Prática de Shadowing: Learn 75 English Phrases You'll Actually Use in Real Life | Slow English (A2-B1) - Aprenda a falar inglês com vídeo
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Hello, everyone.
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Today, you will learn 75 natural English phrases that will help you speak more easily in real, everyday conversations.
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These are not strange textbook phrases.
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They are expressions that Slava and I genuinely use when we talk every day.
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Sometimes too often, especially when Victoria says, really, after I explain one of my brilliant ideas.
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We will discuss the quality of those ideas later, but first, welcome to Cambridge English Walking Podcast.
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I'm Slava, this is my wife Victoria, and you can practice slow British English with us while you walk,
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cook, make tea, or simply relax.
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Today's walk begins beside Tottenham Court Road Station at Outernet London,
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where enormous screens surround visitors with colourful pictures, music and sound.
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From there, we'll walk along Oxford Street, past its famous shops, turn south near Reserved,
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cross Trafalgar Square, and finish at Horse Guards on Whitehall.
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Right.
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Our first useful phrase is one you may hear almost immediately in Britain.
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How's it going?
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Wait, wait.
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What is going and where is it going?
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Should I look for it?
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No. It simply means, how are you?
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Or, how are things?
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It is friendly and informal.
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So, if a colleague says, hi, Slava, how's it going?
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I don't need to describe where I'm going.
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Exactly.
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You can answer, not bad, thanks, which is our second phrase, not bad.
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But does not bad mean good, average, or secretly terrible?
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Usually it means things are quite good or perfectly fine.
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British people often sound less excited than they really are.
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Ah, so I could win a million pounds and say, not bad, very calm, very British.
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Perhaps slightly too calm.
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Now, imagine I explain why I prefer tea and you understand my reason, but you do not completely agree.
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I can say, fair enough.
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That means I accept your reason even if my own opinion is different.
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Exactly.
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Tea is cheaper and I've already had three coffees.
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Fair enough.
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It keeps a small disagreement friendly.
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Especially when disagreeing with your wife, which is Advanced Survival English.
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Very wise.
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Now, I say, let's have lunch at one o 'clock.
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What could you answer?
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Sounds good.
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It means I like the suggestion or I agree with the plan.
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Yes.
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Notice that we say sounds because we're reacting to an idea we have just heard.
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And if you apologize because you're five minutes late, I can say no worries.
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Correct.
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No worries means it's all right or there's no problem.
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It sounds relaxed and friendly.
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Five minutes late, no worries.
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Fifty minutes late, there may be several worries.
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Definitely.
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Here's the next one.
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That makes sense.
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We use it when an explanation seems logical and clear.
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For example, I'm taking an umbrella because the sky is very dark.
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That makes sense.
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Good.
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But if you take three umbrellas, I may understand your words without agreeing with your decision.
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Then I could say, I see what you mean.
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Is that different?
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A little.
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I see what you mean shows that you understand someone's point, but you may still have another opinion.
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Let's test our listeners.
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I say, online lessons are convenient because you can study at home.
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Which phrase could you use?
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Pause for a moment and choose, that makes sense, or I see what you mean.
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Actually, both can work.
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Exactly.
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Use the first if the idea feels logical, and the second if you understand the point, perhaps before adding a different view.
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Now, Slava, I studied English for 30 minutes every day this week.
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Good for you.
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That is our eighth phrase, and it shows that you are pleased about another person's effort or success.
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Thank you.
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But tone matters.
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If you say, good for you, with a cold voice, it can sound sarcastic.
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Really?
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That is our ninth expression.
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And this small word can show surprise, interest or even doubt.
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Exactly.
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I met a famous actor yesterday.
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Really?
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Your voice shows that you are interested and want to hear more
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or Victoria says I only bought one thing I say Really?
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And suddenly the word contains a complete investigation.
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Mmm, Detective Slava has arrived.
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But yes, intonation changes the meaning, so listen and copy the feeling, not only the word.
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Let's quickly practice.
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How's it going?
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Not bad.
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Let's meet it too.
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Sounds good.
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Sorry I'm late.
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No worries.
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Brilliant.
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And now you can already react more naturally.
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Next, we'll use everyday phrases for plans, invitations, and those dangerous words I'll let you know.
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Victoria, I have found a completely free Saturday afternoon in my calendar.
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Would you like to try something different with me?
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Different?
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Hmm, that sounds slightly dangerous.
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Does it involve a spreadsheet, an early alarm, or carrying camera equipment?
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Possibly all three.
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But first, here is a useful question.
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Are you up for it?
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Are you up for it means would you like to do it or are you willing to join?
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You might say, we're going bowling tonight.
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Are you up for it?
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It is informal, friendly, and very common.
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And I might answer, I'm free, which means I have no other arrangement at that time.
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So, I'm free does not mean nobody has put me in prison.
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Not in this conversation.
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Are you free after work simply asks whether you are available.
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But sometimes you cannot accept an invitation, so you can say, Sorry, I've got plans.
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Notice the natural British form, I've got plans.
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It means something is already arranged, although you do not need to explain everything.
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Excellent.
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It sounds much better than giving a 15 -minute report about my dentist, shopping list, and washing machine.
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Exactly.
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A polite next phrase is maybe another time.
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It shows that you cannot come now, but you may accept a future invitation.
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For example, would you like to have dinner tonight?
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I've got plans, but maybe another time.
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Good.
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Now, what if you are interested, but you cannot give an answer yet?
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Then I can say, I'll let you know.
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It means I will give you the answer later.
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Yes, but please actually give the answer later.
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Some people say it disappear for three weeks and return with no information.
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Ah, perhaps they're still checking their very complicated Saturday calendar.
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Perhaps.
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Now, imagine we agree to meet at 10, have breakfast, and then visit a museum.
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Sounds like a plan.
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This means the suggestion seems good and we agree about what to do.
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It's close to sounds good from earlier, but sounds like a plan often responds to a more complete arrangement.
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Listen to the difference.
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Coffee at three?
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Sounds good.
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Coffee, then shopping, than the cinema?
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Sounds like a plan.
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Three activities?
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For Slava, that's not a plan.
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That's a major international operation.
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Good organization is not a crime.
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And coffee reminds me of another natural invitation.
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Let's grab a coffee.
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Grab usually means take something quickly with your hand, but here it means go and have something in a casual way.
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We can also say, let's grab some lunch, or do you want to grab a bite?
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Does it always mean everything must be quick?
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Do I have exactly four minutes to drink my coffee?
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No. The invitation sounds casual, but the coffee can last longer, especially if Victoria finds a comfortable cafe.
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Fair enough.
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If we arrange something enjoyable, I may say, I'm looking forward to it.
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This means you feel happy and excited about something in the future.
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We use to followed by a noun or an ing form.
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For example, I'm looking forward to the weekend or I'm looking forward to seeing you.
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Not I'm looking forward to see you.
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No, say looking forward to seeing you.
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That small grammar point will make your English sound much more natural.
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And what can we say when we have a plan but we are not certain what the result will be?
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We'll see how it goes.
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It means we will try something and decide what to do after we see the result.
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Let's walk for an hour and then we'll see how it goes.
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Perhaps we will continue, perhaps we will stop.
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With you, we will continue you.
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Your relaxing one -hour walk normally becomes an expedition with emergency snacks.
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Quick listening challenge.
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Your friend invites you out, but you must check your work schedule first.
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What can you say?
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Here is your moment to answer.
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You could say, I'll let you know.
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Good.
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Now the arrangement is confirmed and you feel excited about it which phrase fits?
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I'm looking forward to it.
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Excellent.
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These phrases help you accept, refuse, delay, or confirm an invitation without sounding unnatural.
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Of course, even the best arrangement can change when somebody has too much work, loses track of time, or arrives late.
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Oh, yes.
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And that's when everyday English becomes especially useful because life rarely follows Slava's beautiful spreadsheet.
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My spreadsheet is completely innocent, Victoria.
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The real problem is that people do not always respect my carefully organised minutes.
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Your carefully organised minutes.
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All right, imagine you have 10 minutes to get to work but you are still at home.
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Then I say, I'm in a hurry.
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It means I need to do something or go somewhere very quickly.
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Exactly.
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You might say, sorry, I can't talk now.
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I'm in a hurry.
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It explains why you cannot stop.
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Is that the same as saying, I'm running late?
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Not exactly.
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I'm in a hurry means you are moving quickly, while I'm running late means you are behind schedule.
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So, I can be in a hurry without running late because I want to arrive 20 minutes early.
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Yes, and that sounds exactly like you.
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Most people start hurrying after they are already late.
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A useful message is, sorry, I'm running late.
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I'll be there in 10 minutes.
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But please be honest.
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Do not say 10 minutes when you are still in the shower and cannot find your socks.
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Fair enough.
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Now suppose I am writing that message and you ask me another question.
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You can say, give me a second.
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It means please wait for a short time.
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It does not literally mean one second.
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Really?
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I've been measuring exactly one second and becoming disappointed with everyone.
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Ha!
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Stop measuring!
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Give me a second, give me a minute and just a moment can all mean a short wait.
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We also hear hold on a minute.
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How is that different?
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It is very similar but hold on can also interrupt someone because you are surprised or need to check something.
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For example, hold on a minute, did you say the tickets cost £200?
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Exactly.
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Your voice says, stop, I need to understand this before my bank account becomes frightened.
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Now imagine somebody calls while I am already dealing with an important task.
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What can I say?
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You can say, I'm tied up at the moment.
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It means you are busy and cannot give them your attention.
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Tied up?
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That sounds as if somebody has put rope around me.
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It can literally mean that.
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But in everyday work conversations, it usually just means very busy.
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Can you help me now?
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Sorry, I'm tied up.
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Can I call you later?
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Good.
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When the amount of work feels extremely large, another strong phrase is, I'm swamped.
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The swamp is a very wet area of land.
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Am I standing in water with my emails?
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Not literally, although it may feel like that.
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I'm swamped means you have far too much work to do.
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And what about, I've got a lot on?
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That sounds very British.
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It is common in Britain.
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It means you have many responsibilities, arrangements or tasks in your life at the moment.
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I can't meet this week.
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I've got a lot on.
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It sounds busy, but perhaps less dramatic then.
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I'm swamped.
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Exactly.
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I've got a lot on is busy.
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I'm swamped is help me, the emails are now above my head.
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After all that work, there comes a beautiful moment when someone says, let's call it a day.
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This means let's stop working for today.
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It does not mean we are trying to choose a name for the day.
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I was going to call today Kevin, but fine, we can simply go home.
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Poor Kevin.
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Before we finish, we may also say, I need a break.
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A break is a short period when you stop working or studying so that you can rest.
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Try this mini -challenge.
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You have six urgent tasks, three phone calls and 20 unanswered emails.
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Which phrase fits best?
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I'm swamped.
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And if I only cannot speak because I'm doing something important right now… I'm tied up at the moment.
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Excellent.
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Similar situation but a slightly different meaning.
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Which phrase best describes your week?
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I'm swamped, I've got a lot on, or perhaps I need a break?
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Tell us in the comments.
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And be honest.
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If you're watching us instead of answering 20 emails, your break has officially begun.
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Hmm, once people finally stop working, another urgent question often appears – what are we going to eat?
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Ah, now that's a subject worth making time for, especially when coffee, snacks and the bill are all involved.
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Before we discuss who is paying, I need to solve the most serious problem first – I'm starving.
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Starving? you had an emergency snack not long ago.
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Are you genuinely starving or are you being slightly dramatic?
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Slightly dramatic, perhaps.
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In everyday conversation, I'm starving usually means I'm extremely hungry.
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Exactly.
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But remember that starving can also have a serious literal meaning when somebody has dangerously little food.
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So, I can say it casually when I really want lunch, but I should understand that the literal meaning is much stronger.
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Right.
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If you are only a little hungry, a very British phrase is, I'm a bit peckish.
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Peckish?
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Do I need to eat like a small bird now?
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No. I'm a bit peckish simply means you would like a small meal or snack.
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Listen to the difference.
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I could eat a large dinner.
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I'm starving.
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I only want a sandwich.
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I'm a bit peckish.
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Good.
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When we are choosing food, I might ask you, what do you fancy?
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Wait, are you asking me about a person I find attractive?
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No. Context is important.
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In a restaurant, what do you fancy means, what would you like to eat or drink?
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We can say, what do you fancy for dinner?
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Or, do you fancy a coffee?
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Exactly.
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Fancy is very common in British English when we talk about wanting something or feeling interested in doing something.
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Curious.
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Suppose you suggest a very unusual dish, but I do not want to sound rude.
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What can I say?
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Try, it's not really my thing.
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This politely means that you do not particularly like or enjoy something.
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Would you like some extremely spicy soup?
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Thanks, but spicy food isn't really my thing.
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Perfect.
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You can use it beyond food, too.
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Camping isn't really my thing, or reality television isn't really my thing.
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But when I taste something wonderful, I can say, that's delicious.
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Yes, delicious means the food tastes extremely good.
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Your voice can make the compliment sound warmer and more genuine.
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This cake is delicious!
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A useful sentence, although it may cause somebody to bring me a second piece.
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And after that second piece, you may need our next phrase, I'm full.
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My glass can be full, my bag can be full, and now I can be full too.
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Yes.
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When a person says, I'm full, it means they have eaten enough and do not want more food.
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So, no dessert for me, thank you.
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I'm full.
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That is clear, polite and probably very responsible.
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Probably.
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You do not sound completely convinced.
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Anyway, the meal is finished and the bill arrives.
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I look confident and say, It's on me.
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This means I will pay for everyone.
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Very generous.
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Can we record that sentence separately and play it every time we enter a restaurant?
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Hmm, this is an English lesson, not legally binding financial evidence.
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Fair enough.
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Another practical option is let's split the bill.
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This means each person pays part of the total.
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Sometimes people pay equal amounts and sometimes they pay only for what they ordered.
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If you want to be clear, ask, shall we split it equally or pay for our own food?
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Excellent.
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Now imagine we have finished our drinks and someone asks, same again?
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Same again means would you like another of the same drink?
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You often hear it in cafes, pubs and restaurants.
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Another coffee?
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Same again, please.
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Short, natural and dangerous after the third cup.
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Quick challenge.
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You want only a small snack.
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Are you starving or are you a bit peckish?
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I'm a bit peckish.
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Now your friend offers to pay for the whole meal.
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What can your friend say?
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It's on me.
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Well done.
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And if everyone should pay a share, say, let's split the bill.
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Excellent.
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If these everyday phrases are useful, give the video a like.
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It helps more English learners discover our walks and practice with us.
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And it costs less than paying the bill, so even Slava's spreadsheet will approve.
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Food can change your mood very quickly, but sometimes tiredness, disappointment or a bad day requires a completely different kind of language.
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Exactly.
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Because saying only I'm sad or I'm happy cannot express every feeling that real life brings us.
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After a long day at work and cycling home, I do not simply feel tired.
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I'm exhausted.
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I'm exhausted means you are extremely tired and have almost no energy left.
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It is much stronger than I'm tired.
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So, I'm tired means I would enjoy the sofa,
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but I'm exhausted means the sofa has become my final destination.
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Exactly.
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You can be physically exhausted after exercise, or mentally exhausted after a difficult day.
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But what if I feel slightly ill, with low energy, perhaps a sore throat or a headache?
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Then you can say, I'm feeling under the weather.
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It's a gentle, informal way to say you feel unwell.
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Under the weather?
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Aren't we all under the weather?
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The clouds are normally above us.
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Literally, yes.
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But the expression has nothing to do with today's rain.
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It simply means you are not feeling well.
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For example, I won't come to work today.
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I'm feeling a bit under the weather.
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Now imagine something has annoyed you for a long time and you have finally had enough.
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I can say, I'm fed up.
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It means I am unhappy or annoyed because a problem has continued for too long.
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Yes, and we often use with, I'm fed up with this noise, or I'm fed up with waiting.
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Can I say, I'm fed up with my alarm clock, even though I was the person who set it?
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Of course, but the alarm clock may feel that your complaint is slightly unfair.
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Sometimes the bad news belongs to another person.
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What can I say to show kind disappointment?
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Say, what a shame.
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It means you feel sorry that something unfortunate or disappointing has happened.
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Our picnic was cancelled.
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Oh, what a shame.
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It sounds warmer than simply saying OK.
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Much warmer.
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OK can make you sound as if the picnic and everyone attending have disappeared from your heart.
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Let's move to good news.
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You tell me that you passed an important English exam.
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You can react with, that's brilliant.
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It means the news is excellent, impressive, or very exciting.
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I got the job.
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That's brilliant.
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The energy in your voice shows that you genuinely care.
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But some news is so surprising that you almost cannot believe it.
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Then what?
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You've got to be kidding me.
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It means surely that cannot be true.
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Or are you joking?
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It can react to something wonderful or something terrible, so your tone and the situation are very important.
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We've won free tickets.
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You've got to be kidding me.
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That sounds delighted and surprised.
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But the train is cancelled again.
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You've got… to be kidding me.
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That sounds shocked and frustrated.
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Now suppose I lose my phone, search everywhere, and finally find it safely inside my bag.
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You can say, I'm relieved.
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Relief is the good feeling you get when a worry or danger has ended.
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There it is.
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I'm so relieved.
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Although I may not admit that Victoria told me to check the bag first.
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Naturally.
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If someone asks generally about your life, a calm answer is, I can't complain.
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Does that mean everything is perfect and I am legally forbidden to complain?
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No. It usually means life is fairly good, or at least there is nothing seriously wrong.
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How are things?
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Not bad.
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I can't complain.
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That sounds relaxed, positive and natural.
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Finally, imagine your friend worked hard and achieved something important.
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How can you warmly share their happiness?
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I'm really pleased for you.
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It means their good news makes you genuinely happy too.
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It's warmer and more personal than good for you, which can sometimes sound distant or sarcastic with the wrong tone.
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Quick challenge.
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Your friend's flight arrived safely after a long delay which feeling might you express?
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I'm relieved.
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And if the same friend then tells you they received a promotion?
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That's brilliant.
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I'm really pleased for you.
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Two natural reactions working perfectly together.
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Excellent.
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You can now express tiredness, illness, frustration, sympathy, surprise, relief and genuine happiness with much more colour.
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Of course, expressing any feeling becomes difficult when somebody speaks quickly and I cannot understand what they have just said.
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That is not the moment to smile silently and hope for a miracle.
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You need a few phrases that can rescue the conversation.
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Alright.
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Imagine somebody speaks very quickly.
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I hear only three mysterious sounds, but I smile and nod politely.
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Dangerous.
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You may accidentally agree to help them move house on Sunday morning.
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A better response is, sorry, I didn't catch that.
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It means I did not hear or understand what was said.
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Exactly.
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Catch does not mean physically catching a ball here.
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It means successfully hearing and understanding the words.
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So I can say, sorry, I didn't catch the last part.
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That tells the speaker exactly what I missed.
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Yes, and you can follow it with, could you say that again, please?
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This is a polite request for repetition.
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Adding please makes it sound especially friendly.
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Much better than shouting what five times while moving your face closer and closer.
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But sometimes I hear every word clearly and still do not understand the idea.
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Then ask, what do you mean?
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You are asking the person to explain their meaning more clearly.
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For example, this plan might be risky.
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What do you mean?
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Then the other person can give more detail.
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Tone matters here, too.
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A calm voice sounds curious, but an angry voice can make the same question sound challenging.
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Now I understand the question, but my brain needs a few seconds to prepare an answer.
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Simply say, let me think.
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It gives you a little time and prevents an uncomfortable silence.
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Where should we go on holiday?
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Let me think.
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Meanwhile, an emergency meeting begins inside my head.
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With several charts, naturally.
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For a difficult or sensitive answer, try, how should I put this?
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Does it mean I know the answer, but I am choosing the best words?
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Exactly.
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How should I put this?
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Your idea is interesting, but it may cost far too much.
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Ah, a polite warning before the bad news arrives wearing a nice jacket.
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Now answer this.
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Is studying English in the morning better than studying at night?
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It depends.
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The answer changes according to the person, the situation or other conditions.
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Good.
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You can add useful detail, like, it depends on your schedule, or it depends on when you have more energy.
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And if I genuinely do not know the answer, I can say, I'm not sure.
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Yes, it sounds softer and more natural than a very direct I don't know, especially when you know something but are not completely certain.
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Will it rain at fall?
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I'm not sure.
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In Britain, that sentence is useful in every season.
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Absolutely.
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Another useful response is, that's a good question.
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Is it always a compliment or sometimes a secret way to create thinking time?
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Both.
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It shows that the question is interesting and it gives your brain a moment to find an answer.
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Why do British people say not bad when things are good?
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That's a good question.
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Suppose a customer asks whether an item is available and you can find the answer immediately.
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I can say let me check.
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It means I will look for the information now exactly let me check the price let me check my diary
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or let me check with my manager but what
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if the problem needs more time more information
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and perhaps a proper investigation then say I'll look into it it means you will examine the situation
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and try to find an answer or solution so let me check is usually immediate,
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while I'll look into it suggests deeper work that may take longer.
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Exactly.
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That difference will help you sound clearer and avoid promising an instant answer when one is impossible.
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Mini -challenge.
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You heard the words, but the meaning is unclear.
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Which question should you ask?
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What do you mean?
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Now you need two seconds before answering a difficult question.
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Let me think, and if I need to investigate a complicated problem, I'll look into it.
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Excellent.
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Never feel embarrassed to use these phrases.
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Confident speakers also ask people to explain.
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Subscribe if you want to keep building practical English with us, one real conversation at a time.
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Yes, because smiling silently is friendly, but it cannot solve every communication problem.
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Once you can keep a conversation moving, you may notice that British people use some surprisingly short expressions all the time.
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And a few of them sound completely different from the careful English many learners first meet in a classroom.
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Here is a perfect example.
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I'm just popping out.
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No popcorn, no balloons, and hopefully no sudden explosion.
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Correct.
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I'm just popping out means you are leaving for a short time and expect to return soon.
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I'm just popping out to the shop.
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Do you need anything?
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That sounds much more natural in Britain than a long, formal announcement.
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Unless Slava says it while holding a camera bag.
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Then popping out may mean several hours.
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Hmm.
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Hmm.
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Artistic work cannot always follow a small clock.
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Another short phrase is, I'm off.
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Are you switched off like a lamp, or has the milk gone bad?
527
Neither.
528
When a person says, I'm off, it usually means they are leaving now.
529
For example, right, I'm off.
530
See you tomorrow.
531
It is informal and extremely common.
532
Someone may answer, cheers, see ya.
533
The word cheers has several useful jobs in British English.
534
It can mean thank you, a friendly goodbye, or something people say before drinking together.
535
In a formal situation, thank you may be safer.
536
So, one small word can thank you, say goodbye, and begin a drink.
537
Very efficient.
538
Exactly.
539
At a shop, you might take your receipt and say cheers.
540
It simply means thanks.
541
Here is another expression that sometimes worries learners.
542
You alright?
543
In Britain, you alright is often just a casual greeting, similar to how are you or how's it going.
544
A short answer is completely normal.
545
So the person is not necessarily studying my face and asking whether I need medical help.
546
Usually not.
547
You can simply answer, yeah, good, thanks.
548
You?
549
You do not need to explain your complete health history.
550
Now, let's add a phrase for opinions, I reckon.
551
It's an informal way to say, I think.
552
I reckon it'll rain later, or I reckon this is the best option.
553
It sounds relaxed and conversational.
554
Can I use it when I dislike an idea too?
555
Certainly.
556
I reckon we should choose something else.
557
And that leads nicely to, it's not really my cup of tea.
558
What if I prefer coffee?
559
Is this now a serious national disagreement?
560
No. It's not my cup of tea means something does not suit your taste or interest.
561
It's similar to it's not really my thing.
562
For example, horror films aren't really my cup of tea.
563
Suppose the cinema ticket costs 50 pounds.
564
What might you say about that price?
565
That's a bit much.
566
It means something seems excessive, unreasonable, or more than you expected.
567
Yes, it can describe a price, an amount, or even somebody's behavior, but your tone helps show what you mean.
568
50 pounds for one ticket?
569
That's a bit much.
570
50 spreadsheets for one afternoon?
571
Apparently also a bit much.
572
Definitely.
573
After seeing that price, you may say, I can't be bothered.
574
This means I do not have the desire or energy to make the effort, correct?
575
Exactly.
576
I can't be bothered to cook tonight.
577
Be careful, because it can sometimes sound negative or lazy.
578
In that case, Victoria may give me some encouragement and say, Give it a go.
579
Give it a go means try it.
580
You use it when someone feels uncertain or nervous about doing something.
581
I've never spoken English with a stranger.
582
Give it a go.
583
You may enjoy it.
584
And if the person is still worried, say, It'll be fine.
585
This offers calm reassurance that things will probably be all right.
586
Probably.
587
That small word does not sound like a complete legal guarantee.
588
It's encouragement, not an insurance contract.
589
Don't worry.
590
It'll be fine.
591
Mini challenge.
592
Your colleague is leaving work now.
593
Which short phrase might they use?
594
I'm off.
595
And if they're going out briefly but plan to return soon?
596
I'm just popping out.
597
Now I want to encourage a friend to try something new.
598
Give it a go.
599
Brilliant.
600
These little expressions can make your British English sound warmer, shorter, and much more natural.
601
Yet natural conversation needs more than individual expressions.
602
It also needs small words that connect thoughts, change direction, and introduce an honest opinion.
603
Exactly.
604
Those quiet little helpers may not look impressive, but they can transform separate sentences into one smooth conversation.
605
Then I shall begin honestly.
606
To be honest, I never realized that such small expressions could do so much work.
607
To be honest introduces your true opinion or feeling, especially when it may be different from what someone expects.
608
To be honest, I'd rather stay at home tonight.
609
It makes the opinion sound open and personal.
610
But use it gently.
611
If you say, to be honest, your cooking is terrible, the phrase will not protect you.
612
Hmm, so it introduces honesty, but it does not provide emergency protection afterwards.
613
Exactly.
614
Our next word is actually, which often adds surprising information or corrects an idea.
615
I thought the shop closed at six.
616
Actually, it stays open until eight.
617
Good, but too many corrections beginning with actually can sound annoying.
618
By the way, by the way is our next phrase.
619
Very smooth.
620
By the way introduces a new subject or extra information that is not the main topic.
621
By the way, did you remember to book the tickets?
622
And how do we return to the original subject after Slava has taken us into a 20 -minute discussion about tickets?
623
We say anyway and move back.
624
Anyway, what were we talking about?
625
Exactly.
626
Anyway can return to the main point and a side topic, or help move the conversation forwards.
627
Now imagine I need to explain why a plan is difficult, but I want to introduce the problem carefully.
628
Use the thing is.
629
It tells the listener that an important explanation, reason, or difficulty is coming.
630
I'd love to come the thing is I have to work that evening.
631
That sounds natural and gentle.
632
It is better than disappearing and sending an apology three weeks later.
633
Sometimes I have information, but I cannot promise that it is 100 % correct.
634
Then say, as far as I know.
635
It means your answer is based on the information you currently have.
636
As far as I know, the meeting starts at ten.
637
If new information appears, my sentence can still survive.
638
Yes, although your spreadsheet may demand a full public apology.
639
After considering every detail, we can introduce our final opinion with at the end of the day.
640
It means after everything has been considered, this is the most important fact or conclusion.
641
At the end of the day, learning English takes regular practice.
642
Not magic, not one perfect app, but practice.
643
And who decides how to practice?
644
Well, it's up to you.
645
It's up to you means the choice or responsibility belongs to the other person.
646
We can study now or after dinner.
647
It's up to you.
648
It gives someone the freedom to decide.
649
What if I am worrying about a future problem that may never happen?
650
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
651
It means we will deal with the problem if and when it happens.
652
Very sensible.
653
There is no need to build an emergency spreadsheet for a bridge we have not reached.
654
Exactly.
655
And when a discussion has continued long enough, say, let's leave it there.
656
Does that mean we agree or only that we are choosing to stop discussing it?
657
Usually the second.
658
We clearly have different opinions, so let's leave it there.
659
It can sound friendly or firm depending on your voice.
660
Final challenge.
661
You want to add unrelated information.
662
Which phrase can open the new subject?
663
By the way, now you want to return to the main conversation.
664
Anyway, and if I only know something according to my present information… As far as I know.
665
Excellent.
666
Those small phrases make your ideas easier to follow and your speech more natural.
667
Today we practiced 75 expressions for greetings, plans, busy days, food, feelings,
668
difficult conversations and natural British English.
669
Do not try to memorize everything at once.
670
Choose five phrases, say them aloud, and use each one in your own sentence.
671
Which phrase will you use first in a real conversation?
672
Write that exact phrase in the comments below.
673
And no, I can't be bothered is not the answer we are hoping to see, although it would be quite funny.
674
If you enjoyed practising with us, subscribe to Cambridge English Walking Podcast and join our next Slow British English Conversation.
675
Give the video a like, too, and share it with a friend who understands English but sometimes cannot find the right words.
676
To be honest, Victoria, after 75 phrases, I think we've earned a coffee and perhaps one emergency snack.
677
Sounds like a plan.
678
Thank you for walking and learning with us.
679
Keep practicing, keep speaking, and we'll see you in the next video.
📺 Mesmo canal
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Você está praticando inglês com "Learn 75 English Phrases You'll Actually Use in Real Life | Slow English (A2-B1)" usando a técnica de Shadowing.
O que é a Técnica de Shadowing?
Shadowing é uma técnica de aprendizado de idiomas com base científica, originalmente desenvolvida para o treinamento de intérpretes profissionais. O método é simples, mas poderoso: você ouve áudio em inglês nativo e repete imediatamente em voz alta — como uma sombra seguindo o falante com 1-2 segundos de atraso. Pesquisas mostram melhora significativa na precisão da pronúncia, entonação, ritmo, sons conectados, compreensão auditiva e fluência na fala.