تدريب Shadowing: 20 Phrases to Start Speaking English Today | Real English Conversation Practice | English Podcast - تعلم التحدث بالإنجليزية عبر الفيديو

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Mr. English Channel, where learning English is easy and fun.

I'm Emily.

Hello Emily.

Hi everyone, I'm Paul.

Today we're working with 20 phrases you can use in real conversations, from making a simple request to explaining an opinion when someone sees things differently.

We'll start with five basic phrases, move into ten intermediate ones, and finish with five more advanced expressions.

And even with the basic ones, we'll look at the details that make them useful.

That's worth saying, because students sometimes hear basic and think, I already know this.

But recognizing a phrase on a page doesn't always mean it comes easily during a conversation.

I see that in class.

A student can explain a grammar rule beautifully, then hesitate when someone asks a simple question.

They're trying to build a perfect answer while the conversation keeps moving.

And sometimes the answer they need is only a few words.

Let's start with, how's it going?

That's our first phrase, and it's something we both say outside the classroom all the time.

Actually, you said it to me before we started recording, and I told you about the traffic, which probably wasn't the short answer you were expecting.

Well, we had time.

That's part of knowing how to answer.

If someone's walking past you at work, pretty good, thanks, you, might be the whole exchange.

Whereas if a friend sits down beside you and asks the same question, there's room for more.

Pretty good, I've finally finished that project.

Gives them something to ask about.

I'd add that you don't have to say you're doing well when you're not.

It's been a long day is a normal answer.

You can be honest without explaining everything.

Yes, although your relationship matters.

You might tell a close friend what happened, with someone you barely know, a little tired but I'm doing okay, may feel more comfortable.

Let's give listeners a chance to try.

Imagine a co -worker joins you before a meeting and says, hey, how's it going?

Answer out loud with one small detail about your day.

Take a moment, then listen to one possible answer.

Pretty good.

It's been a busy morning.

How about you?

Your detail may be different.

The useful part is giving the other person a way to respond.

That opening question is social, but sometimes you're starting a conversation because you need something.

Our second phrase is, I'm looking for.

Say you walk into a store.

Hi, I'm looking for a phone charger.

And if you don't know the exact name of something, you can describe it.

I'm looking for something to clean my laptop screen.

You don't have to know every product name before asking.

That's a point I spend time on with students.

If you forget a word, explain what the thing does.

The person helping you can often supply the word you're missing.

It also works beyond shopping.

I'm looking for a place to rent near the station.

Now you've given someone both your goal and one detail that matters to you.

Although too many details at once can make the request harder to follow.

I'd start with the main thing and let them ask questions.

Nobody needs your entire housing history in the first sentence.

Especially when there are three people waiting behind you.

Once you've started that conversation, our third phrase can help with the next step.

Could you help me with?

Could you help me with this application?

That tells the person what needs attention.

It works at a reception desk, in a classroom, or with a co -worker who knows the process.

And I'd encourage students to add the specific problem.

Could you help me with this application?

I'm not sure what to put here.

You've made it easier for someone to help.

There's a small grammar point here, too.

After with, we need the thing or task.

With this email, or with finding the right room.

Don't say with find.

True.

Though I'd teach with this first and build from there.

Pointing at a form and saying, could you help me with this, is already a complete, useful request.

Fair.

We don't need to make the first attempt harder than necessary.

But suppose the person answers and uses a word or idea you don't understand.

Phrase four is, what do you mean?

I like teaching that one with an example because tone matters.

Imagine a friend says, I need some space.

Asking gently, what do you mean?

Gives them a chance to explain.

Whereas saying it sharply can sound like a challenge.

You can make the question more specific.

What do you mean by space?

Maybe they want an evening alone, not a major change in the friendship.

That's why guessing can cause trouble.

In a practical situation, what do you mean by flexible hours helps you understand a job before agreeing to its schedule?

And when the explanation works for you, phrase 5 is, that sounds good.

If someone says you can start between 8 and 9, you might answer, that sounds good.

I usually arrive around 8 .30.

Or a friend suggests meeting for lunch, and you say, that sounds good.

Where were you thinking.

You're showing interest and asking for the next detail.

But I'd be careful with the difference between interest and a firm agreement.

If you say that sounds good, people may assume you're accepting.

If you still need to check, tell them.

Which brings us to our intermediate phrases.

Number six is, I've been meaning to.

For example, I've been meaning to ask you about that restaurant.

It describes something you've intended to do but haven't done yet.

I use that when I finally catch someone I haven't seen in a while.

I have a meaning to call you.

It acknowledges the time that's passed without making a big speech about it.

100

Though if you've been saying it to the same person for three months, they might reasonably expect a call.

101

The phrase expresses an intention.

102

It doesn't replace following through.

103

Yes, eventually you need to pick up the phone.

104

It also works for experiences.

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I've been meaning to try that place.

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Then, if someone suggests tonight, phrase 7 helps.

107

I'm not sure if.

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I'm not sure if I can make it tonight.

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You're expressing uncertainty.

110

But if you already know you can't go, I'd say so.

111

Otherwise, your friend might keep waiting for an answer.

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I agree.

113

Another example is, I'm not sure if this is the right address.

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That invites someone to check with you.

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After if, keep the normal order, this is, not is this.

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And sometimes you know exactly what your answer depends on.

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That's phrase eight.

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It depends on.

119

You could say, it depends on what time I finish work.

120

Which gives your friend useful information.

121

They might suggest a later meal.

122

At home, it depends on the weather can explain why you haven't decided whether to spend Saturday outside.

123

But what if the weather's fine and you simply prefer staying home?

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Phrase 9 is, I'd rather.

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I'd rather stay in tonight expresses your preference without inventing an excuse.

126

I'm glad you mentioned excuses.

127

Students often ask for polite ways to say no, and sometimes a clear preference is enough.

128

I'd rather meet somewhere quieter gives the other person an alternative.

129

Just remember the verb comes directly after rather.

130

I'd rather meet, not I'd rather to meet.

131

You can also add warmth.

132

I'd rather meet somewhere quieter so we can catch up.

133

That reason changes how the suggestion feels, but your friend might still think you dislike their choice.

134

Our tenth phrase is, what I mean is.

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What I mean is, I like the restaurant, but it's hard to talk there.

136

Let's try that with a different situation.

137

You tell a colleague a meeting feels too long

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and they think you want to cancel it you actually want a shorter meeting how could you explain

139

that starting with what I mean is give yourself a moment

140

to answer one option is what I mean is we need the meeting

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but 30 minutes would be enough that clears up the misunderstanding

142

and gives your colleague a specific suggestion to consider you're taking another shot at explaining yourself.

143

I find that useful, even when both people are native speakers.

144

We all say things that come across differently from how we intended.

145

Absolutely.

146

And once you've explained, you still need to hear their answer.

147

Maybe they chose that restaurant because it's near work.

148

Then you're making a request that needs to work for both of you.

149

And that's where phrase Clevin comes in.

150

Would you mind?

151

You might ask, would you mind choosing somewhere closer to the station,

152

it's a polite request, and it gives your friend a specific change to consider.

153

It works for smaller things, too.

154

Would you mind closing the window?

155

Notice the verb after mind, closing, not close.

156

That's a small pattern students can practice with different everyday requests.

157

The answer sometimes surprises people, though.

158

If I ask, would you mind closing the window?

159

And you say, no, not at all.

160

You're agreeing to help.

161

You're saying it doesn't bother you.

162

Right.

163

I usually teach the whole exchange, because learning only the question leaves out that detail.

164

And if you're answering, sure, I can do that, is another clear, friendly option.

165

Speaking of friendly requests, phrase 12 is, I was wondering if.

166

Say you need a different appointment time.

167

I was wondering if you have anything available on Friday.

168

That's useful when you're asking someone to check an option for you.

169

But I wouldn't tell students they need a long opening for every request.

170

Could I have some water is perfectly polite.

171

I agree.

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You can choose how direct to be.

173

I was wondering if you could look over my application gives a gentle opening when you're asking someone for their time.

174

And sometimes the person needs time before answering.

175

Phrase 13 is, let me get back to you.

176

I use it when I need to check my schedule before agreeing to something.

177

Adding a time makes it more helpful.

178

Let me get back to you tomorrow morning.

179

Otherwise, the person doesn't know whether to wait or make another plan.

180

Exactly.

181

Though I'd only promise tomorrow if I can actually do it.

182

We've all received I'll let you know messages that apparently meant sometime in the next several years.

183

Yes, and then you're wondering whether asking again would be annoying.

184

Being clear saves both people that trouble.

185

Now, another situation.

186

Someone answers your question, but you don't hear them properly.

187

That brings us to phrase 14.

188

I didn't catch that.

189

For example, sorry, I didn't catch that.

190

What time does it start?

191

You're asking to hear the information again.

192

Which is different from asking what something means.

193

Maybe you understood every word except the time.

194

You can name the missing part.

195

I didn't catch the time.

196

I encourage students to do that.

197

If you ask someone to repeat everything, you may get another long explanation.

198

Asking for the missing detail makes the conversation easier to manage.

199

And sometimes you hear the answer clearly, but the arrangement doesn't work.

200

Phrase 15 is, Is there any way we could...

201

Like, is there any way we could move the meeting to Friday?

202

That question recognizes that changing the plan might be difficult.

203

It's useful, but it doesn't guarantee a yes.

204

You still need to give the other person space to explain what's possible.

205

Would you use that opening with a close friend, too?

206

I would if changing the plan affected several people.

207

If we were just choosing a time for coffee, I'd probably ask, could we meet later?

208

Same here.

209

The bigger the change, the more carefully I might introduce it.

210

But being polite doesn't mean apologizing five times before anyone knows what you're asking.

211

A clear question lets the other person help.

212

Let's practice that.

213

Imagine you've booked an appointment for three, but your work schedule changes.

214

Ask about moving it to four using, is there any way we could...

215

Give yourself a moment to speak.

216

One answer is, is there any way we could move my appointment to four?

217

You've made a clear request without a long explanation.

218

If they need a reason, you can add that your work schedule changed.

219

And if you want more practice, leave a comment with a request you might actually make this week.

220

Like the episode if it's helping, and subscribe to Mr. English Channel for more conversations like this.

221

I'd be interested to see how many are work requests.

222

That's where students often tell me they know what they want to say, but worry about sounding too direct, especially when they disagree.

223

Which takes us into our five advanced expressions.

224

They're useful for those more delicate conversations.

225

Phrase 16 is, I see where you're coming from, but… it acknowledges someone's reasons before you offer a different view.

226

Let's put that into a real situation, where planning a weekend trip and you want to book every activity in advance.

227

I'd say, I see where you're coming from, but I'd like to leave Saturday afternoon open.

228

And I'd want to know why.

229

Are you worried about the cost, or do you prefer deciding once we're there?

230

A polite opening helps, but we still need to understand each other.

231

I'd explain that I enjoy having time to explore.

232

Though knowing you, you'd probably put time to explore on the schedule between two other appointments.

233

I might, but I'd ask before changing anything.

234

If I'm understanding you correctly, you want fewer planned activities, but you're happy with the destination.

235

That's phrase 17.

236

If I'm understanding you correctly… And I can confirm that or correct it.

237

This one's useful when the details matter.

238

At work, if I'm understanding you correctly, you need the first draft by Thursday.

239

Checks what someone expects.

240

I wouldn't use that whole phrase for every small question, though.

241

With a friend, so Thursday might be enough.

242

The longer version helps when you're checking a more complicated explanation.

243

Agreed.

244

Now back to our trip.

245

Suppose someone says, booking everything ahead always makes a vacation better.

246

I might use phrase, I wouldn't necessarily say that.

247

That gently questions a claim that sounds too broad.

248

You're leaving room for exceptions.

249

Follow it with your reason.

250

Sometimes we find places we couldn't have planned for.

251

Yes, because the phrase alone can leave people waiting for your point.

252

It also lets you partly disagree.

253

You might support booking the hotel early while keeping your meals flexible.

254

And then phrase 19 helps you explain your approach.

255

The way I see it… For example, the way I see it, we should book the things that might sell out and decide the rest later.

256

That sounds like a plan I'd agree to.

257

You're presenting your opinion and you've made it specific enough for us to discuss.

258

It's easier to respond to than we should be sensible.

259

Especially because everyone thinks their own plan is sensible.

260

Our 20th phrase can help find the main issue.

261

What it comes down to is.

262

Here, what it comes down to is how much flexibility we want.

263

That pulls the discussion toward the choice we need to make.

264

Outside travel, you might say, what it comes down to is whether we have enough time.

265

Then you can look at the schedule together.

266

Let's give listeners one more turn.

267

A colleague wants daily meetings.

268

You understand they want everyone informed, but you think twice a week is enough.

269

Begin with, I see where you're coming from, but… Take a moment.

270

You could say, I see where you're coming from, but I think two meetings a week would be enough.

271

You could also suggest a short email on the other days.

272

That finishes our practice example.

273

Notice that a useful answer doesn't need every expression we've taught choosing one

274

that fits your meaning is enough to move the conversation forward

275

I'd actually discourage trying all 20 at once pick a few

276

that match your week if you have an appointment to change rehearse

277

that request with the real day in time

278

and practice the possible answer to someone might offer a different time

279

or ask you to call back preparing for that next turn helps the phrase become part of a conversation.

280

That's something I value as a teacher.

281

When a student responds to an unexpected question, even slowly, they're doing something important.

282

They're listening and making a choice with the English they have.

283

And they deserve time to make that choice.

284

A conversation can include a pause, a question, or a second attempt.

285

You can say something imperfectly and still give the other person a clear picture of what you mean.

286

Exactly.

287

Whether you use a basic phrase or a more advanced one, the goal is to take part.

288

Thanks for practicing with us today.

289

I hope you find a chance to use one of these phrases soon.

290

Thanks, Paul.

291

And thank you for joining us at Mr. English Channel, where learning English is easy and fun.

292

Take care, everyone.

293

We'll see you next time.

294

See you next time, Emily.

295

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