Do you want to improve your spoken English? Studying colloquial phrases and expressions - this is exactly where to start!

This article contains everything you need in a conversation on absolutely any topic. You will make your speech richer and more varied, and your communication with people more enjoyable and exciting!

Greetings and farewells

Of course, you can always get by with the words “Hello”, “How are you?” and “Goodbye”, but there are also more varied ways to say hello and goodbye, especially in a friendly environment (for example, in a group):

How is it going?	How are things going?
How's life?	How's life?
How are things?	How is it?
Long time no see!	Long time no see!
What are you up to?	What are you doing?
What have you been up to?	What have you been doing all this time?
See you soon!	See you soon!
See you later!	See you later!
Till next time!	Until next time!
Good luck!	Good luck!
Take care!	Take care of yourself!
Talk to you later!	We'll talk to you later!
Until we meet again!	See you again!
Have a nice day!	Have a good day!
Have a good weekend	Have a nice weekend
Have a safe trip	Have a nice trip
Say hi to...	Say hello...
Send my love to…	Say hello... (if we are talking about relatives or close people)

Introductory words

They make sentences more coherent and help the interlocutor follow your train of thought. They also give time to find words without creating long pauses in speech.

In short / in brief	in short
In a word	in a nutshell
As far / as to	as for
Not to mention	not to mention
First of all/ above all	first of all
What's more	Besides
By the way	By the way
After all	in the end; after all
Just for the record	for reference; so you know
And so on and so forth	and so on
If I'm not mistaken	if I'm not mistaken
In other words	in other words
On the contrary	vice versa
The thing is	the thing is that
So as to / so that	so that
Either way	one way or another
As a rule	usually, as a rule
As well as	just like
All the same	doesn't matter
On one hand	On the one side
On the other hand	on the other side
Such as	For example
As I said before	as I already said
Believe it or not, but	believe it or not, but
If I remember rightly / If I recall correctly	if I remember correctly

Ways to express agreement or disagreement

There are many shades between “yes”, “no” and “maybe”. If you want to avoid direct refusal or, on the contrary, express your enthusiasm, these expressions will help you:

Perhaps	Maybe, maybe
Of course / Sure	Certainly
Definitely	Definitely, definitely
Absolutely	Undoubtedly
Naturally	Naturally
Probably	Likely
You are right	You're right
It can hardly be so	This is unlikely to be the case
Very well	Very good
Most likely	More likely
Most unlikely	Hardly
Not a bit	Not at all
I believe so / suppose so	I guess that's true
I doubt it	I doubt
No way	No way, no way
Exactly so	That's right
Quite so	Quite right
I agree with you	I agree with you
I am afraid you are wrong	I'm afraid you're wrong
I'm afraid so	I'm afraid so
I'm not sure	Not sure
I don't think so	I don't think so; unlikely
In a way / to a certain extent	In a sense
No doubt	Undoubtedly
I'm in / I'm game	I am “for” (in response to a suggestion to go somewhere or do something)
I think I'll pass	Better without me
Deal!	It's coming!
It's a great idea!	Great idea!
Not a very good idea	Not a good idea
I'm looking forward to it	I'm looking forward to it

Polite phrases

Always nice in any language. Rest assured, your interlocutor will appreciate knowing these phrases, whether it be a thank you, an apology, or just a simple courtesy.

I'm so sorry!	I'm really sorry!
I beg your pardon!	I'm sorry!
I’m sorry, I can’t.	Sorry, I can't.
Sorry, I meant well.	Sorry, I wanted the best.
It's very kind of you!	That's very nice of you!
Thank you anyway!	Anyway, thanks!
Thank you in advance!	Thanks in advance!
Don't mention it!	Do not mention it!
May I help you?	Can I help you?
No problem / that’s ok!	Everything is fine!
Don't worry about it!	Don't worry about it!
This way, please!	This way please!
After you!	After you!

Ways to keep the conversation going and respond to what is said

Undoubtedly, the most popular colloquial reaction is the word “Really?” Depending on the intonation, it can express a variety of emotions, from sarcasm and irony to surprise and sincere delight. But, of course, there are other ways to show interest in what is being said:

What's the matter?	What's the matter?
What's going on? / What's happening?	What's happening?
What's the trouble?	What's the problem?
What's happened?	What's happened?
How was it?	So how? (How did it go?)
Did I get you right?	Did I understand you correctly?
Don't take it to heart.	Don't take it to heart.
I didn't catch the last word.	I didn't understand the last word.
Sorry, I wasn’t listening.	Sorry, I listened.
It doesn't matter.	It doesn't matter.
It is new to me.	This is news to me.
Let us hope for the best.	Let's hope for the best.
May I ask you a question?	Can I ask you a question?
Next time lucky!	Better luck next time!
Oh, that. That explains it.	That's it, that explains everything.
Say it again, please.	Repeat again please.
So that’s where the trouble lies!	So that's the thing!
Things happen.	Anything can happen.
What do you mean?	What do you mean?
Where were we?	Where are we?
Were you saying?	Did you say something?
I’m sorry, I didn’t catch you.	Sorry, I didn't hear.
Lucky you!	You're in luck!
Good for you!	So much the better for you! (In this phrase, a lot depends on intonation; it often implies sarcasm: “Well, well, I’m glad for you!”)
I'm so happy for you!	I'm so happy for you! (But this is said absolutely sincerely)
What do you know!	Who would have thought!

Introductory phrases and filler words exist in any language. Such phrases help start a conversation, connect parts of a conversation, parts of a sentence, thoughts and ideas with each other. Introductory phrases and words in English help give emotional and semantic coloring to speech, making speech more expressive and rich. Such expressions can convey the speaker's attitude towards the statement.

Examples of using introductory words and phrases in English

Knowing the introductory phrases and plug-in constructions in English will be very useful for those learning this language because it will help the beginner improve his language skills. Today we will look at the most common and frequently occurring introductory phrases in the English language, the so-called clichés, and their use in speech.

Introductory phrases are called introductory phrases because the sentence begins with them, and they do not play any grammatical or semantic role in the sentence. Such expressions enhance the emotionality and expressiveness of the statement, but if they are discarded, the meaning of the sentence will not change in any way.

Here are the main cliches with examples that will help you diversify your English speech:

• Moreover,...- Moreover…
  Tom is absent today, moreover, he is ill. - Tom is absent today, moreover, he is ill.
• Most of all...- Most of all...
  Most of all I like ice-cream. — Most of all I love ice cream.
• It is important to know that...- It is important to know that...
  It is important to know that this question needs an urge decision. “It is important to know that this issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible.”
• It is important to remember that…- It is important to remember that...
  It is important to remember that we have no time to be late, nobody will wait for us. “It’s important to remember that we don’t have time to be late because no one will wait for us.”
• In conclusion...- In conclusion..., As a conclusion...
  In conclusion I’d like to say that you’ve done a great work. — In conclusion, I would like to say that you have done an excellent job.
• After all...- In the end…
  I am sick and tired of this conversation, and after all, it’s late, it’s time to go home. “I’m tired of this conversation, and in the end, it’s late, it’s time to go home.”
• In any case, … / Anyway, … / Either way, …- In any case..., Still...
  In any case, we should prevent him. Anyway he must know about the problem. “In any case, we should warn him.” Still, he should know about the problem.
• Actually...- Actually...
  Actually Tom didn’t know about the problem, so he isn’t guilty. - Actually, Tom didn’t know about the problem, it’s not his fault.
• Fortunately...- Fortunately…
  Tom is late. Fortunately, we didn’t manage to begin the conference. - Tom was late. Fortunately, we haven't started the conference yet.
• Unfortunately...- Unfortunately…
  Unfortunately, I didn’t finish my homework. — Unfortunately, I didn’t finish my homework.
• Firstly...- First of all, first of all...
  Let's begin. Firstly, I want to ask you some questions. - Let's get started. First I would like to ask you a few questions.
• Instead of…- Instead of...
  Instead of watching TV now, you’d wash up. — Instead of watching TV now, you should wash the dishes.
• In the first place,…- In first place...
  In the first place we must finish our work for today. - First of all, we must finish our work for today.
• From time to time...- From time to time...
  Do you often see Alex? Yes, from time to time he visits me. — Do you see Alex often? Yes, he visits me from time to time.
• Аs a result of…- As a result of the fact that...
  As a result of what is done, we have a great job. “As a result of what has been done, we have done a good job.”
• Indeed...- In fact, in reality...
  Indeed, I need you. - Actually, I need you. Also in the proverb A friend in need is a friend indeed. — A friend is known in need (Literally: a friend in need is truly a friend).
• In order to…- So that, in order to...
  In order to manage everything, you should plan your day. — To manage everything, you must plan your day.
• In other words...- In other words...
  She doesn't want to finish her task, in other words, she is lazy. “She doesn’t want to finish her work, in other words, she’s lazy.”

Popular introductory clichés in English speech

Even more English introductory clichés

Of course, in the English language there are a lot of expressions that do not play any grammatical role in a sentence, but lexically enrich and decorate speech:

• It seems that...- It seems that...
  It is cloudy and windy outside. It seems to me that it will rain. — It’s cloudy and windy outside. It seems to me that it will rain.
• In short...- Briefly speaking…
  I am not sure he understood the problem. In short, he didn’t understand anything. “I'm not sure he understood what the problem was.” In short, he didn't understand anything.
• Besides...- Besides…
  I am very tired; besides, I think that I’ve caught a cold. “I’m very tired, and besides, I think I’ve caught a cold.”
• In addition,...- In addition, besides...
  We have a lot of work. In addition we must finish it till Sunday. - We have a lot of work. Besides. we have to finish it before Sunday.
• By the way...- By the way, by the way...
  By the way, did you pay for the internet? — By the way, did you pay for the Internet?
• However...- Nevertheless, still...
  I’ve finished my article; however, I have some details. — I finished my article, however, there are still some details left.
• Frankly speaking, …- Honestly…
  Frankly speaking, I don’t believe him. “Honestly, I don’t believe him.”
• In my opinion,…- In my opinion, in my opinion...
  In my opinion, Alex is a very sincere man. — In my opinion, Alex is a very sincere person.
• Аt first, … / First, …- First, first...
  Can I take your car? At first, I must speak with my parents. -Can I borrow your car? First I have to talk to my parents.
• First of all,…- First of all...
  I want to be a doctor. But first of all, I must finish the school. - I want to be a doctor. But first of all I have to finish school.
• Let us/Let"s/Let me…- Allow me, let's...
  Let me see your documents. - Let me look at your documents.
• On the one hand, …, on the other hand, …- On the one hand, on the other hand...
  On the one hand this question is very important, but on the other hand it can wait. - On the one hand this question is very important, on the other hand it can wait.
• Also...- Also…
  I’ve bought some dresses for my daughter; also I’ve bought a skirt for me. — I bought several dresses for my daughter, and I also bought a skirt for myself.
• Nevertheless...- Still, nevertheless, despite...
  Nevertheless, Ann is late, we’ll begin without her. — Even though Anna is late, we will start without her.
• I would rather...- I would prefer...
  I would rather finish this exercise. — I would prefer to finish this exercise.
• I would like to...- I would like…
  I would like ice-cream with fruits. — I would like an ice cream sundae.
• I think, … / I believe, … / I guess, …/I consider…- I think, I think, I guess...
  I consider that our planet needs protection. — I think that our planet needs protection.
• Maybe...- May be…
  Tom didn't come to our party. Maybe he is ill. Tom didn't come to our party. Maybe he got sick.
• Probably…- Maybe…
  Probably Kate will win the contest. — Katya will probably win this competition.
• It's possible that...- It’s possible that...
  I can't connect the internet. It’s possible that our computer is broken. — I can’t access the Internet, perhaps our computer is broken.

So, these were the main introductory phrases and plug-in constructions in the English language. We hope that these simple clichés and expressions will help you connect sentences as you speak.

If you watch everyday speech, you will probably be surprised how many introductory words there are. In this sense, English differs little from the Russian language, and introductory words in English make speech lively and pleasant to human ears. In fact, these are the words that can easily be removed from the text without losing its meaning (and this is how they differ from official ones).

Without introductory words, the speech would be too dry, and it would be too difficult for the interlocutor to perceive the conversation. For example, in scientific texts the number of introductory words tends to a minimum, which is why they are so difficult for ordinary people to understand.

In addition, introductory words give speech emotional coloring and liveliness, reflect the narrator’s personal attitude to the situation and perform an important communicative function.

What parts of speech can act as introductory words?

Any part of speech - verb, noun, and others - can act as an introductory word. Moreover, the English language has a huge number of set expressions that are also introductory. Words, phrases, mini-sentences can be introductory in the main sentence and not carry any semantic load.

What introductory phrases are used to express a positive attitude?

If your English-speaking interlocutor enthusiastically proves his point of view to you or talks about his exciting impressions of some event, then you, as in a dialogue with a compatriot, will probably have to cheer him up, agree on something, and on something else. object. To express your consent in relation to what has been said, you can use the following words and expressions:

• “You are right” - You are right
• “Yes, of course” - Yes, sure
• “Very good” - Very well
• “I believe so” - I believe so
• “I agree with you” - I agree with you
• "Naturally!" —Naturally
• "Maybe" - Maybe
• “Very similar to that” - Most likely
• “Exactly so!” —Exactly so

What introductory phrases should you use to express your disagreement?

So, in any conversation controversial issues arise, and you can no longer assent to your interlocutor “You are right”, but want to object to something. Then introductory words in English will help express your doubt or disagreement:

• “I’m afraid, but it’s not so” - I’m afraid so
• “I doubt it” - I doubt it
• “It’s unlikely to be so” - It can hardly be so
• “It doesn’t look like it” - Most unlikely
• “No way!” - Not a bit!
• “No way!” - No way
• "Of course not!" - No go
• “Never in my life” – Not for a moment
• “Not even close” – Nowhere near
• “What nonsense!” — What’s the idea of..!

Introductory phrases as a tribute to politeness

Introductory words perform another important role: they show your interlocutor that you are a well-mannered person and have an understanding of the rules of decency. Below is a list of words that are applicable everywhere, from friendly conversation to business correspondence. And, of course, words of greeting and farewell, without which not a single conversation is complete.

• “I am writing to tell you..” — I am writing to say
• “I hope..” - I am hoping
• “I am interested..” — I am interested in
• “I am really looking forward to..” — I am really looking forward to
• “It does you credit” - It does you credit
• “I’m very glad to see you” - I’m glad to see you
• “Very kind of you” - It’s very kind of you
• “I beg your pardon” - I beg your pardon
• “You’re welcome” - Not at all
• “I don’t care about that” - I don`t care about
• “Very grateful for your help” - I really appreciated all your help
• "You're welcome!" — You are welcome
• “Thanks in advance!” — Thank you in advance
• “Only after you” - After you
• “Sorry, but I can’t” - I’m sorry, I can’t
• "Do not mention it!" -Don't mention it
• “Everything is fine” - No problem
• “How are you” - How are you today
• “This way, please” - This way, please
• “I’m sorry” - I’m so sorry
• “Sorry, I didn’t hear you” - I’m sorry, I didn’t catch you
• "Can I help you?" - Do I help you?
• “Thank you anyway” - Thank you anyway
• “See you later” - See you later
• “Good luck” - Good luck
• “Until we meet again” - Until we meet again
• “We'll talk to you later” - Talk to you later
• “See you soon” - See you soon
• “Until next time” – Till next time
• "Take care of yourself!" — Take care
• “See you, ciao” - See ya
• "Farewell!" — Farewell
• "Bye" - Bye-bye

Introductory words in the repertoire of a good storyteller

If you want to learn English, then you cannot do without speaking practice. Let's return to the hypothetical interlocutor again. So he's talked enough, and now he wants to listen to your story. What words do you need to describe events that excite you? Your vocabulary, most likely, is rich enough to perform this task. And with introductory words, your speech will become richer and faster, because behind the template phrases you will have enough time to remember the appropriate word.

1. Introductory words that give emotional coloring to your statements, with their help you can give them personal assessment:
   • “To my surprise” - To my surprise
   • “To tell you the truth..” (with intonation of doubt) - To tell you the truth
   • "Honestly" - Honestly
   • “Unfortunately” - Unfortunately
   • “Fortunately for us” - Fortunately for us
   • “I believe that...” — In my opinion
2. Introductory linking words that structure your story
   • “Firstly” - Firstly
   • “Secondly” - Secondly
   • “Let’s start with the fact that...” - To begin with
   • “In the end...” - Finally
   • “The first thing worth noting..” - The first thing that needs to be said is
   • "First of all" - First of all
   • “The second reason..” — The second reason for
3. Filler words filler pauses in conversation
   • "In a nutshell" - Briefly
   • “Actually..” - Actually
   • “In other words” - In other words
   • “In general..” - At all
   • “Nevertheless..” - Nevertheless
   • “For this reason..” - Therefore
   • “However,..” - However
   • “Otherwise” - Otherwise
   • “Perhaps...” - Perhaps