33 Important English Phrases for Daily Conversations

Hi there. This is Harry. And welcome back  to Advanced English Lessons with Harry where  

we tried to help you to get a better  understanding of the English language.

Okay, let's get back to this advanced lesson  and this advanced les. Our essential phrases  

that you can use or you need for daily  conversation. So we're going to split  

them into different sections. So I'll give  you the heading of each section. I'll give  

you the examples and try to help you to show  you how to work them into your conversation

Okay, let's get started. The first section  

is about changing plans. Okay? We  all have plans. We have a schedule

or a we set out a to do list of plans, things  that we want to achieve, that we want to get done.

Okay. So this is the whole  backdrop of the setting.

But unfortunately some things change.  We have to change them because something  

urgent comes up. Somebody else has  to change up plans because they run  

into some difficulty or one of the kids  gets sick. Whatever it happens to be,  

there are situations arising all of the  time when plans need or have to be changed.

Let's give you some expressions  as to how you can do that.

The first one, I'm afraid I can't make it.  So you make a call to your friend. You've got  

lunch organised. He's an old school friend or  university colleague, and you're going to meet  

him on Tuesday or Wednesday for lunch. But  your boss just told you that there's a big  

presentation taking place that day, and you're  going to have to cancel your arrangements.

So you send an email or text  message to your friends who,  

look, I'm afraid I can't make it on Wednesday.  Can we put it back by a week? Can we meet the  

following week or the next week? Okay, so I'm  afraid I can't make it. So it's quite informal,  

particularly used when we're talking  to people that we know very, very well.

Or you can also say, look, something  has come up. You don't have to be

explicit to explain what has come up, because

You don't really need to know. They  just need to know that the lunch,  

the meeting, the game of tennis or squash,

you have to postpone because something has  come up. Something has come up urgently. As  

in the presentation, something has come  up. You have to take one of the kids to  

the dentist. Something has come up. You  have to be out of town because there's

client.

You have to go and visit.  So whatever the reason is,

something has come up, will cover all  of those particular situations and will  

allow you to postpone or to change the  plans that you had originally fixed.

Your friend rings you or text you and said, yeah,  can we meet this afternoon about 4:00? Oh, I'm  

tied up all afternoon. So this is a really well  used expression when somebody asks you for,

a meeting and say, look, I'm  sorry, I'm tied up all afternoon,  

how about tomorrow? Or how about the same  time on Thursday or the same time next week?

I'm tied up all afternoon. Means I've got meetings  

back to back. I'll be here at lunchtime  and then from 2:00 till 5 or 6:00. I'm  

tied up all afternoon. I've meetings  one after the other, back to back.

You might ask somebody to change the  time of a meeting to allow you to get  

to another meeting. So you might ask them,  can we bring the meeting forward? So can we  

bring it forward means instead of 2:00,  can we have it at 12:00 instead of 1:00?  

Can we have it at 11:00? So to bring  it forward means to have it earlier.

Now, if you want the opposite, you say, can  we push it out a little bit or can we push the  

meeting back. So if you want to delay the meeting.  So instead of 2:00 you want it at 3 or 4:00 or  

5:00. And you say can we push the meeting back or  can we push it out to... So to bring it forward  

means earlier push back or push out means to, to  postpone or to have the meeting a little later.

Both of them you can use in  relation to changing the plans.

Or you might just simply say,  

look, I have to call off the meeting  today. So you tell all of your team

look, I'm really sorry, guys. Something's come up.

I've got to be out of town, so I have  to call off tomorrow's meeting. We'll  

reschedule it for Wednesday or Thursday,  but come back and let me know if you're  

available. So I have to call off. I have to  postpone or cancel that particular meeting.

Or just simply ask the question. Can  we do it on Tuesday instead? So this  

would be a question that you would  just send as a quick text to your  

friend. Sorry about this. I can't make it  tomorrow. Can we do it on Tuesday instead,  

or. I'm sorry, I can't make it tomorrow. Can we  do it on Thursday instead, or next week instead?

So you're postponing, delaying putting off the  meeting for a day, a few days, or indeed a week?

Okay, so just different ways in which  you can ask or request or advise that  

you need to change the plans,  need to change the arrangements.

And as always, if you like this particular  lesson, then please like the video. And if  

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Okay, so if we look at the other way,  

then when someone tells you about change  in the plan, so you're the recipient,  

you're the person receiving the news. So  someone tells you about changing the plans.

So when somebody tells you about changing the  plans, you might just react like this. Oh,  

that's a pity. I was looking forward to meeting  you. So the planned lunch for tomorrow with  

your friend. The planned game was squash is  canceled. So you just send back a text. Oh,  

that's a pity. I was looking forward to meeting  you, but perhaps we can do it again soon.

Or just simply. Oh, don't worry about it.

I do it myself all the time. Just let me know when  you're free next. And we can rearrange so don't  

worry about it. So you're just telling them not  to be stressed. Don't worry about it. Or simply,  

no worries. These things happen. Which  they do. Yeah, things happen all the time.

No worries.

Or simply no problem. Yeah. So I often get  students telling me that I'm sorry I can't  

make the lesson tomorrow. Something's come  up. I have to work late or the kids are sick,  

or I'm out of town and I just send back  a simple message. Not no problem. Tell  

me when you're free. Tell me.  Tell me when you're available.

And we can organise

The next lesson, the next meeting, so no problem.

Or just simply. Yeah, things happen. Things  happen all the time that things get in the  

way. Kids partner as work, family, whatever  the problem is, things happen and they change  

or spoil or make sure that we have to rearrange  or reorganise our plans. So simple ways in which  

you can reply or respond when somebody tells  you that the arrangements have been changed.

So,

Oh, that's a pity. Don't worry about it.  No worries. No problem. Things happen.

Now let's look at situations and expressions and.

essential expressions that you'll need if you're  asking for opinions or asking for an opinion.

So you can just simply say, how do you feel about.

How do you feel about going  away for the weekend? This  

weekend? We haven't had a holiday for a long time.

How do you feel about redecorating the  bedroom? It's a long time since we put.

a lick of paint or a coat of paint on  those walls so we could do it next weekend.

So how do you feel about something?

What do you think of...? What you think of going  away for Christmas instead of staying at home?

every year it's the same.

What do you think of going away for a couple  of days? We can just go for two nights and see  

what it's like. And if we like it, well, we can  do the same next year. So what do you think of

or something really informal? What do  you reckon now? So when we ask somebody  

what do you reckon we mean we ask what do  you think of. Yeah. What's your opinion.

What do you reckon?

Should I

take the job. What do you reckon. Would  you change your car at this time? So,  

yeah. Asking friends for their opinion. And you're  asking it in a very informal way. So what do you  

reckon? Yeah, yeah. So reckon means. What do you  think or what do you feel or what's your opinion.

Okay. So just simple ways to ask somebody opinion.

How do you feel about something. What do you think  of this idea. And what do you reckon about this.

Now. Next is.

To give an explanation, or when you're  giving an explanation about anything simple,

job you've assigned to somebody,  you want them to do something. So  

you're giving an explanation as to  exactly what it is you want done,

so you can start your explanation  and some of the following ways.

What I mean is, so there's a little bit of doubt  in the eyes of the person you're talking to, and  

you can see on their face that they're not quite  clear about what you want. So you just try to,

clarify it a little bit. What I mean is you  need to be very, very precise. What I mean is

The reason for this is.

So you've changed something. Okay.  You want to explain to your team  

why things have changed so you give  them the explanation. The reason is

the boss has to be out of  town for a couple of days,  

so there's no point doing it  without him. The reason for this is

The main problem is. So there might be quite  a few little issues. But the main problem,  

the main reason why we are changing  is the following. The main problem is.

Or you just want to clarify something. But look,  

just let me explain what I mean. So  give me five minutes on and explain  

to you what I mean. Just let me explain.  So you've you've canceled something,

perhaps you've canceled holidays for  the month of July because is a really,  

really difficult time in the business.

So you want to explain to people why  they cannot take the holidays in July.  

So just let me explain what we're trying to do.

Or something a little bit more informal. Well,  the thing is, I really don't like those people,  

and I don't want to go to the party. And  I really prefer not to. If you want to go,  

of course. Yeah, but if you're asking  me for my opinion. Well, the thing is,  

I just don't want to go. Okay, so  here you are giving an explanation.

So using these expressions. So.

Quickly again. What I mean is. The reason for this  is simply the following. The main problem is that.

There's no end. If we do it once, we  have to do it twice. Just let me explain.

And then finally. Well, the thing is,  I just don't really like those people,

Well, the thing is.

Now, if you're having difficult conversations  with people and we always have to have some  

difficult conversations with people, that  could be, usually people we work with.

or could be with the kids could be  with the, the teachers at school.

But there are many situations when we have to have  difficult conversations. Not not everything is  

so easy. So here are some expressions that  we could use in those type of situations.

Simply when you want to introduce the  factor, let somebody know that you  

want to talk to them so you can say, I have  something important I'd like to discuss with  

you. I have something important I would  like to discuss with you. So immediately

are,

on notice that it's not just that. How did you get  on to weekend or what you're doing next weekend?

I have something important I would  like to discuss with you so they  

know that is something coming up.  Perhaps they've been expecting it.

Oh, I would like to talk to you about the  holiday roster, or I would like to talk  

to you about that new contract, or I'd like to  talk to you about your school report. I'd like  

to talk to you about your grades. I'd like to  talk to you about the exams that are coming up,  

ma'am. So lots and lots of ways  in which you could use that.

They're all difficult decisions,  particularly if you're trying to  

find out why son or daughter didn't  quite do as you expected them to do.

Or you looking for somebody to

help in some way. I need  your help with something. I

I need your help with this report. I need  your help with the budgeting process. I  

need your help with the new launch. I can't do  it on my own. There's some things they can do,  

but there's others where you have the particular  

skills and you have that knowledge at  your fingertips. So can you help me?

Now when it's really, really  difficult. We might have

an expression like,

I think we have different

Interpretation or we have a different  perception about this. So if your opinion,  

your view differs very, very significantly from  that of your partner, from that of your friend,  

from that of your work colleague, then you  know you have a difficult discussion. I think  

we have very different perceptions about that.  Okay. So your view is very different from mine.

Your view is polar opposite to mine.  So, you know, we're going to really.

find it difficult to reach a compromise  because we're we're nowhere near each  

other's point of view. So it's going  to be a difficult conversation. So I  

think we have different perceptions about this.

It could be about the person suitable for  a job. It could be about their promotion  

for somebody that you feel merits it,  but somebody else doesn't. It could  

be about how to handle a new client. Yeah.  So we have different perceptions about it.

And then finally, I'd like  to see if we could reach a  

better understanding. Now, this is quite formal,

So really, what you're doing is  reaching out to somebody to say,  

look, let's give it one more shot, let's give it  one more go to try and come to a compromise. I  

know your point of view and I respect it, but  you know mine and you have to respect that.

But we have to move on. So we're going to  have to find some way to compromise. I'd  

like to see if we might reach a better  understanding about this. It could be a  

difficult situation about a breakup in a  marriage. It could be about how to look  

after the kids, a divorce. All of these  other things can be very, very sensitive.

Okay, so I have something I'd like to discuss  with you. Or something very important I would  

like to discuss with you. I'd like to talk  to you about that now. I'd like to talk to  

you about that later. I need your help with  something I really could do with some support.  

I need your help. Is something. I think  we have different perceptions about us.

So we. We see things differently. We're coming  at it from different angles. But that's not the  

worst thing. But we need to to look at it. And  then finally, I'd like to see if we might reach  

a better understanding, and I'd like to see if  we might reach a better understanding about this  

particular problem. Because if we don't solve this  problem, we simply will not be able to move on.

Okay, so if you're feeling a little bit  nervous or you're feeling a little bit  

worried, then these are the sort of  expressions we use to express that.

So. Oh, I'm really nervous  about the job interview.

I'm really nervous about  meeting my girlfriend's parents.

There's a lot of expectation,  and I hope they like me. And, you

it's just a difficult situation. So  I'm. I'm really nervous about it.

Oh, we are looking for just a few minutes.

Seconds just to get your thoughts. Just give  me a moment. I'll just gather my thoughts,  

and then I'll be ready to to go into the  presentation. So just give me a moment.

Or if you want somebody just to have a little bit  of patience, we use this expression. Bear with me  

for a little while while I explain my point of  view. So it's a great expression to have on a  

meeting. So you've got lots of people asking  question, what about this? What about that?  

Blah blah blah blah blah. And you're trying to get  your point across, trying to clarify some things.

So you say, okay, guys, look, just bear with me  for a few minutes. Let me finish. Let me finish  

what I have to say, and then I'll answer any  questions you have. But if you keep interrupting,  

I'm never going to get to the end of  it. And will it just be a chaotic.

okay, so just bear with me for a few minutes.

Or if you're really, really nervous about  something, you're talking to your friend,  

you would use an expression like, oh, this keeps  me up all night, or this keeps me awake all night.

it's on my mind constantly. I'd be really,  really glad when this interview is over.  

I'd be really, really glad  when that meeting is over.

This keeps me up at night. This keeps me awake  

all night. I just don't feel as  if I get any rest or any sleep.

And then finally, I just can't stop thinking  about it. I mean, it's been on my mind since  

she mentioned it last week. What are we going  to do? So perhaps your partner has lost her job,  

or he has lost his job and you've just  moved home and you've got a mortgage  

and you've got issues and you say, I just  can't stop thinking about the problems.

What if, what if, what if what? Of  course, if that's all you think about,  

well, you won't get a solution. So you have to  look at the solutions and look at ways around  

that particular problem. But in the immediate  aftermath of getting that sort of bad news,  

of course, obviously it's something on  your mind. I can't stop thinking about.

So very quickly again. I'm really nervous about  the job interview. I'm really nervous about the  

game. Give me a moment. I'll just get my  thoughts together. Give me a moment. Bear  

with me and let me finish. And then you can ask  questions later. This keeps me awake at night.  

Or this keeps me up at night. And finally, I  can't stop thinking about those poor people.

I can't stop thinking about it.

Okay, then the last section. Phrases  that mean the same as don't worry.  

So I'll turn to phrases that you can  use because often when we are talking  

about a problem or somebody is talking  to us about a problem, we said, well,  

don't worry about it, things will work out.  Yeah. So we use that expression all the time.

Don't worry about this.

So we might use an expression like. Well,  how can I help? So if you've got a problem,  

you need some help. How can I help you? I'm  here to help if you want. How can I help?

I know exactly what you're going through. I've  

been there myself. I know exactly what  you're going through. So can I help you?

I know exactly when going  through. Or if you just want to,

Show some sympathy or empathise with somebody.  That really sucks. That really sucks. It's  

really bad news. Bad luck. But come on,  I'll help you. You'll get through it.

So how can I help?

I know what you're going through. I know  exactly what you're going through. Oh,  

that really sucks. That really sucks.

Okay, so hopefully those particular expressions  will help you get through some conversations that  

are really good for you to have, really  good for you to use and practice them.

You can see all different situations,  

particularly from the working environment  or with the kids or the family where  

arrangements are being made and have to be  changed so you can practice using those.

and if you have any problems, come back to me  www.englishlessonviaskype.com. I'll happily give  

you some further examples and situations  in particular where you can use those.

Okay, this is Harry thanking  you for listening. Thank you  

for watching. And remember to  join me for the next lesson.