Everyday English conversations: useful phrases

Before you start

Who it's for and what to know first

Basic greetings.

Learn it

How it works

• Polite requests: ‘Could I have…, please?’ is more polite than ‘I want…’.
• Asking for help: ‘Excuse me, could you help me?’ ‘Sorry, could you say that again, please?’
• Appointments: ‘I'd like to make an appointment, please.’ ‘Is Tuesday morning possible?’
• Directions: ‘How do I get to the station?’ Answers: ‘Go straight on, take the second left, it's on your right.’
• At work: ‘Could you show me how to…?’ ‘I've finished — what should I do next?’
• Example dialogue — A: ‘Good morning. Could I have a return ticket to Leeds, please?’ B: ‘Of course. That's £18.40.’ A: ‘Can I pay by card?’ B: ‘Yes, tap here.’

Tips

Common mistakes

• Saying ‘I want’ where ‘I'd like’ sounds more polite.
• Forgetting ‘please’ — in British English it matters a lot.