American and British English. This page includes both American English and British English expressions. Some phrases are more common in one variety than the other, but you will hear and need both, so we keep them side by side.
Every row below starts with a correct but very basic A2 sentence — the kind you learn first. Next to it are several ways a real native speaker would express the exact same thing at a C1 level. You don't need to memorize all the alternatives for each phrase — just start swapping one or two into your own speech at a time.
Everyday Phrases by Category
20 categories, 600 phrase pairs, over 1,500 C1-level alternatives in total.
Opinions & Beliefs
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I think that... | I'm inclined to think that... / If you ask me, ... |
| I don't think so. | I'm not so sure about that. / I doubt that's the case. |
| I agree. | You've got a point there. / That's precisely my view. |
| I disagree. | I'm afraid I don't share that view. / I'd push back on that. |
| I believe it is true. | I'm fairly sure that's the case. / I think there's some truth in it. / I tend to believe it. |
| I am sure. | I'm positive. / I'm absolutely certain. |
| I am not sure. | I'm not entirely convinced. / I'm still on the fence. / I couldn't say for certain. |
| In my opinion... | Personally, ... / From where I stand, ... |
| What do you think? | What's your take on this? / How do you see it? |
| It is good. | It's really solid. / It's well done. / It's pretty impressive. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| It is bad. | It's not up to scratch. / It's a letdown. |
| I understand. | I see what you mean. / That's clear to me. / Now I'm with you. |
| I don't understand. | I don't follow. / I'm not getting it. / You've lost me. |
| It is easy. | It's pretty simple. / It's not that hard. |
| It is difficult. | It's quite tricky. / It's a real challenge. / It's not easy. |
| I know. | I'm fully aware of that. / That's nothing new to me. / I already knew that. |
| I don't know. | I have no idea. / I couldn't tell you. / I haven't a clue. |
| It is important. | It's a big deal. / It's a top priority. |
| I prefer this one. | I'd go for this one. / I like this one better. |
| I doubt it. | I seriously doubt it. / I'm skeptical. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I am wrong. | My mistake. / I was mistaken. / I got the wrong end of the stick. |
| I am right. | I'm pretty sure I'm right. / I stand by what I said. / I know I'm right. |
| It makes sense. | That's logical. / That's reasonable. / That figures. |
| It doesn't make sense. | It doesn't hold together. / That makes no sense. |
| I have no opinion. | I don't have strong feelings either way. / I'm neutral on it. / I haven't made up my mind. |
| I changed my mind. | I've had second thoughts. / I've thought better of it. |
| That's true. | That's fair. / That's a good point. / That's right. |
| That's not true. | That's not the case. / That's simply not true. / That's not accurate. |
| I want to know more. | I'd like to hear more. / I'm keen to find out more. / Tell me more. |
| It depends. | It depends on the situation. / That's hard to say. / It varies. |
1 / 3
Wishes & Preferences
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I want to... | I feel like... / I'd like to... |
| I like this. | I'm really enjoying this. / This is right up my street. / This is great. |
| I love this. | I'm crazy about this. / This is my absolute favorite. |
| I don't like this. | This isn't for me. / I'm not a fan of this. / This isn't really my thing. |
| I want to go. | I'm ready to head off. / I'd like to get going. / I'm keen to get going. |
| I want to eat. | I could do with something to eat. / I'm ready for a bite. / I could eat something. |
| I want to sleep. | I need to get some rest. / I could do with some sleep. / I'm ready for bed. |
| I want to buy this. | I'm thinking of getting this. / I'd like to pick this up. / I'm going to get this. |
| I want to see it. | I'd like to have a look at it. / Can I take a look? / I'd like to check it out. |
| I prefer coffee. | I'll go for coffee. / I'd opt for coffee. / Coffee suits me better. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I don't want to talk. | I'm not in the mood to talk. / I don't feel like talking. |
| I wish I could. | I'd love to, but I can't. / I wish that were possible. / Unfortunately, I can't. |
| I hope so. | I really hope so. / Let's hope so. / I'm hoping so. |
| I need help. | I could use a hand. / I need some support. / I'd appreciate some help. |
| I would like to... | I'm hoping to... / I'd be keen to... |
| Do you want...? | Would you like...? / Are you up for...? / Do you fancy...? |
| Can I have...? | Could I get...? / Might I have...? / Would it be all right if I had...? |
| I am bored. | I'm bored stiff. / I'm really not into this. / This is so dull. |
| I am excited. | I can't wait. / I'm so pumped up. / I'm all fired up. |
| I don't mind. | It doesn't bother me. / I'm fine with it. / I'm easy. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I would rather not. | I'd rather not, if that's okay. / I'd prefer not to. / I'll pass, thanks. |
| I really want it. | I'm dying for it. / I want it badly. |
| I feel like doing something fun. | I feel like letting my hair down. / Let's do something fun. / I fancy a bit of fun. |
| I changed my mind about it. | I've reconsidered. / I've had second thoughts about it. / I've come round on it. |
| I would love that. | That sounds wonderful. / I'd be delighted. / I'd be happy to. |
| I am craving something sweet. | I've got a real craving for something sweet. / I could murder something sweet. / I really fancy something sweet. |
| I want to relax. | I want to unwind. / I'd like to chill out. / I need to take it easy. |
| I want to try something new. | I'd like to branch out. / I want to try something different. / I feel like shaking things up. |
| I am not interested. | It's not really for me. / It doesn't appeal to me. / I'm not really into it. |
| I would appreciate it. | I'd be grateful. / That would be a big help. |
1 / 3
Social Life & Work
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| How are you? | How are things? / How's everything? / How're you getting on? |
| How is your work? | How's work going? / How are things at the office? / Is work treating you well? |
| I am busy. | I'm run off my feet. / I've got my hands full. / I've barely got a minute to myself. |
| I am free. | I'm around. / I'm available. / I've got a gap in my day. |
| Let's meet. | We should meet up. / We should get together soon. / Let's arrange something. |
| See you later. | Talk soon. / Take care. |
| Can you help me? | Could you help me out? / Would you mind helping me? |
| Thank you. | Thanks a lot. / Thanks so much. |
| You are welcome. | Not at all. / Any time. |
| Sorry I am late. | Sorry to keep you waiting. / Apologies for being late. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I have an idea. | I've had a thought. / Something just occurred to me. / I've got a suggestion. |
| What time is it? | Have you got the time? / What time do you make it? / Do you know what time it is? |
| I am ready. | I'm ready when you are. / I'm prepared. / Everything's in place. |
| It is okay. | It's fine. / That's all right. / It's not bad. |
| Have a nice day. | Make it a good one. / Hope your day goes well. |
| Good luck. | Hope it goes well. / Wishing you the best. |
| I am tired. | I'm exhausted. / I'm shattered. |
| Call me later. | Give me a call later. / Ring me later. |
| What do you do? | What's your job? / What do you do for work? |
| Where do you work? | Who do you work for? / What company are you with? |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I got a new job. | I landed a new job. / I've started a new job. / I've found a new job. |
| I lost my job. | I was let go. / I've been made redundant. |
| I have a lot of friends. | I know a lot of people. / I've got loads of friends. |
| Let's hang out. | Let's do something together. / Let's catch up. |
| I introduced myself. | I gave my name and said hello. / I introduced myself around. |
| I get along with him. | We get on well. / We click. |
| I don't get along with her. | We don't see eye to eye. / We don't really click. |
| I made a new friend. | I've made a new friend. / I've struck up a new friendship. / I've befriended someone. |
| I have to go now. | I've got to head off. / I need to run. |
| Nice to meet you. | Delighted to meet you. / A pleasure to meet you. / It's a pleasure. |
1 / 3
Emotions & Health
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I am happy. | I'm delighted. / I'm in a good mood. / I'm really pleased. |
| I am sad. | I'm feeling down. / I'm a bit low. / I'm feeling blue. |
| I am angry. | I'm furious. / I'm really annoyed. |
| I am scared. | I'm frightened. / I'm really afraid. |
| I am relaxed. | I'm feeling calm. / I'm feeling relaxed. |
| I am confused. | I'm lost. / I'm baffled. / I'm totally puzzled. |
| I am surprised. | I'm shocked. / I didn't see that coming. |
| I am hungry. | I'm really hungry. / I could eat something. |
| I am thirsty. | I'm really thirsty. / I could do with a drink. |
| I am cold. | I'm really cold. / I've got the chills. / I can't get warm. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I am hot. | I'm boiling. / I'm really hot. |
| I feel sick. | I'm not feeling well. / I feel unwell. / I feel queasy. |
| I am better. | I'm feeling better. / I'm getting there. |
| I am worse. | I'm getting worse. / I'm feeling worse. / I'm going downhill. |
| I am hurt. | I'm in pain. / It really hurts. |
| I am lonely. | I'm feeling isolated. / I feel alone. / I'm feeling really lonely. |
| I am proud. | I feel a real sense of pride. / I'm bursting with pride. / I'm really proud of this. |
| I am ashamed. | I'm thoroughly ashamed. / I feel awful about it. |
| I am calm. | I'm keeping calm. / I'm feeling steady. |
| I am curious. | I want to know more. / It's piqued my curiosity. / I'm dying to find out more. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I am nervous. | I'm anxious. / I'm a bundle of nerves. |
| I am stressed. | I'm overwhelmed. / I'm stretched thin. |
| I am jealous. | I'm envious. / I feel a bit jealous. / I'm a bit green with envy. |
| I am disappointed. | I'm let down. / It's a real letdown for me. / I'm a bit deflated. |
| I feel great. | I'm in great form. / I feel amazing. |
| I have a headache. | I've got a pounding headache. / I've got a throbbing head. / I've got a killer headache. |
| I need to rest. | I need a breather. / I need to put my feet up. |
| I feel weak. | I'm feeling run down. / I'm all out of energy. / I'm feeling wiped. |
| I am grateful. | I'm thankful. / I'm really grateful. |
| I am confident. | I'm self-assured. / I feel sure of myself. |
1 / 3
Daily Actions
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I wake up. | I get up around... / I'm up by... / I roll out of bed around... |
| I go to bed. | I call it a night around... / I'm in bed by... |
| I take a shower. | I have a quick wash. / I freshen up. |
| I eat breakfast. | I have a bite before I go. / I have breakfast on the go. |
| I go to work. | I commute to the office. / I set off for work. |
| I clean the house. | I tidy up the house. / I do the housework. / I give the place a good clean. |
| I cook dinner. | I make dinner. / I get dinner on. |
| I watch TV. | I put the TV on. / I watch a bit of telly. / I catch up on some TV. |
| I read a book. | I read for a bit. / I settle down with a book. |
| I listen to music. | I listen to some tunes. / I stick on some music. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I call my friend. | I phone a friend. / I catch up with a friend. |
| I go shopping. | I run some errands. / I head out to the shops. / I go out shopping. |
| I walk the dog. | I take the dog around the block. / I give the dog its daily walk. |
| I study English. | I work on my English. / I practice my English. |
| I relax. | I unwind. / I chill out. |
| I exercise. | I work out. / I get some exercise. / I keep fit. |
| I pay bills. | I settle my bills. / I deal with the bills. |
| I drive to work. | I drive in to work. / I commute by car. / I take the car to work. |
| I use the computer. | I work on the computer. / I use my laptop. |
| I finish work. | I wrap up work. / I finish for the day. / I finish up. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I make coffee. | I make some coffee. / I brew some coffee. |
| I get dressed. | I throw on some clothes. / I put my clothes on. |
| I go grocery shopping. | I go to the supermarket. / I pick up the groceries. |
| I do the laundry. | I do a load of laundry. / I do the washing. / I put a load in the wash. |
| I take a nap. | I have a nap. / I have a quick lie-down. / I take a power nap. |
| I check my phone. | I have a quick look at my phone. / I scroll through my phone. |
| I brush my teeth. | I give my teeth a good brush. / I do my teeth before bed. / I brush my teeth first thing. |
| I go to sleep late. | I go to bed late. / I keep late hours. / I stay up into the small hours. |
| I get things done. | I get stuff done. / I get through my to-do list. |
| I take a break. | I take a breather. / I stop for a bit. / I have a short break. |
1 / 3
Problems & Solutions
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I have a problem. | I've run into a problem. / I've got an issue. |
| It is broken. | It's out of order. / It's stopped working. / It's busted. |
| I lost my key. | I can't find my key. / My key has gone AWOL. / I don't know where my key is. |
| I am lost. | I don't know where I am. / I've taken a wrong turn. |
| I am late. | I'll be a little late. / I'm going to be a few minutes late. / I've been held up. |
| I made a mistake. | I slipped up. / I got it wrong. / I made an error. |
| I forgot. | It slipped my mind. / It totally escaped me. |
| I am sorry. | I'm really sorry. / Sorry about that. |
| Don't worry. | It's not a big deal. / Nothing to worry about. / Take it easy. |
| It is my fault. | It's on me. / I take the blame. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Help me. | I need a hand. / Could you give me a hand? / I could use some help here. |
| What is wrong? | Is something up? / What's eating you? / Is everything okay? |
| I need more time. | I need a bit longer. / Give me a bit more time. |
| It is too expensive. | It costs too much. / It's over my budget. |
| It is too slow. | It's really sluggish. / It's crawling. |
| It is too small. | It's a bit on the small side. / It's too tight. |
| It is too big. | It's a bit on the large side. / It's a bit bulky. |
| I can't do it. | I'm not able to do it. / I don't think I can. / It's beyond me. |
| Try again. | Have another go. / Have another shot. |
| It is okay. | It's fine. / It's all right. / It's fine by me. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| It stopped working. | It's given up on me. / It's died on me. / It's stopped working on me. |
| I need to fix this. | I've got to sort this out. / I need to put this right. |
| It is complicated. | It's a bit of a tangle. / It's a lot to take in. / It's not simple. |
| I gave up. | I gave up on it. / I've had enough of it. |
| I solved it. | I've cracked it. / I've got the answer. / It's finally clicked. |
| I need advice. | I need some guidance. / I could do with some advice. / I need a steer. |
| It went wrong. | It didn't work out. / It fell through. |
| I ran out of time. | Time's up. / I've used up all my time. |
| It is not working. | It's not working properly. / It's on the blink. |
| I need to cancel. | I've got to call it off. / I need to back out. |
1 / 3
Communication & Questions
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| What is this? | What's that supposed to be? / What's this thing here? |
| Who is he? | Who's that? / Who's that man? / Who is that guy? |
| Where is it? | Where's it gone? / Do you know where it is? |
| Why are you here? | What are you here for? / What made you come here? |
| Can you repeat? | Would you mind repeating that? / Sorry, could you repeat that? |
| Speak slowly. | Could you slow down a bit? / Take it a bit slower. / Not so fast, please. |
| What does it mean? | What do you mean by that? / What does that actually mean? |
| How do I say...? | How would you say...? / What's the word for...? / What's the best way to say...? |
| Can you explain? | Could you break it down for me? / Could you spell it out? |
| I didn't hear. | I didn't quite get that. / That went past me. / I lost you there. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Listen to me. | Listen up. / Lend me an ear. / Give me a minute of your attention. |
| Look at this. | Look what I've found. / Take a gander at this. |
| Tell me. | Go on, tell me. / Give me the details. / Don't keep me in suspense. |
| Ask him. | Put it to him. / Ask him directly. |
| Write it down. | Make a note. / Commit it to paper. |
| Read this. | Have a read of this. / Take a look at this. / Read this over. |
| Open the book. | Crack open the book. / Open your book. |
| Close the door. | Pull the door shut. / Could you shut the door? |
| Sit down. | Please sit. / Take the weight off your feet. / Do sit down. |
| Stand up. | On your feet. / Stand up, please. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I have a question. | Can I ask something? / I've got a question. |
| I don't agree with that statement. | I don't buy that. / I can't go along with that. / I'm not convinced by that. |
| Speak up. | Could you speak up a bit? / A bit louder, please. |
| Keep your voice down. | Lower your voice. / Not so loud. |
| Let's talk about it. | Let's sit down and discuss it. / Let's sort it out. |
| I have nothing to say. | I don't have anything to say. / I've said all I have to say. |
| That's a good question. | Good question. / I'm glad you asked. |
| Correct me if I'm wrong. | Stop me if I'm wrong. / Tell me if I've got this wrong. |
| I'll explain later. | I'll go into it later. / Let me get back to you on that. |
| Don't interrupt me. | Hear me out. / Don't cut me off. |
1 / 3
Travel & Getting Around
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I want a ticket. | I'd like to buy a ticket. / One ticket, please. |
| Where is the bus? | Where's the bus stop? / Which way to the bus? |
| It is far. | It's quite a way. / It's a fair distance. / It's a bit of a trek. |
| It is near. | It's close by. / It's not far. |
| Turn left. | Turn left up ahead. / Bear left here. |
| Turn right. | Turn right up ahead. / Bear right here. |
| Go straight. | Head straight ahead. / Carry on straight. / Continue straight. |
| I am tired of walking. | I'm all walked out. / My legs are aching. |
| Is it open? | Are they open now? / Are they open for customers? |
| Is it closed? | Are they shut? / Are they closed now? |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I want to book a room. | I'd like to make a reservation. / I'm looking to book a room. / Do you have any rooms available? |
| Where is the toilet? | Where's the loo? / Where are the toilets? |
| I am hungry. | I'm starving. / I'm really hungry. / I could do with a bite. |
| I am thirsty. | I'm really thirsty. / I could do with some water. / I'm gasping for a drink. |
| The train is fast. | The train is really quick. / It's a speedy train. / The train goes at a fair clip. |
| I like this place. | I'm really taken with this place. / I love it here. / I'm fond of this place. |
| I want to go home. | I'm heading home. / I'd like to get home. / I'd better be getting home. |
| Take me there. | Could you drop me off there? / Could you give me a lift there? |
| Have a good trip. | Enjoy your trip. / Have a great trip. |
| I missed my flight. | My flight's gone without me. / My plane left without me. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| My flight is delayed. | My flight has been pushed back. / My flight's delayed. / My flight's late taking off. |
| I need to check in. | I need to do check-in. / I've got to check in. / I have to get checked in. |
| I am packing my bags. | I'm packing up. / I'm packing for the trip. |
| The traffic is bad. | It's bumper to bumper. / The traffic's a nightmare. |
| I need directions. | Could you point me in the right direction? / Which way is it? / I'm not sure which way to go. |
| I got on the wrong bus. | I took the wrong bus. / I got on the wrong one. / I boarded the wrong bus. |
| The road is closed. | The road's shut. / The road's blocked. / The road's been closed off. |
| I want a window seat. | I'd like a window seat. / Could I have a window seat? / I'll take the window seat. |
| We arrived early. | We got here early. / We were ahead of time. / We arrived ahead of schedule. |
| I need a taxi. | I need a cab. / Could you call me a taxi? / I'm looking for a cab. |
1 / 3
Shopping & Money
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I want to buy this. | I'm going to get this. / I'll buy this. / I'm thinking of buying this. |
| How much is it? | What's the damage? / What's the cost? / How much am I looking at? |
| It is too much. | It's a bit much. / That's too much. |
| I have no money. | I'm out of cash. / I haven't got any money. |
| I pay by card. | I'll put it on my card. / I'll pay with my card. |
| I pay by cash. | I'll pay with cash. / I'll use cash. / Cash it is. |
| Where is the shop? | Where can I find a shop? / Is there a shop nearby? / Where's the nearest shop? |
| I need a bag. | Could I have a bag? / Have you got a bag? |
| I want a refund. | I'd like a refund. / Can I get a refund? |
| It is on sale. | It's at a reduced price. / It's reduced. / It's going at a discount. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Do you have size M? | Do you have this in a medium? / Do you stock this in medium? / Have you got this in M? |
| Can I try this on? | Could I try this on? / Do you mind if I try this on? / Can I slip this on? |
| I am looking for... | I'm in the market for... / I'm seeking... |
| I will take it. | I'll have it. / I'll take that. |
| It is cheap. | It's really reasonable. / It's good value. |
| It is expensive. | It's pricey. / It's a bit steep. |
| Where is the receipt? | Have you seen the receipt? / Have you got the receipt? / Where did the receipt go? |
| I want to return this. | I'd like to return this. / I want to take this back. |
| Do you accept credit cards? | Do you take cards? / Can I pay by card? / Is card OK? |
| I am saving money. | I'm putting some money aside. / I'm cutting back. / I'm saving up. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I spent too much. | I splurged. / I went overboard. |
| This is a good deal. | This is a great deal. / That's a bargain. / This is good value. |
| I am broke. | I'm strapped for cash. / I'm short on cash. |
| I need to withdraw money. | I need to get some cash out. / I need to take money out. / I need to hit the ATM. |
| I want to compare prices. | I want to shop around. / I'd like to compare prices. / Let me check other prices. |
| That's a rip-off. | That's extortionate. / That's way too much. |
| I paid in full. | I paid off the whole amount. / I settled the bill in full. / I paid it off in one go. |
| I am on a budget. | I'm working with a tight budget. / I'm sticking to a budget. |
| Can I get a discount? | Is there any chance of a discount? / Can you knock something off? / Could you do me a better price? |
| This is worth the price. | It's good value for money. / It's worth every penny. / It's worth what they're asking. |
1 / 3
Time & Plans
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| What time is it? | What's the time? / Do you know what time it is? |
| See you tomorrow. | Until tomorrow. / Talk tomorrow. |
| See you next week. | Talk next week. / Until next week. |
| I am free on Friday. | I'm around on Friday. / I'm available on Friday. |
| I have a meeting. | I've got a meeting lined up. / I've got a meeting on the calendar. / I've got a meeting coming up. |
| I am busy today. | I've got a lot going on today. / I've got a full day. / My day is packed. |
| It is early. | It's still early. / It's still early in the day. / It's not even eight. |
| It is late. | It's a bit late. / It's getting on. / It's pretty late. |
| Do you have time? | Have you got a moment? / Are you free for a bit? |
| I am in a hurry. | I've got to rush. / I'm running short on time. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Wait for me. | Hold on for me. / Bear with me. / Wait up. |
| It takes time. | It won't happen overnight. / Good things take time. |
| I am ready. | I'm all set. / I'm all prepared. / I've got everything ready. |
| Let's go. | Let's get moving. / Shall we? / Let's make a move. |
| I have a busy schedule. | I've got a packed schedule. / My diary's full. / I've got a lot on. |
| Are you free? | Have you got a minute? / Are you available? |
| I am checking my calendar. | I'm checking my schedule. / Let me look at my calendar. |
| I finished. | I'm done. / I've got it finished. |
| I will be there. | Count on me. / I'll be along. |
| Can we change the time? | Can we move it? / Could we push it back? / Can we shift the time? |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Let's plan ahead. | Let's get organized. / Let's think ahead. |
| I need to reschedule. | I'll have to reschedule. / I need to move it. / I need to rebook. |
| I am running out of time. | I'm almost out of time. / I'm short on time. / Time's running out. |
| It happened suddenly. | It came out of the blue. / It was out of the blue. / It caught me off guard. |
| I will do it soon. | I'll do it before long. / I'll get on to it soon. |
| I have plenty of time. | I'm in no rush. / I've got time on my hands. / I've got all the time I need. |
| Let's start on time. | Let's start on schedule. / Let's begin on time. / Let's get going on time. |
| It's overdue. | It's past due. / It should have been done by now. / It's behind schedule. |
| I lost track of time. | I lost track of the time. / I forgot the time. |
| Let's set a deadline. | Let's set a cut-off. / Let's put a date on it. |
1 / 3
Weather & Nature
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| It is sunny. | The sun's out. / It's a lovely sunny day. / It's bright and sunny. |
| It is raining. | It's pouring. / It's raining hard. / It's coming down. |
| It is windy. | It's really blustery. / There's a strong wind. / The wind's picking up. |
| It is cold outside. | It's freezing out. / It's bitterly cold out. / It's chilly outside. |
| It is hot outside. | It's boiling out. / It's sweltering outside. / It's roasting out there. |
| The weather is nice. | It's lovely out. / The weather's gorgeous. / It's a beautiful day. |
| The weather is bad. | The weather's dreadful. / It's miserable out. / It's grim outside. |
| It is cloudy. | The sky's grey. / It's gloomy. |
| It is snowing. | The snow's coming down. / It's a snowy day. |
| There is a storm. | A storm's on the way. / A storm's brewing. / Storm clouds are gathering. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| It might rain later. | It could rain later. / There might be a shower later. / The forecast says showers. |
| The forecast is good. | The outlook's good. / It's meant to be a nice day. / The forecast is favorable. |
| It is humid. | It's muggy. / It's really close today. / It's sticky out. |
| I love the outdoors. | I love being outdoors. / I'm an outdoors person. / I'm never happier than when I'm outside. |
| The sky is clear. | It's a clear day. / There isn't a cloud in the sky. |
| I saw a rainbow. | I noticed a rainbow. / A rainbow appeared. |
| The leaves are falling. | The leaves are dropping. / The leaves are coming off the trees. |
| The flowers are blooming. | The flowers are coming out. / Everything's in bloom. / The flowers are starting to bloom. |
| It is a beautiful sunset. | It's a gorgeous sunset. / What a beautiful sunset. / The sunset's stunning. |
| I like being in nature. | I love being out in nature. / Nature's my happy place. / I feel at home in nature. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| The river is flowing fast. | The river's really flowing. / The current's strong. / The river's racing along. |
| There was an earthquake. | There was a tremor. / The ground shook. / An earthquake hit. |
| The air is fresh. | The air's clean. / It's lovely fresh air. |
| It is foggy. | It's really misty. / There's a thick fog. / You can hardly see. |
| The moon is full. | There's a full moon. / The moon's full tonight. |
| I saw wild animals. | I came across some wild animals. / I saw some wildlife. |
| The plants need water. | The plants need a drink. / The plants are thirsty. / The plants could do with some water. |
| It is getting dark. | Darkness is setting in. / It's dusk. / Night's falling. |
| The trees are tall. | The trees are towering. / The trees are really tall. / The trees are huge and tall. |
| I want to go hiking. | I'd like to go hiking. / I feel like going for a hike. |
1 / 3
Food & Dining
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| The food is good. | The food's great. / The food's really good. / The food's excellent. |
| The food is bad. | The food's awful. / The food's disappointing. / The food's not up to much. |
| I want to eat out. | I feel like eating out. / Let's go out for a meal. / I'd like to go to a restaurant. |
| Can I see the menu? | Could I see the menu? / May I see the menu? |
| I would like to order. | Could we order, please? / We're ready to order. |
| The bill, please. | Could we have the check, please? / Could I get the bill? / Could we settle up? |
| This is delicious. | This is really tasty. / This is amazing. |
| This tastes bad. | This doesn't taste right. / This tastes off. / I'm not a fan of this. |
| I am full. | I'm full up. / I've had plenty. |
| I am still hungry. | I'm still peckish. / I could eat more. / I'm not full yet. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I want spicy food. | I'd like something with a kick. / I'm in the mood for something spicy. |
| This is too salty. | It's a bit too salty. / There's too much salt in it. / It's over-salted. |
| Can we book a table? | Can we get a table? / Can I make a booking? |
| The restaurant is crowded. | The restaurant's packed. / It's really busy in here. / The place is heaving. |
| I am on a diet. | I'm cutting back. / I'm being careful about what I eat. / I'm on a strict eating plan. |
| This dish is my favorite. | This is my favorite dish. / This is my go-to. / I can't get enough of this dish. |
| Let's have a coffee. | Let's get a coffee. / How about a coffee? |
| I cooked this myself. | I made this myself. / I cooked this from scratch. |
| It smells great. | It smells wonderful. / That smells delicious. |
| I want to try new food. | I'm keen to try some new food. / I'm keen to try something new. / I like to be adventurous with food. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| This is undercooked. | It's not cooked through. / It's raw in the middle. / It's not done. |
| This is overcooked. | It's been cooked too long. / It's been left on the heat too long. / It's overdone. |
| I need a table for two. | Could I have a table for two? / We'd like a table for two. |
| Do you have vegetarian options? | Have you got anything vegetarian? / Do you have vegetarian dishes? / Any veggie options? |
| I would like a refill. | Could I have a refill? / Can I top this up? |
| The service is slow. | We've been waiting ages. / The service is really slow. |
| The portion is big. | The portion's huge. / It's a generous portion. / The portion's massive. |
| I want dessert. | I fancy some dessert. / I'd like something sweet. / I'll have dessert. |
| This place is expensive. | This place is pricey. / It's a bit dear here. / It's an expensive place. |
| Let's split the bill. | Let's go halves. / Let's split it. / We'll split the bill. |
1 / 3
Family & Relationships
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I have a big family. | My family's huge. / I come from a large family. / There are lots of us. |
| I love my parents. | I adore my parents. / I think the world of my parents. |
| We get along well. | We get on well. / We're on the same wavelength. / We hit it off. |
| We don't get along. | We don't get on. / We clash. |
| I miss my family. | I really miss my family. / I can't stop thinking about my family. |
| My parents raised me well. | My parents brought me up well. / I was brought up really well by my parents. |
| I am getting married. | I'm about to get married. / We're getting hitched. |
| We had an argument. | We had a row. / We fell out. / We had words. |
| We made up. | We're friends again. / We've made up. / We've put it behind us. |
| I trust him completely. | I have complete faith in him. / I trust him implicitly. / I'd put my life in his hands. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I don't trust her. | I'm not sure I can trust her. / I have my doubts about her. / I wouldn't put my trust in her. |
| We are close friends. | We're really close. / We're best mates. |
| I grew up here. | I grew up around here. / I grew up in this very town. |
| My grandparents live far away. | My grandparents live miles away. / My grandparents are a long way off. / My grandparents live a long way from here. |
| I take care of my kids. | I look after my kids full-time. / I look after my children. |
| We had a family reunion. | We had a family get-together. / We had a big family gathering. |
| I look like my mother. | I'm the spitting image of my mother. / People say I look just like my mother. |
| We are expecting a baby. | We've got a baby on the way. / We're going to have a baby. |
| My siblings and I are close. | My brothers and sisters and I are close. / I'm really close to my siblings. |
| I don't see them often. | I don't see them much. / We rarely get together. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| We are like a second family. | They feel like family. / They're like family to me. / They're like a second family. |
| I inherited this from my grandfather. | I got this from my grandfather. / This was passed down from my grandfather. / My grandfather left me this. |
| I broke up with my partner. | My partner and I broke up. / My partner and I split. / We called it a day. |
| We are dating. | We're together. / We're a couple. |
| I depend on my family. | I rely on my family. / My family's got my back. |
| I support my siblings. | I help support my siblings. / I look after my siblings. |
| We are very different. | We're worlds apart. / We're really different. / We're nothing alike. |
| I respect my elders. | I look up to my elders. / I have a lot of respect for my elders. |
| I want to start a family. | I'd like to have kids. / I'd like to settle down and have a family. / I'd like to start a family. |
| We keep in touch. | We stay in touch. / We keep up with each other. / We haven't lost touch. |
1 / 3
Technology & Internet
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| My phone is broken. | My phone's died. / My phone's packed up. / My phone's not working. |
| I need to charge my phone. | My phone's low on battery. / My phone needs a charge. |
| The internet is slow. | The internet's really slow. / The connection's sluggish. |
| I lost my connection. | I've lost my connection. / I've been cut off. / The connection's gone. |
| I need to update my phone. | I need to get my phone up to date. / I have to run the latest update. / My phone's overdue an update. |
| I sent you an email. | I emailed you. / I fired you an email. / You should have an email from me. |
| Check your messages. | Look at your messages. / Have a look at your inbox. / See if I've left you anything. |
| I am on social media. | I'm on social. / I spend time on social media. |
| I took a photo. | I took a picture. / I took a shot. |
| I need to reset my password. | I've got to set a new password. / I have to reset my account password. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| My computer crashed. | My computer's frozen. / My computer's crashed. / My laptop's died on me. |
| I am downloading a file. | I'm downloading something. / A file's downloading. / I'm grabbing a file. |
| The app is not working. | The app's not working. / The app's not responding. |
| I need a new charger. | My charger's died. / My charger has given up. / My charger's packed in. |
| I am watching a video. | I'm in the middle of a video. / I'm watching something on YouTube. |
| I searched it online. | I did a quick search. / I searched for it. / I ran a search. |
| My screen is cracked. | My screen's cracked. / The screen's shattered. |
| I need to back up my files. | I need to make a copy of my files. / I need to keep a backup of my data. / I should make a copy of my files. |
| I am streaming a show. | I'm watching a series online. / I'm binging a show. |
| I need to install this software. | I need to set this program up. / I need to get this software installed. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I forgot my login details. | I can't remember my login. / I've forgotten my login details. / I've lost my login details. |
| I am on a video call. | I'm in a video chat. / I'm in a video meeting. |
| The Wi-Fi is down. | The Wi-Fi's down. / The Wi-Fi's not working. / There's no Wi-Fi. |
| I posted online. | I put it online. / I posted it. / I uploaded it. |
| I got a notification. | I've had a notification. / A notification popped up. |
| I bought this online. | I got this online. / I found this online. |
| My battery is dying. | My battery's about to die. / My battery's nearly flat. / I'm almost out of battery. |
| I need better signal. | I need a stronger signal. / I've got no signal. / The signal's terrible. |
| I updated my profile. | I've updated my profile. / I've updated the details on my profile. / I've made some changes to my profile. |
| This website is not loading. | The website won't load. / The site's not loading. / The page won't open. |
1 / 3
Home & Housing
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I live in a small house. | I live in a small place. / I've got a small house. / I live in quite a small home. |
| I need to clean my room. | I've got to tidy my room. / I need to sort out my room. / My room needs a clean. |
| The room is messy. | The room's a mess. / The room's in a state. / The room's untidy. |
| I fixed the sink. | I repaired the sink. / I sorted out the sink. |
| The lights are off. | It's lights out in here. / There's no light on. |
| I need to buy furniture. | I need to get some furniture. / I've got to furnish the place. / I need to kit out the place. |
| The house is quiet. | It's peaceful here. / The house is silent. / It's quiet as a mouse. |
| I need to move house. | I need to find a new place. / It's time I found somewhere new to live. |
| The heating is broken. | The heating's packed up. / The heating's not working. / The heating's gone. |
| I redecorated my room. | I've given my room a makeover. / I gave my room a facelift. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I need to do repairs. | I need to get some repairs done. / The place needs some work. |
| The neighbors are noisy. | The neighbours keep making noise. / The neighbors keep making a racket. / The neighbors are loud. |
| I am renting an apartment. | I rent a flat. / I'm renting a place. / I'm a tenant. |
| I own my house. | I'm the owner of my house. / I'm on the property ladder. / I own the place. |
| The garden needs work. | The garden needs sorting out. / The garden's overgrown. / The garden could do with some love. |
| I locked the door. | I locked it with the key. / I locked up behind me. / I locked it before leaving. |
| I am painting the walls. | I'm decorating. / I'm giving the walls a lick of paint. / I'm redoing the walls. |
| It is cozy here. | It's cozy in here. / It's snug in here. / It's nice and warm in here. |
| The kitchen is spacious. | The kitchen's roomy. / The kitchen's a good size. / There's plenty of space in the kitchen. |
| I need a bigger place. | I need more room. / I need something bigger. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| The rent is expensive. | The rent's steep. / The rent's a lot. / The rent's through the roof. |
| I set up the furniture. | I put the furniture together. / I arranged the furniture. |
| The pipes are leaking. | There's a leak. / Water's seeping out. |
| I turned off the tap. | I turned the tap off. / I shut off the tap. / I made sure the tap was off. |
| The house needs cleaning. | The house needs a good clean. / The place needs a proper clean. / The house needs a scrub. |
| I moved into a new apartment. | I've moved into a new flat. / I've moved into a new place. / I've settled into a new apartment. |
| I share the house with roommates. | I share a place with a few people. / I live with a few housemates. |
| I need to declutter. | I need to have a clear-out. / I need to get rid of some stuff. / I need to clear the clutter. |
| The air conditioning is on. | The AC's on. / The air con's running. / The air conditioning's on. |
| I feel at home here. | I feel at home. / I feel comfortable here. / It feels like home. |
1 / 3
Studies & Education
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I am studying for a test. | I'm getting ready for a test. / I'm swotting for a test. / I'm studying hard for a test. |
| I passed the exam. | I passed with no trouble. / I managed to pass the exam. |
| I failed the exam. | I didn't pass the exam. / I came up short in the exam. |
| I don't understand this subject. | This subject is beyond me. / I can't get my head around this subject. / I'm struggling with this subject. |
| I need to do homework. | I've got homework to do. / I need to get my homework done. / I need to crack on with my homework. |
| I am learning a new language. | I'm learning a new language from scratch. / I'm taking up a new language. / I'm starting to learn a new language. |
| My teacher is strict. | My teacher's tough. / My teacher doesn't cut us any slack. / My teacher's very demanding. |
| I got a good grade. | I did well on it. / I got a decent grade. / I got a solid grade. |
| I got a bad grade. | I did badly. / I got a poor grade. |
| I have a lot of homework. | I've got heaps of homework. / I've got loads to do. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I need to focus. | I need to concentrate. / I need to get my head down. / I've got to buckle down. |
| I am distracted. | I can't concentrate. / I keep getting sidetracked. |
| I want to go to university. | I'm set on going to university. / I'd like to go to university. / I'm planning to go to university. |
| I dropped out of school. | I left school before finishing. / I quit before graduating. / I walked away from school. |
| I graduated last year. | I finished uni last year. / I graduated a year ago. |
| I am taking notes. | I'm jotting down notes. / I'm jotting some notes down. / I'm making notes. |
| I need to review my notes. | I need to look back over my notes. / I should read through my notes. |
| The lesson was interesting. | The lesson was fascinating. / The lesson was really interesting. |
| The lesson was boring. | The lesson was dull. / The lesson was really tedious. |
| I asked a question in class. | I raised a question in class. / I asked something in class. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I am doing research. | I'm looking into it. / I'm carrying out some research. |
| I need extra help. | I need some extra support. / I could do with some extra help. / I need a bit more support. |
| I improved a lot. | I've made big improvements. / I've come on a lot. |
| I need to catch up. | I've got to catch up. / I've got to make up for lost ground. |
| I have an assignment due. | I've got something due. / I've got a deadline for an assignment. / I've got an assignment to hand in. |
| I am preparing a presentation. | I'm working on a presentation. / I'm preparing my slides. |
| I made a lot of progress. | I've made great progress. / I've come on a lot. / I've made real headway. |
| I got into a good school. | I got a place at a great school. / I got accepted at a good school. |
| I want to study abroad. | I'd love to study overseas. / I'd like to study in another country. / I'm keen to study abroad. |
| I need to memorize this. | I need to learn this by heart. / I need to get this into my head. |
1 / 3
Sports & Leisure
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I like playing sports. | I'm into sports. / I play a lot of sports. / Sports are my passion. |
| I am watching a game. | I'm watching the game. / I'm following the game. |
| My team won. | Our team came out on top. / My team took the win. |
| My team lost. | Our team went down. / My team took a loss. |
| I go to the gym. | I work out at the gym. / I train at the gym. |
| I need to get in shape. | I need to get fit. / I need to get back in shape. |
| I am good at football. | I'm pretty good at football. / I'm a decent footballer. / I can play football well. |
| I am bad at swimming. | I'm a poor swimmer. / I'm not a strong swimmer. |
| Let's play a game. | Let's have a game. / Shall we play something? / Let's play something. |
| I hurt myself playing sports. | I picked up an injury playing sport. / I got injured playing sport. / I hurt myself in a game. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I enjoy hiking. | I love hiking. / I'm into hiking. / I'm big on hiking. |
| I like to relax on weekends. | I like a lazy weekend. / I like to chill on weekends. |
| I am a big fan. | I'm a huge fan. / I'm a big supporter. / I follow them religiously. |
| The match was exciting. | The match was thrilling. / The match was a nail-biter. / It was a great match. |
| The match was boring. | The match was dull. / The match was a bit of a snooze. / The match was a snoozefest. |
| I want to try a new sport. | I'd like to try a new sport. / I fancy trying a new sport. / I'd like to give a new sport a go. |
| I train every day. | I train daily. / I train every single day. / I'm at it every day. |
| I am tired after training. | I'm worn out after training. / Training leaves me shattered. |
| I like outdoor activities. | I enjoy being active outdoors. / I like getting out and about. / I like the outdoors. |
| I am watching a movie. | I'm watching a film. / I'm settling in for a film. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I like board games. | I'm a fan of board games. / I enjoy board games. / I'm into board games. |
| I want to travel more. | I'd like to see more of the world. / I'd like to travel more. / I'd like to get out and see more. |
| We are going camping. | We're off camping. / We're heading out camping. / We're going on a camping trip. |
| I love music festivals. | I'm crazy about music festivals. / I'm mad about music festivals. / I adore music festivals. |
| I like painting as a hobby. | Painting's my hobby. / I paint for fun. / I paint in my spare time. |
| I am learning to dance. | I'm taking dance lessons. / I'm learning how to dance. / I've started dancing. |
| I like to read for fun. | I read for pleasure. / I read for fun. / I read in my spare time. |
| We had a great time. | We had a wonderful time. / We had a lovely time. / It was a wonderful time. |
| I want to join a sports club. | I'd like to sign up for a sports club. / I'm thinking of joining a sports club. |
| I am practicing a new skill. | I'm getting better at a new skill. / I'm developing a new skill. / I'm picking up a new skill. |
1 / 3
Debates & Disagreements
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I don't agree with you. | I don't see it that way. / I take a different view. |
| Let's not argue. | Let's not have a row. / Let's not quarrel. / Let's keep the peace. |
| You are wrong. | You've got that wrong. / You're mistaken. |
| I have a different opinion. | I see it differently. / I take a different view. / I have another take on this. |
| Let's compromise. | Let's meet halfway. / Let's find a middle ground. / Let's find a compromise. |
| I don't want to fight. | I don't want a fight. / I don't want to argue. / I'd rather not row. |
| We disagree on this. | We don't see eye to eye on this. / We have different views on this. |
| That's not fair. | That's not right. / That's just not fair. |
| I understand your point. | I see your point. / I take your point. / I get what you're saying. |
| I still disagree. | I still don't agree. / I haven't changed my mind. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Let's agree to disagree. | Let's leave it at that. / Let's just accept we see it differently. |
| You have a point. | You've got a point. / You make a good point. / That's a fair point. |
| I take back what I said. | I take that back. / Let me retract that. |
| Let's settle this. | Let's sort this out. / Let's put this to rest. / Let's clear this up. |
| We had a disagreement. | We had a falling-out. / We had a row. / We had words. |
| I stand by what I said. | I stick by what I said. / I stand by my words. |
| Calm down. | Simmer down. / Keep your cool. |
| You are overreacting. | You're making too much of this. / You're blowing it out of proportion. |
| Let's talk it out. | Let's hash it out. / Let's talk it through. / Let's sit down and sort it out. |
| I don't want to talk about it anymore. | I'm done talking about this. / I don't want to go over it again. / I don't want to discuss it any more. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| We need to find common ground. | We need to meet in the middle. / We need to find some common ground. / We need to find something we agree on. |
| That's a fair point. | Fair point. / That's fair. / Good point, actually. |
| I misunderstood you. | I misread that. / I took you the wrong way. |
| Let's not blame each other. | Let's not play the blame game. / Let's not go looking for someone to blame. |
| I want to clear the air. | Let's get this out in the open. / I'd like to sort this out. |
| That's a valid concern. | That's a fair concern. / I see why you're worried. |
| I regret what I said. | I feel bad about what I said. / I wish I could take it back. / I shouldn't have said it. |
| Let's move on from this. | Let's draw a line under this. / Let's move on. |
| I respect your opinion. | I respect your view. / I respect your take. |
| This isn't worth arguing about. | It's not worth the fight. / This isn't worth the row. |
1 / 3
Emergencies & Health
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Call an ambulance. | Somebody call an ambulance! / We need an ambulance now! |
| I need a doctor. | I need medical help. / I have to see a doctor. |
| It is an emergency. | This is an emergency. / It's an emergency, we need help! |
| I feel dizzy. | I'm feeling dizzy. / I feel lightheaded. |
| I can't breathe well. | I can't get my breath. / I can't catch my breath. |
| I am bleeding. | I've cut myself and it's bleeding. / I'm bleeding a lot. / I've cut myself badly. |
| I broke my arm. | I've broken my arm. / I think my arm's broken. |
| I need medicine. | I need some medication. / I need to take something. / I need some painkillers. |
| I have a fever. | I've got a temperature. / I'm running a fever. / I've got a high temperature. |
| I feel faint. | I feel like I might faint. / I feel like I'm going to pass out. / I'm about to black out. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Where is the hospital? | Where's the nearest hospital? / How do I get to the hospital? / Which way is the hospital? |
| I need first aid. | I need some first aid. / Can someone give me first aid? / I need some medical attention. |
| Someone fainted. | Someone's blacked out. / Someone's gone down. |
| I am allergic to this. | I have an allergy to this. / This sets off my allergy. |
| Get help immediately. | Get help right now! / We need help right now! / Somebody get help! |
| I took my medicine. | I've taken my medication. / I've taken my pills. |
| I need stitches. | It needs stitches. / I'm going to need stitches. / I've got to get this stitched up. |
| I sprained my ankle. | I've sprained my ankle. / I rolled my ankle. |
| I am having a panic attack. | My heart's racing and I can't breathe. / I can't catch my breath and I'm panicking. |
| The wound is infected. | The wound's infected. / The wound's gone bad. / It's got infected. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I need to see a specialist. | I need a specialist to look at this. / I need to be seen by a specialist. |
| My blood pressure is high. | My blood pressure's on the high side. / I've got high blood pressure. |
| I fainted for a moment. | I blacked out for a second. / I passed out briefly. / I had a fainting spell. |
| I need to go to the ER. | I need to get to A&E. / I need to go to the emergency room. / I've got to get to the ER. |
| He is unconscious. | He's passed out. / He's out for the count. / He's completely unresponsive. |
| I need to disinfect this cut. | I need to clean and disinfect this cut. / This cut needs to be disinfected. |
| I twisted my back. | I've pulled my back. / I've hurt my back. |
| Call for help. | Get help! / Somebody help! / Help me! |
| I am recovering well. | I'm getting better. / I'm recovering nicely. / I'm on the road to recovery. |
| I need to take it easy. | I need to slow down. / I need to ease off. / I need to give myself a rest. |
1 / 3
Meetings & Office Work
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Let's start the meeting. | Let's get started. / Shall we begin? |
| I have a deadline. | I've got a deadline. / I've got something due. |
| I finished the report. | I've finished the report. / I've got the report done. |
| I need to send an email. | I've got to shoot off an email. / I have to email someone. |
| Let's schedule a call. | Let's book a call. / Let's line up a call. |
| I am in a meeting. | I'm in a meeting right now. / I'm sitting in a meeting. |
| Can we reschedule the meeting? | Could we move the meeting? / Could we push the meeting back? / Can we bump the meeting? |
| I need to talk to my boss. | I need to speak to my boss. / I need a quick chat with my boss. |
| I got a promotion. | I got promoted. / I moved up a level. |
| I have too much work. | I've got too much on. / I've got a heavy workload. / I'm overloaded with work. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| Let's brainstorm ideas. | Let's bounce some ideas around. / Let's toss around some ideas. / Let's throw some ideas about. |
| I disagree with the plan. | I don't agree with the plan. / I'm not comfortable with the plan. / I have doubts about the plan. |
| Let's take a break. | Let's have a quick break. / Let's pause for a bit. |
| The presentation went well. | The presentation went down well. / The presentation went smoothly. / The presentation was a success. |
| I need to prepare for the meeting. | I need to prep for the meeting. / I need to go over the materials for the meeting. |
| Let's follow up on this. | Let's follow this up. / Let's circle back. / Let's pick this up again. |
| I am working overtime. | I'm doing overtime. / I'm working late. |
| I need approval for this. | I need sign-off on this. / I need this signed off. |
| Let's finalize the details. | Let's pin down the details. / Let's finalize the specifics. / Let's nail down the remaining details. |
| I am on a business trip. | I'm travelling for work. / I'm away for work. |
| A2 (Basic) | C1 (More Sophisticated) |
|---|---|
| I need to delegate this task. | I need to pass this on. / I need to hand this task over to someone. |
| The project is behind schedule. | The project's running late. / The project's slipped. / The project's fallen behind. |
| I need feedback on this. | I'd love some feedback on this. / I'm after your thoughts on this. / I need your take on this. |
| Let's set clear goals. | Let's define clear targets. / Let's set some goals. / Let's agree on our goals. |
| I need to catch up on emails. | I need to get through my emails. / I need to catch up on my emails. |
| We hit our target. | We got the result we wanted. / We achieved the target we set. / We made it. |
| We missed the target. | We came up short. / We didn't hit our goal. |
| Let's wrap up the meeting. | Let's wrap things up. / Let's conclude here. |
| I need to submit this report. | I need to turn in this report. / I've got to hand in this report. / I have to submit this report. |
| I appreciate your effort. | I really appreciate the effort. / Thanks for all your hard work. / I appreciate everything you've put in. |
1 / 3