4.1 Expressions
4.1 Expressions
4.1 Expressions
Hello
Good morning/ Good afternoon/ Good evening
How are you?
How are you doing?
Nice to meet you
It’s nice to meet you
I’m pleased to meet you.
It’s a pleasure to meet you.
I’m glad to see you.
How do you do?
General greetings (Informal)
Hi
Hey
What’s up?
How’s it going?
How have you been?
What’s new?
What’s going on?
How are things?
How’s your day?
How’s your day going?
Good to see you.
Greeting someone you haven’t seen for a long time.
Long time no see.
It’s been a while.
It’s been a long time.
It’s been such a long time.
It’s been too long.
I’m so happy to see you again.
Wow, it’s so good to see you again!
What have you been up to?
Useful responses when greeting people
I’m doing very well, thank you. And you?
I’m fine, thank you.
Great, thanks. How are you?
Not bad. You?
Couldn’t be better? How about you?
Wonderful, thank you.
Goodbye
Bye
Bye for now!
See you!
See you soon!
See you later!
Talk to you later!
Catch up with you later.
I hope to see you soon.
See you next time.
I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
It was nice meeting you.
It’s been really nice knowing you.
It has been a pleasure, we’ll speak soon.
It was really great to see you, catch you later.
All the best, bye.
Take care!
Stay in touch.
I’m really going to miss you.
I’ve got to go now.
Apologies Expressions
I’m sorry…
I’m so sorry…
I’m very sorry…
I’m terribly sorry…
Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.
Sorry about that.
Can you forgive me?
I apologize for…
Please forgive me.
I owe you an apology.
You can blame me for this.
How should I apologize to you?
I beg your pardon.
Sorry, it’s my fault.
Sorry for keeping you waiting.
Sorry, I’m late!
To accept an apology, you can use these sentences and expressions:
That’s all right!
Don’t worry about it.
Forget it!
No problem.
Never mind. It doesn’t really matter.
No big thing.
It’s not your fault.
Please don’t blame yourself.
Think nothing of it.
Introducing yourself
Hello. My name is …
Hi. I’m …
Nice to meet you. I’m …
Pleased to meet you. I’m …
It’s a pleasure to see you. I’m…
May I introduce myself? I’m…
How do you do? My name is…
Let me introduce myself. I’m …
I’d like to introduce myself. I’m …
Introducing others:
John, I’d like to introduce you to Mary.
John, please meet Mary.
John, I’d like you to meet Mary.
John, have you met Mary?
John, let me introduce you to Mary.
John, this is Mary. Mary, this is John.
Useful responses when introducing yourself or other people:
Nice to meet you.
I’m pleased to meet you.
It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Glad to meet you.
How do you do?
Useful Responses:
You’re welcome!
It was my pleasure.
My pleasure.
Don’t mention it.
Forget it.
No big deal.
It’s nothing.
Think nothing of it.
I’m glad that I can help you.
Giving Compliments:
Good job!
Well done!
Fantastic!
Perfect!
That’s great!
Nice work!
Excellent!
That’s really remarkable.
Good grades!
What a nice dress!
You look great.
This dish is delicious.
You look very good in that suit.
This tie looks nice on you.
You have a nice voice.
You look very handsome.
I like your haircut.
What a beautiful house!
What a nice apartment!
I really must express my admiration for your speech.
Receiving compliments:
How kind of you to say so.
It’s nice of you to say so.
It’s very kind of you to say that.
Really? I’m not sure about that, actually.
Thank you.
Thanks a lot.
I’m glad you like it.
It was nothing really.
I’m delighted to hear that.
Thanks for your compliment.
Making a complaint
I’m sorry to say this but…
I hate to tell you but…
I’m angry about…
I have a complaint to make…
There seems to be a problem with…
I’m afraid there is a slight problem with…
Sorry to bother you but…
I’m not satisfied with…
Wouldn’t be a good idea to…
There appears to be something wrong with…
I was expecting… but…
Sorry to bother you but…
I want to complain about…
I’m afraid I’ve got a complaint about…
I have to make a complaint about…
I don’t understand why…
Excuse me but there is a problem…
Would you mind…?
Accepting a complaint
I’m so sorry, but this will never happen again.
I’m sorry, we promise never to make the same mistake again.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am.
I wish I never happened.
Rejecting a complaint
Sorry, there is nothing we can do about it.
Sorry but it’s not our fault.
I’m afraid there isn’t much we can do about it.
Expressing Likes:
I like…
I love…
I enjoy…
I adore…
I ‘m crazy about…
I’m mad about…
I’m keen on…
Examples:
I like dogs.
I love cooking.
I enjoy playing football.
I’m crazy about pizza.
I’m fond of rock music.
Do you like tennis? Yes, I do.
Expressing dislikes:
I don’t like…
I dislike…
I hate…
I can’t bear…
I can’t stand…
Examples:
I don’t like him.
I can’t stand these people.
I can’t stand this smell.
I don’t like washing dishes.
I hate going to the dentist.
Expressing Uncertainty:
I’m not sure about it.
I doubt it.
I’m not really sure about…
I don’t know for sure…
It’s very unlikely.
I have my own doubts.
I don’t think so.
I don’t believe this is true.
There’s some doubt in my mind that …
I’m not a hundred percent sure.
I don’t know yet.
Making invitations:
Do you feel like going for a walk?
Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
Would you like to play cards?
Would you like a cup of coffee?
What about a cup of tea?
I would like you to have lunch with us tomorrow.
Would you be interested in going to the movies tonight?
Why don’t you have lunch with me tomorrow?
How about joining me for a walk?
I invite you to have breakfast with me tomorrow morning.
Accepting an Invitation:
Thank you for your kind invitation.
I’d love to, thanks.
I’ll be glad to do so.
Thanks, I’d like that very much.
That’s a great idea.
Thanks for inviting me to dinner.
It’s very nice of you.
Many thanks for your kind invitation. I’ll join you.
Sure. Thank you.
With pleasure!
Refusing an Invitation:
I’m sorry to refuse your invitation.
I can’t, sorry. I have to work.
Thanks for your invitation but I’m busy now.
I’m afraid I won’t be able to come.
I’m afraid I will be busy tomorrow.
Sorry, I’d love to but I have an appointment.
I really don’t think I can, sorry.
That’s very kind of you, but I can’t accept your invitation.
Making requests:
Will/Would/Can/Could you please…
Do you mind…?
Do you think you could…?
Do you think it would be possible to…?
Would it be possible for you to…?
Would there be any possibility of…
Would you be kind enough to…?
Would you mind…?
Can/could you… for me, please?
Could you possibly…
I’d appreciate it if you could…
Can/Could I ask you to…?
You couldn’t… could you?
Examples:
Can you give me the book?
Could you please take off your raincoat?
Could you please take me to the dentist?
Would you mind opening the window for me, please?
Would you be kind enough to repair my computer?
Do you think you could take me to the supermarket?
Could I ask you to take me home?
Can you tell me what happened?
Would you come to my birthday party?
Would it be possible for you to come here at 8 A.M?
Accepting Requests:
Sure, I’d be glad to…
I’d be happy to …
Sure. Just a moment.
No problem.
Of course
Certainly.
All right.
Refusing Requests:
I’m sorry, I can’t.
I’m sorry, but …
I’d loved to, but …
Sorry to say that …
It sounds great, but …
Making Offers:
Can I…?
Shall I…?
Would you like me to…(do something)?
Would you like…(something)?
Do you want me to…(do something)?
Do you want…(something)?
Let me…(do something)
I can…If you’d like
I’d be happy to…(do something)
May I offer you… (something)?
I will…If you’d like
Examples:
Would you like something to drink?
Would you like me to open the door?
Can I help you?
Can I give you a hand?
Let me help you.
Would you like me to answer the phone?
Do you want some more tea?
Do you want me to turn down the TV?
I’d happy to take you to the airport.
May I offer you a cup of coffee.
Accepting Offers:
Yes, please.
Yes, I’d love to.
Yes. That would be great.
Yes please, that would be lovely.
Yes, If you wouldn’t mind.
That’s very kind of you.
That sounds nice.
Thank you. I’d like to.
Refusing Offers:
No, thanks.
It’s Ok. I can do it myself.
Thank you for your kindness but I can do it myself.
Don’t worry. I can do it.
I appreciate that but I can do it myself.
Don’t you think it would be a good idea to have a picnic this Sunday?
Accepting Suggestions:
Thanks, I’ll do it.
It sounds good.
Refusing suggestions:
No, I’d rather not.
Expressing sympathy:
That’s too bad.
That’s so sad.
I’m sorry. What bad luck!
I hope things get better soon.
It will be OK soon.
I hope you feel better soon.
What a pity!
Oh, that’s terrible.
Be patient, it will be better soon.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am.
Oh, I am sorry to hear that .
I know how it feels.
I take my sympathy to you.
You must be very upset about it.
I sympathize with your condition.
Responding:
It’s very kind of you.
Thank you very much.
It would be Ok, thanks.
Thanks for your sympathy.
Thanks for your support.
Expressing Congratulations:
Congratulations!
Great!
Well done!
Please accept my warmest congratulations…
Let me offer you my congratulations.
I’d like to congratulate you on …
Let me congratulate you on. ..
Congratulations on your promotion!
Congratulations on your graduation!
Congratulations! You deserve it!
That was excellent. Congratulations!
Good wishes:
Best wishes!
Best wishes on your new job!
Best of luck!
Good luck to you!
All the best…
Wish you a happy married life.
Useful Responses:
Thanks.
Thanks so much.
Thanks a million.
Thanks a lot.
Thank you for your kindness.
It’s very kind of you.
It’s very nice of you.
Thanks for your support.
Thanks for your kind words.
Agreeing:
I completely agree.
You’re absolutely right.
I agree with you entirely.
I totally agree with you.
I couldn’t agree more.
Exactly.
Absolutely!
You’re right.
Me too!
I agree.
I see exactly what you mean!
That’s exactly what I think.
There is no doubt about it.
Partly agreeing:
I agree up to a point, but …
That’s partly true, but …
That may be true, but…
I see your point, but …
I guess so, but…
That seems obvious, but…
I’m not so sure about that.
Disagreeing:
I don’t agree!
I don’t agree with you.
I totally disagree!
I’m sorry, but I disagree.
Absolutely not!
I’m afraid I can’t agree with you.
That’s not right!
That’s not always true.
I don’t think so.
No, that’s not true.
No way!
Asking directions
Excuse me, do you know where the bookstore is?
How can I get to the train station from here?
Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the bus station?
Can you show me the way to the post office?
Excuse me, where is the hospital?
Can you show me on the map?
What’s the best way to get to the airport?
What’s the fastest way to the airport?
How far is it to the stadium from here?
What street is this?
Is this the way to the police station?
Is there a supermarket near here?
Can you give me directions to the gas station?
Making friends
Phone call
Admitting mistakes:
I have to admit that I was wrong.
I admit what I’ve done is wrong.
I shouldn’t be like this.
Sorry. I know this was my fault.
I’m fully responsible for this matter.
I have made a mistake.
It’s my mistake. Forgive me.
Yes, I take the blame.
I was the one to blame.
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.
I never intended it that way.
Useful responses:
Don’t mention it.
Let it go.
That’s fine.
Just take it easy.
Don’t do it again.
Forget it. It doesn’t matter.
That would be okay.
Don’t worry about it.
It’s okay
Making promises:
I promise that I will finish the job on time.
I promise you that that’s the truth.
I swear I will never leave you.
I swear I won’t let you down.
I assure you that I will return the book tomorrow morning.
I assure you that I will be there on time.
Believe me, I won’t make you disappointed.
Trust me, I can do it.
Useful Responses:
Thank you.
I believe you.
All right. Keep your promise.
I hope you will keep your word.
Just let the time answer it.