Shadowing Practice: You’re Welcome? Here’s What We Actually Say - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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I imagine one of the first phrases you ever learned in English was, you're welcome.
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I imagine one of the first phrases you ever learned in English was, you're welcome.
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And you're welcome is fine.
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It's a very commonly used expression,
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the natural response to thank you.
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But it's not the only expression that British people use.
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In fact, it can sound a bit more stiff
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and a bit more formal than some of the other options that we use.
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We do say you're welcome,
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but we say lots of other things depending on the situation or the tone.
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So today I am going to show you some natural alternatives to you're welcome.
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They will range from polite to friendly to informal and casual to typically British.
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Are you ready to learn some alternatives to you're welcome?
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Let's go.
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Let's start with a classic.
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No problem.
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No problem.
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No problem.
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This is incredibly common in British English, especially in casual situations.
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You might hear it when someone is thanked for a small favour,
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or when someone opens the door for someone,
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or if someone helps quickly.
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For example, thanks for sending that over.
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No problem.
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No problem.
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One thing to note about this one.
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Some people might feel this sounds too casual in very formal situations,
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but in everyday life it's completely normal.
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Thanks, no problem.
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This next one is ideal if you want to sound very British and very relaxed,
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and that is no worries.
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No worries.
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It means that was easy,
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I don't mind, you didn't inconvenience me in any way, no worries.
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For example, Sorry I'm late.
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No worries.
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You'll hear this everywhere in the UK and I believe in Australia too.
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But no worries is very common in the UK.
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Now the next one, of course.
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This one is subtle but powerful.
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It suggests that helping was obvious, expected, completely natural.
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For example, thanks for helping me revise.
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Of course.
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Oh thanks for looking after the dog.
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Of course.
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Of course.
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Just with this one, be careful with your tone.
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If you say it warmly,
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it is kind and reassuring.
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Of course.
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If you say it sharply and clipped, it can sound annoyed.
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Of course.
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Of course.
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I've been through this before.
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Tone matters.
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Tone is very important.
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Number four is a friendly and and a warm one,
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and that is anytime.
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Anytime.
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As you can probably guess from the word itself this means
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i'd happily do it again anytime for example thanks for explaining
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that anytime this works very well with friends
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or colleagues it feels very generous
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and open anytime i'd happily do it again anytime this next
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one is very polite very professional can be a touch formal which is fine and that is
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my pleasure you'll hear this a lot in hotels restaurants
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or shops in the hospitality industry for example oh thank you
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so much my pleasure
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or it's a pleasure my pleasure you can use this one in everyday life
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but it is a tad more formal this next one is
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a very natural one number six don't mention it don't mention
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it this means it's not worth thanking me it was so little bother to me It's not worth thanking me.
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Don't mention it.
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For example, thanks for picking that up for me.
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Don't mention it.
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It can sound friendly or dismissive depending on the tone.
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Again, watch your tone.
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Warmth is everything.
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Listen to the difference with this.
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Don't mention it.
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Don't mention it.
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Don't mention it.
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Don't mention it.
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Big difference there.
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This next one, that's all right or that's okay.
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These are understated and of course,
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because they are understated, they are very British.
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That's alright or that's okay.
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For example, oh, thanks waiting,
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that's all right, thanks for doing that for me, that's okay.
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These are both calm and quite natural.
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What we don't always say,
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as I mentioned at the beginning,
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we don't always say you're welcome.
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We do say it but usually when we are being extra polite
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or we're teaching or we want to sound very clear or formal,
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in daily conversation it can sound a bit distant actually.
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So if you're always saying you're welcome.
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You're not wrong, but it can sound a bit more formal.
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Now let's practice.
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I'm going to say thank you and without thinking,
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choose one of the new ways you have learned to say you're welcome.
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Thanks for your help.
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Thanks for holding the door.
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Thanks so much for everything.
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Write your answers in the comments.
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There's no single correct answer.
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Context with this is everything.
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So if you're not given that much context, it's not as easy.
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And there you go next time someone says thank you in English,
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you've got many options.
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Please like if this video was helpful.
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If you want more everyday British English,
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make sure you have subscribed.
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And let me know in the comments which one do you use most.
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For details about one-to-one coaching with me or courses that are available or in development,
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look at the links in the description below.
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See you in the next one.
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Bye!

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will learn natural alternatives to the common English phrase "You're welcome." While "you're welcome" is widely recognized and often used, there are numerous other phrases that can help you sound more fluent and relaxed in everyday conversations. You'll explore expressions that vary from polite to informal, allowing you to choose the right response based on the context and tone of your interaction. Whether you're practicing for your IELTS speaking test or simply enhancing your conversational skills, these expressions will enrich your vocabulary and improve your confidence in speaking.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • No problem - A casual response indicating that helping was easy and not an inconvenience.
  • No worries - A friendly phrase suggesting that the other person did not trouble you.
  • Of course - Indicates that the assistance was expected and natural in tone, depending on the delivery.
  • My pleasure - A polite way of saying you enjoyed helping.
  • Anytime - Informal way to express that you are always available to help.
  • It’s nothing - Suggests that the help provided was minor and didn’t require gratitude.

Practice Tips

To effectively practice these phrases, consider using a shadowing approach, which is particularly beneficial for enhancing your speaking skills. Try listening to the video at a comfortable speed and repeating after the speaker. As you practice, pay attention to the nuances in tone and context; for instance, how the expression "Of course" can be warm or curt based on how it’s delivered. You might find it useful to use a shadowing app that allows you to adjust the playback speed, giving you time to emulate the speaker’s intonation and rhythm. This technique not only helps with pronunciation but also builds your confidence for scenarios like IELTS speaking practice. Remember to focus on the emotion behind each phrase—this will make your responses sound more natural and engaging.

As you continue with your shadow speech practice, experiment with different contexts where these phrases can be used—both in casual settings with friends and more formal interactions—to enhance your versatility in English communication. With consistent practice, you’ll be able to easily incorporate these phrases into your everyday conversations.

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.

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