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 progressive aspect (106)

Tuesday
Mar272012

“My knee is acting up again.”

My knee is acting up again.

Your knee often hurts because of a sports injury you got many years ago. Today it's hurting. Someone asks if something is wrong, so you explain what's happening.

My knee is acting up again.

Click to read more ...

Thursday
Mar152012

“Monica's been growing increasingly disruptive in class over the past few weeks.”

Monica

You're a teacher. You're talking to the parents of one of your students, who talks loudly to her friends during your lectures. You say:

Monica's been growing increasingly disruptive in class over the past few weeks.

Click to read more ...

Thursday
Feb232012

“I'm having chest pains.”

I

You're having dinner with your family. Suddenly your chest starts to hurt. You're worried about it. Someone asks you what's wrong, so you say:

I'm having chest pains.

Click to read more ...

Sunday
Dec252011

“Have you been naughty or nice this year?”

Have you been naughty or nice?

You're at a Christmas party. You're dressed up as Santa Claus. You see your girlfriend, so you walk up and ask her:

Have you been naughty or nice this year?

Click to read more ...

Sunday
Dec042011

“They are testing the limits of my patience!”

You're trying to have a quiet conversation with your friend, but your children are running around and yelling. They're starting to make you angry. You say:

They are testing the limits of my patience!

Click to read more ...

Wednesday
Sep212011

“No, come on! I'm not laughing at you; I'm laughing with you.”

English Lesson: Laughing with you, not at you

Your friend did something funny, so you started laughing. She's mad because she thinks that you're making fun of her. You didn't mean to make fun of her, so you say:

No, come on! I'm not laughing at you; I'm laughing with you.

Click to read more ...

Saturday
Sep172011

“We're collecting canned goods and other non-perishable items to donate to a local homeless shelter.”

English Lesson: We're collecting canned goods and other non-perishable items

You're volunteering for a charity organization by standing outside of a supermarket and asking for donations. A customer slows down as she walks by you, so she seems interested. You explain to her:

We're collecting canned goods and other non-perishable items to donate to a local homeless shelter.

Click to read more ...

Monday
Sep052011

“Every so often I'll have a dream where I'm being chased by some kind of monster.”

English Lesson: Being chased by some kind of monster.

You're talking with a group of friends about your dreams. There is a reoccurring dream that happens to you sometimes. You describe it:

Every so often I'll have a dream where I'm being chased by some kind of monster.

Click to read more ...

Wednesday
Aug312011

“Her health had been deteriorating for many years.”

Your grandmother passed away after being sick for several years. You’re back at work now after going to her funeral, and talking to a coworker who’s come to give her condolences. You explain that your grandmother's death was not surprising:

Her health had been deteriorating for many years.

Click to read more ...

Wednesday
Jun292011

“My infant is running a fever of a hundred and two.”

English Lesson: My newborn is running a fever of a hundred and two.

Your baby is sick. You took his temperature, and it's higher than it should be; he has a fever. You call a doctor, and explain the problem:

My infant is running a fever of a hundred and two.

Click to read more ...