Basic Common Conversational English Phrases – How to Have a Conversation?
Navigating English conversations can feel like a big challenge when you’re just starting out. Don’t worry! This article will guide you through some common conversational phrases you’ll hear and use every day. We’ll explain what they mean, how to use them, and give you lots of examples. Think of this as your friendly roadmap to confident English conversations! Talk with your English speaking friends using these common conversational English phrases.
Getting Started: Common Greetings
The first step in any conversation is a greeting. Here are some basic ways to say hello:
| Phrase | When to Use It | Example |
| Hello | Any time, formal or informal | “Hello, nice to meet you.” |
| Hi | More informal situations | “Hi! How are you?” |
| Good morning | In the morning (usually until noon) | “Good morning! Did you sleep well?” |
| Good afternoon | After noon and before evening | “Good afternoon. How was your lunch?” |
| Good evening | In the evening or at night | “Good evening. Welcome to the restaurant.” |
Starting a Conversation: Asking “How are you?”
After greeting someone, it’s common to ask about their well-being.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
| How are you? | A general way to ask about someone’s state | “Hello, John. How are you today?” |
| How’s it going? | A more informal way to ask | “Hi Sarah, how’s it going?” |
| How are you doing? | Similar to “How are you?” | “Good morning, Professor. How are you doing?” |
| What’s up? | Very informal, used with friends | “Hey! What’s up?” |
| What’s new? | Asking if anything interesting has happened | “Hi! Long time no see. What’s new?” |
Common Responses to “How are you?”
Here are some typical ways to respond when someone asks about you:
| Response | Meaning | Example |
| I’m fine, thank you. | A polite and common response | “How are you?” – “I’m fine, thank you. And you?” |
| I’m good. | A shorter, informal response | “How’s it going?” – “I’m good.” |
| Not bad. | Means you’re okay, nothing special | “What’s up?” – “Not bad. Just working.” |
| Pretty good. | Means you’re feeling well | “How are you doing?” – “Pretty good, thanks.” |
| I’m doing well. | A slightly more formal positive response | “Hello, Mrs. Smith. How are you?” – “I’m doing well.” |
| (And) you? | A way to ask the same question back | “I’m fine, thank you. And you?” |
| How about you? | Another way to return the question | “I’m good. How about you?” |
Keeping the Conversation Going
Once you’ve greeted someone and asked how they are, you can use these phrases to continue the conversation:
| Phrase | Purpose | Example |
| Nice to meet you. | Saying this when you meet someone for the first time | “Hello, I’m David.” – “Hi David, I’m Emily. Nice to meet you.” |
| Pleased to meet you. | A slightly more formal way to say “Nice to meet you” | “Good evening. My name is John.” – “Pleased to meet you, John.” |
| How was your day? | Asking about someone’s day | “Hi! How was your day?” |
| What did you do today? | Asking about someone’s activities | “So, what did you do today?” |
| That’s interesting. | Showing you’re interested in what someone said | “I went to the market this morning.” – “Oh, that’s interesting.” |
| Really? | Expressing surprise or interest | “I saw a famous actor yesterday.” – “Really?” |
| Oh, I see. | Showing you understand | “The bus was late because of traffic.” – “Oh, I see.” |
| Uh-huh / Hmm / Okay | Short ways to show you’re listening | (Nodding while someone is talking) Uh-huh. |
| What about you? | Turning the question back to the other person | “I like playing football. What about you?” |
| Do you know…? | Asking if someone has information | “Do you know what time the movie starts?” |
| Could you tell me…? | Asking for information politely | “Could you tell me how to get to the museum?” |
Ending a Conversation
When it’s time to finish talking, here are some common phrases:
| Phrase | Purpose | Example |
| It was nice talking to you. | A polite way to end a conversation | “Well, it was nice talking to you. I should get going.” |
| Nice talking to you too. | A common response | “It was nice talking to you.” – “Nice talking to you too.” |
| I have to go now. | Explaining you need to leave | “I have to go now. See you later.” |
| See you later. | A common and informal way to say goodbye | “Okay, see you later!” |
| Goodbye. | A more formal way to say goodbye | “Goodbye. Have a good day.” |
| Have a good day. | Wishing someone well | “Goodbye. Have a good day!” |
| Take care. | A friendly way to say goodbye | “Bye, take care!” |
Additional Tips:
- Listen Carefully: Pay attention to how native speakers use these phrases in different situations.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be afraid to use these phrases in your own conversations. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become.
- Don’t Worry About Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes when learning a new language. It’s part of the process!
- Use Body Language: Non-verbal cues like smiling and nodding can also help you communicate effectively.
- Be Polite: Using phrases like “please” and “thank you” is always a good idea.
Practice Makes Perfect
Here is a PDF worksheet you can download with 25 practice questions about English conversations. The answers are on a separate page.
Additional Helpful Content
- Learn about using WH- words for asking questions – Learn English WH- Words: A Beginner’s Guide
External Links for Further Learning:
- BBC Learning English – Conversation Starters: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/everyday-english/unit-1/session-1
- British Council – LearnEnglish – Starting Conversations: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/speaking/elementary-a1-a2/starting-conversations
Learning conversational English takes time and effort, but by understanding and practicing these common phrases, you’ll be well on your way to having more confident and enjoyable conversations. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to speak! You’ve got this!