Phrase Lists

Describe your health problems and symptoms in English

Being able to explain how you feel in English is extremely important if you live or travel in an English-speaking country. You need to be able to tell a doctor exactly how you feel. For example, is your pain sharp, dull, excruciating? Is it a burning pain, or do you feel sore? All of these different kinds of pain may be signs of very different health problems.

Take a look at the list of...

English expressions for talking about the beach

It's summertime, and for a lot of people that means it's time to take a vacation at the beach. (Notice that we often call it "the beach" unless you're talking about a specific one.) Here are some phrases that you can use to talk about all the things that go on at the beach.

• build a sandcastle
• gather seashells
• take a long, romantic walk on the beach
• wear a bathing suit
• wear swim trunks
• watch...

English phrases for talking about sports

I have to admit that I'm not much of a sports fan myself. But here are a few phrases that are so common that even I know them:

• They have the home team advantage.
• They're tied for third.
• They had a 20-game winning streak.
• This is their fifth straight losing season.
• The season kicks off in 3 weeks.
• He's a naturally gifted athlete.
• She always gives a hundred and ten percent.
• He was traded to the...

Your morning routine

Here are some phrases that describe what you do every morning:

• I'm up bright and early.
• I'm up at the crack of dawn.
• I wake up to an alarm.
• I'll usually hit "snooze" a few times.
• I roll out of bed at about 8:00.
• I tend to sleep in.
• I've got to have my coffee first thing in the morning.
• Then I jump in the shower.
• I'll grab something to eat on the way to work.
• My wife gets the kids dressed.
• I...

How to talk to young children in English

Do you know these English phrases for talking with young children? Words that English speakers use with kids have a lot of repetition ("no-no", "pee-pee", etc.) and often end in the "i" sound ("doggie", "yucky", etc.)

Here are some common examples of things people say to young children.

• Good boy! / Good girl!
• There you go!
• Wow, good for you!
• Look at the doggie! / Look at the horsie!
• Whee!
• ...