Daily English Phrases
Learn advanced English that you can use in the real world, not just on a test. Each phrase is natural, useful, and easy to rememberSubscribe to the RSS feed.

Entries in addressing people (10)

Wednesday
Feb292012

“I don't know, sweetie. Check the expiration date.”

I don

Your son asks if some yogurt that's in your refrigerator is too old to eat. You're not sure. You say:

I don't know, sweetie. Check the expiration date.

Click to read more ...

Tuesday
Nov222011

“Pick up the pace, ladies!”

English Lesson: Pick up the pace

You coach a kids' soccer team. The players are practicing, but they're not running as fast as they can. You want them to run faster, so you say:

Pick up the pace, ladies!

Click to read more ...

Sunday
Nov062011

“All right man, take it easy!”

English Lesson: All right man, take it easy!

You ran into a friend from college on the street and made small talk for a few minutes. Now you're leaving. You say:

All right man, take it easy!

Click to read more ...

Tuesday
Jun142011

“Sweetheart, it's 2011. Get with it!”

Get with it!

Your coworker says that she's never used Facebook, Twitter, or any other social networking services. You can't believe it. You think that she needs to try out these services. You say:

Sweetheart, it's 2011. Get with it!

Click to read more ...

Wednesday
Jan262011

“Valerie's really on a rampage today, huh?”

On a rampage

The Vice President of your division at work seems to be really angry about something. She's barking out orders, slamming doors, and yelling at employees. You're talking quietly with another employee who's seen this behavior. You say:

Valerie's really on a rampage today, huh?

Click to read more ...

Thursday
Nov182010

“Dude, you're making the rest of us look bad!”

You work in sales. One of your coworkers has made a lot of big sales this week, and he just made another one. You want to joke with him about how successful he's become. You say:

Dude, you're making the rest of us look bad!

Click to read more ...

Monday
Oct042010

“Guys, let's call it a day.”

You're working on a project with a few other people at work. You've all been working hard all afternoon, and now it's getting late. You think you should stop working on it for today, so you suggest:

Guys, let's call it a day.

Click to read more ...

Saturday
Jun192010

“Meanwhile, can you guys decide on the theme?”

You're working on a school project with a group of other students. You are going out to pick up some supplies. You want the other group members to work on something while you are gone. After you offer to go to buy the supplies, you say:

Meanwhile, can you guys decide on the theme?

Click to read more ...

Thursday
Jun032010

“Guys, I have to talk to you.”

You wrecked your parents' car. Now you have to tell them about it. You are talking to both your mother and father at the same time. You start by saying:

Guys, I have to talk to you.

Click to read more ...

Sunday
May022010

“Baby, would you mind giving me a hand with this?”

You're cleaning the kitchen. Your wife isn't helping you. You want to ask her to help, but you'd like to ask politely so that you don't start a fight. You say:

Baby, would you mind giving me a hand with this?

Baby

Words like "baby", "sweetheart", "darling", and "dear" are sometimes used between couples in place of each other's names. These words are called "terms of affection". It can sound more sweet and loving to use these words than to call someone by name.

would you mind (doing something)

"Would you mind ___ing?" is a good way to politely ask for something that isn't too much trouble for the other person. Some more examples:

Would you mind passing me that bottle over there?

Would you mind watching my bag for a few minutes?

Would you mind sending me a list of everyone who's coming?

give (someone) a hand with (something)

"Give (someone) a hand" means to help someone. The word "help" has a wide meaning. It can be used to describe helping someone with a small problem, or with a serious emergency. So when you're asking for help, it's important to express how serious the problem is. For big emergencies, you just yell:

Help!

For smaller but still serious problems, you can ask:

Can you help me?

And for small problems that aren't an emergency, you ask:

Can you give me a hand?