The ability to gain time in conversation is necessary not only for politics. For those who have just started to learn a foreign language? this is also very important, and here the words fillers will come to the rescue, as well as expressions that will allow you to fill in the pause and ponder your next statement. Do not be afraid of template phrases - our language consists of them.
Useful English expressions: fill in the pauses
So:
- Well - an analogue of our "good" or "well." Only "well" not in the incentive sense "come on!" - in this sense, we use it at the end of the sentence, and at the beginning of the phrase - when we need to “take time”. For example: "Well, tell me more about your plans." “Well, tell me more about your plans.” Another version of the translation of this word is “anyway”. For example: "Well, I am not good so good speaker." “Anyway, I'm not such a good speaker.”
- Anyway - translation options are the same as for well, however, the use of anyway is typical for people from the USA. Example: “Anyway, John divorced” - “Well, John got divorced.”
- As far as - as for, relatively, as far as, etc. For example: “As far as I remember you are planning to leave that job”. ““ As I understand it, you're going to quit this job. ”
- By the way or a popular option on social networks to reduce this phrase is btw. Translated as "by the way", "by the way." For example: “By the way, my boyfriend also likes motorcycling.” “By the way, my boyfriend also loves motorcycles.”
These persistent expressions in the English language are common enough to be worth your time in the first place.
We build connected sentences
These colloquial phrases in English will help not only to dilute the text, but also to logically build your narrative:
- First of all - first of all. For example, First of all I'd pefer you to tell me about your childhood. - First of all, I would prefer you to tell me about your childhood.
- What's more - besides, moreover, yes and ... For example: And what's more, your son fail his exam. “And besides, your son failed the exams.”
- After all - finally, in the end, because, after all, however, be that as it may. For example: She made a right choice after all. “Still, she made the right choice.”
- Moreover - more than that. For example: Moreover, I don't believe him. “Moreover, I do not believe him.”
Travel Phrases
How to learn English for travel without too much time? It is not difficult to find a phrasebook, but how best to work with it? It is enough to remember a few template phrases, individual words in which can be easily replaced or used in other sentences - and you will already have a good active dictionary.
For example: I don't understand English. - I do not understand English.
Add the short word well.
I don't understand English well. “I don't understand English well.”
Instead of the simple well, you can use the popular expression very well. We get:
I don't understand English very well. - I do not understand English very well.
Having examined these examples, you already realized that “I don't” means “I do not”, and instead of understand, you can substitute any verb in the initial form from the dictionary. Of course, it would be desirable to know that “I don't” is “I am not” only for the present, that is, with its help you can only say “I do not”, but you cannot say “I did not”. But all this can be quite easily clarified with the help of a quality grammar guide. In order to navigate traveling, it is important to have a good vocabulary, and the grammar will wait. Mistakes will be forgiven. A set of understandable and useful expressions is really very convenient to implement, analyzing the sentences according to the scheme above. For example, try playing with the following phrases. Each of them will come in handy on a trip:
How can I get to the airport?
(The verb get is one of the most used, its main meaning is “get”).
May I (can I) pay by credit card?
(In this sentence, the words credit card can be completely replaced with a short cash - cash).
Could you help me a little (help me a little)?
(Similarly. The word help is very easy to replace with another verb).
Where is the supermarket (this supermarket)?
Take a close look at the first parts of these sentences (I can, how can I, where I am, etc.). Using them, you can easily learn spoken English for tourists. Phrases, for example, may be:
Could you tell me ... - Could you tell me…
Where is the ticket office / shop / hospital? - Where is the cashier / shop / hospital located?
May I come in / help you / ask you / have another pastry? - Can I come in / help you / ask you / get another cake? (the word may has a connotation of permission “can”, “allow”).
The most common phrases and phrases
The following colloquial phrases in English cannot be ignored, they can be found in everyday life, in every film or literary work. They are repeated so often that it is impossible not to remember them. All of them are quite common, they can be used in a variety of situations. So:
- What's the matter? - What's the matter?
- Cool! - Cool! This word is almost a parasite, so often it occurs. However, there is no simpler way to express your admiration or approval.
- Very well. - Very well. One of the most famous ways to show your approval.
- Calm down. - Calm down. A similar popular meaning is Don't worry. - Do not worry.
Courtesy Phrases
Familiar textbooks and English courses, as a rule, give good grammar knowledge and allow you to expand the dictionary, but with their help it is impossible to learn colloquial phrases in English. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to them, because it is they for the majority of students who turn out to be the main difficulty when traveling to English-speaking countries. Studying the most popular colloquial expressions, you should immediately understand whether they refer to a formal language, informal or slang. Consider the following examples:
The first thing to start with is the question, “How are you?”
"How are you?" - has a fairly formal connotation. This is not so much a question “How are you?”, But an expression of attention, a greeting and a way to start a conversation. The standard answer to this expression, with which you will never be mistaken, no matter how you really go about it: I'm fine, thank you. There are other options, it’s best to start with “I'm” (I'm good / very well). Answers like “so-so” (So-so or Fifty-fifty) will be perceived as your desire to continue the conversation and are no longer so formal.
Examples of direct translation are given for the next three phrases, but they have one common meaning - “How are you?” They are more laid back than How are you?
"How're you doing?" “How are you doing right now?”
"How's it going?" “How is it going?”
"How's everything?" - "As everyone?"
"How is life?" - "What's up?"
"How are things?" “How are things?”
Another popular way to ask is “How are you?” Is the famous expression "What's up?" Literally, it is translated “What's New?” This phrase is informal and well suited for communicating with friends.
How to express gratitude and end a conversation
This is a must for anyone who wants to learn English for travel. The phrasebook of almost any author offers such an option - “Thank you”. However, you can hear “Thanks” much more often. They may also say Cheers or Ta (especially in the UK).
"Have a nice day!" - "Have a great day!" With this phrase you can end the conversation, writing, chatting. It is perfect for communicating with strangers. You can also use more informal expressions, for example, "take care" (take care, look at both), "see ya!" (in the classic spelling “see you”, which means “see you later”).
Popular abbreviations
Spoken English is very often used:
- gonna instead of going to (going to do smth.);
- wanna instead of want to;
- shoulda instead of shoud have (“should have done”, after shoulda one needs to use the past participle);
- coulda instead of could have (“could”, after coulda the past participle is also used).
And now these English colloquial phrases with translation in examples:
I wanna be a model. “I want to be a model.”
You shoulda been there yesterday. “You should have been there yesterday.”
I'm gonna visit Prague. “I'm going to visit Prague.”
You coulda helped me. “You could help me.”
Popular English Talking Expressions
How to agree or object, express your opinion or express an attitude to the subject of the conversation?
Let's start with the simplest: really? This short question, which translates as “truth?”, Will make it possible for the interlocutor to question what he is saying, wait for clarifications, and are ready to listen to him again. You are right / wrong will clearly express your opinion (you are right / wrong). To start your thought, it is enough to say: I suppose ... - I suppose .... To agree or disagree with the interlocutor: I (don't) agree with you. - I disagree with you.
Tips for learning English fast
How to learn spoken phrases in English? The most important thing for those who are going on a trip is the listening skill. Set aside textbooks. Of the four skills that characterize knowledge of English - listening, reading, grammar and speaking - the first is important to you. By training your ability to understand speech by ear, you are preparing to speak well. Remember how the children learn to speak. First, understanding, that is, a passive process, then speaking. Therefore, listen as much as possible. It can be dialogs in English, conversations between other people, movies, radio, talk shows and so on. Do not just watch movies, but do work. It is highly advisable to watch movies with captions. Record persistent English expressions that appear in the film. Analyze them, specify their meaning in the dictionary. Then watch the movie relaxed, paying attention to other words. It doesn’t matter what result you have achieved and whether you remember at least something. Go to the next movie and follow the same pattern. After a while, try looking into your notes. You will be surprised that much is already understood and familiar to you. So, without particularly straining and having fun, you can get a good vocabulary.