much. It isn’t bad. I really don’t like it

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Asking someone to do something

When we ask somebody to do something for us we can use the following forms: Could you help me please? Can you lend me five euros, please? A more polite form has the following construction: Would you mind -ing form of verb Would you mind opening the window, please? Would you mind passing me the salt? Would you mind not smoking?

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Asking and Giving Directions

Train station

Asking for directions – Could you tell me the way to the train station, please? – Could you tell me how to get to the nearest post office, please? – Is there a cashpoint near here? – How far is it to the airport? Giving directions – Go straight on for 50 metres until you get to the fire station, then turn […]

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