Shadowing Practice: 25 English Expressions Native Speakers Use Every Day | A2–B1 - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hi friends!
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Welcome back to Daily English Talk, the place where we make English fun, easy, and part of your daily life.
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I'm Lily.
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And I'm Tom.
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And if this is your first time here, welcome to the family.
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If you haven't subscribed yet, go ahead and hit that button right now.
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Don't be shy.
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Don't be shy.
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Okay, so today's episode is a big one.
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We have 25 everyday English expressions for you.
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Real expressions, the kind native speakers use every single day.
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Not textbook stuff.
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Everyday phrases that will always make your life easier.
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Exactly.
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Tom, do you remember what happened when you tried to sound formal at that cafe last week?
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Please don't.
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I'm going to tell them anyway.
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Fine.
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We'll get to that story in a minute, but first, I want to ask you something, and this is our question for today.
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Okay, here is today's question for you.
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Tom was at a coffee shop.
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He tried to order something, and the barista looked at him like this.
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Complete silence, just staring.
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What do you think Tom said?
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What went wrong?
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Think about it, leave your guess in the comments, and we will answer at the end of the episode.
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I'm gonna be so embarrassed.
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A little bit.
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Okay, let's get into today's lesson.
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So, Tom, let's just talk for a second.
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How was your morning?
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Honestly, it was a lot.
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I woke up late, I couldn't find my keys, I spilled coffee on my shirt.
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Oh no, not again.
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I know, I know, and then I had to run to catch the bus.
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So basically a normal Tom morning.
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Pretty much.
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And then at the coffee shop, I just completely blanked.
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I forgot what I wanted to say, and I just stood there.
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And what did you say instead?
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I said, I would like to have one of those large warm milk coffee beverages, please.
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Tom, Tom, no!
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I panicked.
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You could have just said, a large latte, please.
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That's it.
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Five words.
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I know that now.
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Okay, so that is exactly why today's lesson is so important.
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When you know everyday expressions, you don't freeze, you don't panic, you just talk.
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Exactly.
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And it actually feels good when the words come out naturally.
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And they will.
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That's what we're here for.
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Okay, before we get into our 25 expressions, let's talk very quickly about something called fixed expressions.
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What's that?
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What's that?
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A fixed expression is a phrase that we always say in the same way.
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You don't change the words, you just learn it as one unit.
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Like, how are you?
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Exactly.
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You don't say, how is you, or how are they.
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It's always, how are you?
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It's fixed.
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I definitely said, how is you, once.
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You did, to my grandmother.
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She looked so confused.
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She was very polite about it.
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Okay, so fixed expressions.
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We use them for greetings, for reactions, for making small talk, for agreeing, for saying goodbye.
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They are the glue of everyday conversation.
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The glue.
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I like that.
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And today you're going to learn 25 of them.
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Ready?
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Let's go.
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Okay everyone, 25 expressions.
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We'll go through them together.
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Tom and I will use each one naturally in a sentence.
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After each one, repeat it out loud.
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Say it with us.
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That is how you actually remember it.
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Don't just listen.
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Say it.
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Number one.
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How's it going?
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This just means, how are you, but more casual, more friendly.
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For example, hey Tom, how's it going?
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Pretty good, thanks.
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How about you?
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Now you say it.
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How's it going?
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Say it out loud.
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Good.
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Number two.
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What's up?
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This one confused me the first time I heard it.
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Me too.
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Someone said, what's up, and I looked at the ceiling.
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What's up just means hello or what are you doing.
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Very casual.
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For example, hey Lily, what's up?
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Not much, just working.
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You?
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Say it with us.
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What's up?
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Number three.
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Long time no see.
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Oh, I love this one.
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We say this when we haven't seen someone for a long time.
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For example, if you see an old friend after one year.
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Oh wow, long time no see.
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How have you been?
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Repeat, long time no see.
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Number four, nice to meet you.
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This one is essential.
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You use it the first time you meet someone.
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For example, hi, I'm Tom.
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And I'm Lily.
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Nice to meet you.
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Now you try.
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Nice to meet you.
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Number 5.
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How have you been?
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This is for people you already know.
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You haven't seen them in a while.
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You want to know about their life.
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It's a little more personal than, how are you, for example.
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Oh, hey, how have you been?
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Honestly, really busy, but good, really good.
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Say it out loud.
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How have you been?
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Okay, Section 2.
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Reactions.
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Number 6.
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Oh, wow.
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We say this when something surprises us, something is amazing or unexpected.
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For example, I told Tom I got free concert tickets last month.
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Oh, wow, are you serious?
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Oh, wow.
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Your turn.
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Number seven, no way.
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This means I can't believe it or really.
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It shows surprise.
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Sometimes it means you don't believe something.
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For example, Hey Lily, I heard the cafe down the street is closing.
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No way!
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That's my favorite place!
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Say it.
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No way.
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Number 8.
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Tell me about it.
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Wait, this one is interesting.
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It doesn't mean, please tell me information about it.
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Right.
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It actually means, I agree with you completely.
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You say it when someone says something you totally understand.
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For example, Ugh, this week was so long.
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Tell me about it.
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I'm exhausted.
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Repeat, tell me about it.
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Number 9.
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That's so funny.
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Simple but important.
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You use it when something makes you laugh or even when something is just a little funny.
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Not always full laughing.
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For example, my cat knocked my coffee off the table this morning.
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That's so funny.
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Was the coffee okay?
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Say it.
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That's so funny.
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Number 10.
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I can't believe it.
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Another strong reaction.
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You say it when something really shocks you.
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Good news, bad news, surprising news.
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For example, Lily, I just found $100 in my old jacket.
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I can't believe it!
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That's amazing!
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Everyone, say it!
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I can't believe it!
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Okay, expressions 11 through 15, these are for responding and agreeing in conversations.
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Number 11.
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Absolutely.
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This means yes, completely, 100%.
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It's stronger than just yes.
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For example, hey Lily, do you think English practice helps?
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Absolutely, every single day single day.
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Repeat, absolutely.
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Number 12, sounds good.
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You say this when you agree with a plan or idea.
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It's friendly and easy.
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For example, Tom, want to meet for coffee at 3?
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Sounds good.
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See you then.
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Say it, sounds good.
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Number 13, exactly.
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This means, yes, that's right.
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You say it when someone says something you completely agree with.
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For example, Lily, I feel like listening is the best way to learn a language.
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Exactly!
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And speaking, of course.
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Exactly!
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Your turn.
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Number 14, I know what you mean.
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This is a very warm phrase.
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It shows you understand someone's feelings or situation.
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For example, Tom, sometimes I feel nervous speaking English with new people.
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I know what you mean.
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I felt the same way when I first started.
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Repeat.
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I know what you mean.
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Number 15.
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Fair enough.
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This means, that's reasonable, or, okay, I accept that.
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You use it when someone gives a reason and you think it makes sense.
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For example, hey Lily, I'm going to go to bed early tonight.
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I'm really tired.
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Fair enough.
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Get some rest.
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Say it with us.
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Fair enough.
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Okay, we are at 16.
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You're doing so well.
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Keep going.
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Don't stop now.
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Number 17, just a second.
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You say this when someone is waiting and you need a little more time.
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It's polite and casual.
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For example, Tom, are you ready to go?
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Just a second.
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I can't find my keys.
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Again, just a second.
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Number 17, my bad.
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Oh, I love this one.
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My bad means, I'm sorry.
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That was my mistake.
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It's very casual.
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You say it to friends.
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For example, Tom once accidentally sent me a voice message meant for someone else.
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Yeah, my bad.
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That was really embarrassing.
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It was a voice message about his secret pizza order at midnight.
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Okay, moving on.
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Say it.
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My bad.
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Number 18.
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Never mind.
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You say this when you want to cancel what you said or when something is no longer important.
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For example, Hey Tom, have you seen my… actually, never mind, I found it.
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I say this about ten times a day.
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Repeat, never mind.
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Number 19, same here.
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This is a quick way to say, me too, or I feel the same way.
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For example, I'm so tired today.
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Ah, same here.
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I need a nap.
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Say it.
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Same here.
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And number 20, take care.
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You say this when saying goodbye.
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It means be safe, or I hope you're well.
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Very warm, very friendly.
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For example, okay, Tom, I'll see you tomorrow.
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Take care, Lily.
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Have a good evening.
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Everyone say it.
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Take care.
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Okay, final five.
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Expressions 21 through 25.
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These are connectors, little phrases that help you keep the conversation going naturally.
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Number 21.
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By the way.
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You use this to add extra information, something you just remembered, something a little extra.
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For example, hey Tom, we should leave early tomorrow.
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By the way, did you book the tickets?
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Oh, right, I forgot.
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Thanks for reminding me.
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Repeat, by the way.
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Number 22.
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Actually.
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We use actually to correct something or say something surprising.
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For example, I thought today's lesson would be short.
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Uh, actually, we have 25 expressions today.
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Still worth it.
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Say it, actually.
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Number 23.
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You know what I mean?
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You say this to check if the other person understands you.
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It keeps the conversation connected.
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For example, learning a language takes time, but you just have to keep going every day.
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You know what I mean?
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Totally.
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I know exactly what you mean.
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Repeat, you know what I mean.
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Number 24, anyway.
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You say anyway to go back to the main topic after going off on a side story.
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Lily and I do this all the time.
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We really do.
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For example, oh wow, so I was telling you about my weekend.
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And, anyway, where were we?
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Repeat, anyway.
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And number 25, that makes sense.
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You say this when someone explains something and you understand it well.
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For example, Tom, the reason I always carry snacks is
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because I get hungry between meals and I can never concentrate when I'm hungry.
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That makes sense.
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I should do that too.
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Everyone, that makes sense.
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25 expressions, you made it!
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Yes, amazing work.
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Okay, we have a challenge for you.
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Pick your three favorite expressions from today's lesson and write them in the comments below.
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Tell us which ones surprised you, which ones you've heard before, which ones you want to use first.
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We read every comment.
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Seriously, every one.
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Your comments also help other learners.
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When people see expressions used in sentences in the comments section, they learn too.
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So don't be shy.
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Write in English.
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Mistakes are totally okay.
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That's how we grow.
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Okay, everyone.
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Thank you so much for spending this time with us today.
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You just learned 25 real English expressions.
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That's huge!
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If you're not subscribed yet, please hit that subscribe button right now.
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We upload every single day.
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Every single day.
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New lessons, new conversations, new stories.
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So you can practice a little bit every day and watch your English grow.
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Because that's how it works.
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Small steps every day.
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And one day you wake up and you're just talking, naturally.
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We are so proud of you for showing up today.
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Keep going.
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You're doing better than you think.
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Take care, everyone.
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See you in the next one.
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Bye.
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Bye.
About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will practice 25 essential English expressions commonly used by native speakers in everyday conversations. By engaging with these phrases, you will enhance your speaking skills and gain confidence in real-life situations, such as ordering coffee or chatting with friends. Understanding and using these expressions will enable you to communicate more naturally, avoiding the awkward pauses and hesitation that often occur when speaking English. You'll shift from feeling overwhelmed by formal language to comfortably using concise, everyday phrases that fit seamlessly into your conversations.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Large latte - A popular coffee choice; a simple term that avoids confusion.
- Woke up late - A common expression to indicate a rushed start to the day.
- Spilled coffee - A relatable, everyday mishap that many people experience.
- Catch the bus - A phrase used when trying to arrive at a destination on time.
- Completely blanked - A term for forgetting what to say, especially in a stressful moment.
- Don’t panic - A calming expression encouraging simplicity in communication.
- Forget what I wanted to say - A phrase capturing the feeling of losing one’s train of thought.
- Fine, we’ll get to that story later - A phrase that indicates a conversational delay while keeping attention.
Practice Tips
To fully benefit from this lesson, consider using the shadowing technique. Listen closely to the video and repeat the phrases in real-time. This not only helps with improving your English pronunciation, but also allows you to mimic the natural rhythm and intonation of native speakers. When shadowing, pay attention to the speed and tone. Start by repeating the phrases slowly, then gradually increase your speed to match the speaker's pace. If you’re using a shadowing app, utilize its playback feature to practice these expressions, ensuring you understand each context. The goal is to internalize these phrases so they become second nature, making it easier to respond without hesitation when engaging in conversations. Don't forget to practice speaking out loud, as this will further enhance your fluency and confidence in using these everyday expressions.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.