Language Functions in
English and Vocabulary
Agreeing in English
In English conversations, people often say that they agree or disagree with each other. There are many ways of agreeing or disagreeing and the one you use depends on how strongly you agree or disagree. Here's a list of some common expressions.
Agreeing in English
"I think you're right." "I agree with you."
Strong agreement
"I couldn't agree with you more." "You're absolutely right."
"I agree entirely." "I totally agree."
Partly agreeing
"I agree with you up to a point, but…" "That's quite true, but…"
"I agree with you in principle, but…"
Disagreeing
"(I'm afraid) I don't agree." "(I'm afraid) I disagree."
"(I'm afraid) I can't agree with you." "(I'm afraid) I don't share your opinion."
Note
When you disagree with someone in English, you can often sound more polite by using a phrase such as "I'm afraid…"
Disagreeing strongly
"I don't agree at all." "I totally disagree."
"I couldn't agree with you less."
Complaining in English
When complaining in English, it helps to be polite. This page will help you with this important English speaking skill.
In a shop
You're in a shop and the assistant gives you the wrong change.
"Excuse me, I think you've given me the wrong change", or "Sorry, I think this change is wrong. I gave you $20, not $10."
In a hotel
"Excuse me, but there's a problem with the heating in my room."
"Sorry to bother you, but I think there's something wrong with the air-conditioning." "I'm afraid I have to make a complaint. Some money has gone missing from my hotel room."
When people apologise, they normally say "sorry" and offer to put the situation right. "Excuse me, but there's a problem with the heating."
"I'm sorry - I'll get someone to check it for you." or "Sorry to hear that - I'll send someone up."
Speaking tip
Although you may find it strange to use the word sorry when you complain, English speakers consider it polite. It will help you get what you want!
English greetings
First impressions are important, so here's a guide to using the right expression.
Greetings
Two friends meeting
Friends often say "Hi" to each other. Then they often ask a general question, such as "How are you?" or "How are things?" or "How's life?"
The reply to this question is normally positive. "Fine thanks, and you?"
"Fine thanks, what about yourself?" "Not bad." Or "Can't complain."
Greeting people you don't know
You can use "Hello" with people you don't know, but a more formal greeting is "Good morning / afternoon / evening."
The other person normally replies with the same greeting as you have used and then makes polite conversation, such as "How was your trip?" or "Did you find our office easily?"
Introducing yourself
At an informal party
"Hello, I'm Maria." Or "Hello, my name's Maria." The reply could be:
"Hi, I'm Sarah." Or "Hello Maria, I'm Sarah." Or "Nice to meet you, I'm Sarah."
At work-related events
"I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Maria, from english@home." Or, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Maria from english@home." The reply could be:
"Nice to meet you. I'm Peter Mitchell, from Mitchell Creations." "Pleased to meet you. I'm Peter Mitchell, from Mitchell Creations." "How do you do? I'm Peter Mitchell from Mitchell Creations."
Introducing other people
Introducing a friend to a work colleague
"Sarah, have you met my colleague John?" "Sarah, I'd like you to meet my colleague John." Sarah says:
"Pleased to meet you, John." Or "Nice to meet you, John." John could say:
"Nice to meet you too, Sarah." Or "Hello, Sarah."
Introducing clients
Mr Mitchell could then say:
"How do you do?" and Henry Lewis also says "How do you do?" Or Mr Mitchell could say:
"Pleased to meet you." Or "Good to meet you."
Speaking Tip
"How do you do?" is quite formal for British English speakers and the reply to this question is to repeat the phrase, "How do you do?" (as strange as that may sound!)
At a more informal party
When you introduce two of your friends to each other, you can simply say, "John, this is Sarah."
Cultural considerations
At work, one person may have higher status - your boss, or a client, for example. It's polite to address them as Mr / Ms until the situation becomes more informal.
If someone says, "Please call me (Henry)", you know you can use first names. If someone uses your first name, you can use their first name too.
People in European and English-speaking cultures often shake hands when they meet someone for the first time.
* Don't forget to smile! :-)
Introducing people
What's your name? Who are you? My name is ... I am ...
My friends call me ... You can call me ...
Haven't we met (before)? Yes, I think we have. No, I don't think we have. I think we've already met. I don't think we've met (before). This is ...
Have you met ...? Yes, I have. No, I haven't. Yes, I think I have. No, I don't think I have. Hello, ... (name)
Nice to meet you. (informal) Pleased to meet you.
How do you do? (formal) Nice to see you.
Nice to see you again.
Making appointments
Useful phrases for making and changing appointments.
Asking to meet
"Are you available on the 17th?" "Can we meet on the 16th?" "How does the 3rd sound to you?" "Are you free next week?"
"Would Friday suit you?"
"Is next Tuesday convenient for you?" "What about sometime next week?"
Agreeing on a date
"Yes, Thursday is fine." "Thursday suits me."
"Thursday would be perfect."
Suggesting a different date
"I'm afraid I can't on the 3rd. What about the 6th?"
"Ah, Wednesday is going to be a little difficult. I'd much prefer Friday, if that's alright with you."
"I really don't think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on the 19th?"
Setting a time
"What sort of time would suit you?" "Is 3pm a good time for you?"
"If possible, I'd like to meet in the morning." "How does 2pm sound to you?"
Changing the arrangement
"You know we were going to meet next Friday? Well, I'm very sorry, but something urgent has come up."
"I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to meet you after all. Can we fix another time?" "Something has just cropped up and I won't be able to meet you this afternoon. Can we make another time?"
Making generalisations
English speakers often prefer to make generalisations, rather than saying something is a fact. When you make generalisations, you will sound less direct and sure of yourself and therefore more open to other people's suggestions and ideas. People will think you're friendly!
To show that something is generally true
tend to
"I tend to agree with you."
(I agree with most of what you say.) "I tend to go to bed early in winter." (I normally go to bed early in winter.)
"The English have a tendency to drink tea, not coffee."
Note: have a tendency to is used more in written than in spoken English.
To show how common something is
Generally speaking
"Generally speaking, more men than women use the internet."
In most cases
"In most cases, wars are caused by land disputes."
In some cases
"In some cases, English beaches are unsafe for swimming."
In a large number of cases
"In a large number of cases, obesity is caused by over-eating."
Mostly, often, sometimes
(These words go before the main verb, or after the verb to be) "We are mostly concerned with costs."
"They mostly go to the cinema at weekends." "Eating chocolate sometimes causes migraines." "He is sometimes difficult to work with."
"English people often complain about the weather."
Speaking Tip
Although you may find it strange to avoid saying exactly what you mean, being able to make generalisations is a speaking skill that will make you sound much more like a native English speaker.
Making invitations
"What are you doing next Saturday? We're having some people over for a meal. Would you like to come?"
"Are you free next Thursday?"
"Are you doing anything next weekend?"
"Would you be interested in coming to the cinema with me tonight?" "How do you fancy going out for a meal at the weekend?"
Accepting
"Would you like to…"
"I'd love to, thanks."
"That's very kind of you, thanks." "That sounds lovely, thanks."
Do you fancy coming to the cinema tonight?
"What a great idea, thanks."
Declining
"Would you like to come over for dinner on Saturday?"
"That's very kind of you, but actually I'm doing something else on Saturday." "Well, I'd love to, but I'm already going out to the cinema."
"I'm really sorry, but I've got something else on."
"I really don't think I can - I'm supposed to be doing something else."
Speaking Tip
It's important to be polite when you decline an invitation. We normally give a reason why we can't do something and either apologise, or use words like "actually" or "really".
English speakers make offers all the time in conversation. They say things like:
Can I… ? Shall I… ?
Would you like me to… ?
Using these common English phrases - and being able to accept and reject offers - will make you sound polite and helpful.
"Can I help you?"
"Shall I open the window for you?" "Would you like another coffee?"
"Would you like me to answer the phone?" "I'll do the photocopying, if you like."
Shall, can and will are followed by the verb without to.
Shall is more formal than can. Would you like… is followed either by a noun, or by the
verb with to.
Responding to offers
These English dialogues show you ways to accept or reject offers made to you. "Can I help you?"
"Yes please. I'd like to know what time the train leaves." "Can I help you?"
"No thanks, I'm just looking." (In a shop.) "Shall I open the window for you?"
"Yes please. That would be very kind of you." "Would you like another coffee?"
"No thanks." Or, "No thank you." "Would you like another coffee?"
"Would you like me to answer the phone?" "If you wouldn't mind." Or, "If you could."
(Don't answer "Yes, I would", as this sounds like you expect someone to do it for you.) "I'll do the photocopying, if you like."
"It's OK, I can do it." Or, "Don't worry, I'll do it. "Or, "Thank you, that would be great."
English speaking tip
With a little practice, you'll find it easy to use these English expressions. They'll help you sound both natural and confident.
Making predictions
When we want to say what we think will happen in the future in English, we can either use will followed by the verb without to, or going to followed by the verb.
"What do you think will happen next year?" "Next week is going to be very busy, I think." "There won't be a rise in house prices next year." "He isn't going to win the election."
Because we also use will to talk about intentions and strong decisions, we often use going
to to sound less emotional.
"He won't help us" can mean that he has decided not to help us. But "He isn't going to
help us" doesn't have this negative implication. It sounds more like a prediction and a
simple, non-emotional fact- perhaps he isn't able to help us.
Predictions based on what you know now
We can make predictions based on what we can see now. To do this, we use going to and the verb (not will).
For example:
"Watch out! You're going to hit that car in front."
Making requests
When you ask someone to do something for you, or ask if you can do something, it's important to sound polite. Here are some of the common ways that you can do this.
Asking someone to do something for you
"Could you open the door for me, please?"
"Would you mind opening the door for me, please?" "Can you open the door for me, please?'
Speaking tip: could and can are followed by the verb without to. Would you mind is
followed by the verb and -ing.
Asking if you can do something
"Can I use your computer, please?"
"Could I borrow some money from you, please?" "Do you mind if I turn up the heating?"
"Would you mind if I turned up the heating?"
Speaking tip: Could is more polite that can.
Do you mind if…" is followed by the verb in the present tense, but would you mind if… is followed by the verb in the past tense.
When you're using these two sentences, don't use please. It's already polite enough!
Speaking about hopes in English
There are a number of expressions you can use to show your hopes and preferences.
Hopes
I'm hoping for (noun) ("I'm hoping for a new cell phone.") I'm hoping to get… ("I'm hoping to get a new phone.")
I would like…
I really want… (Using "want" can be impolite unless you are talking to a close friend or family member.)
Something I've always wanted is…
I'd be delighted / over the moon if… ("I'd be delighted if you gave me a new watch.") What I'd like more than anything else is…
On my Christmas wish list is…
Preferences
I'd rather have (noun) ("I'd rather have tickets to the opera.") I'd rather you (simple past) ("I'd rather you saved your money.") I'd prefer (noun) ("I'd prefer some money for the new house.")
I'd prefer it if you (simple past) ("I'd prefer it if you gave some money to charity.") ….. would be more suitable / would be better
If I had a choice, I would go for…
If it's all the same to you, …. ("If it's all the same to you, I'd like some book tokens.")
Suggestions in English
The following English words and expressions are all used to make suggestions and give advice to people.
should
"You should try to practise English." "You shouldn't translate too much."
Why don't you
"Why don't you join an English club?"
ought to
If I were you, I'd…
"If I were you, I'd watch more television."
*All these expressions are followed by a verb, without to. For example: "He should visit the Eiffel Tower." (Not "he should to visit the Eiffel Tower.")
suggest and recommend
Either use a verb + ing
"I suggest visiting the Eiffel Tower." (We should all go.)
OR use that + a verb without to
"I suggest that you visit the Eiffel Tower." (I'm not going.)
OR use a noun
"I recommend the lasagne." (It's a very good dish to choose in this restaurant.)
advise
"I advise you to buy a good dictionary."
advice
Advice is an uncountable noun. This means that we can't say an advice. Instead, we say
some advice or a piece of advice.
"Let me give you some advice."
"She gave me a very useful piece of advice: to buy a good dictionary."
Speaking tip
Many people don't like getting advice if they haven't asked for it! To avoid giving the wrong impression, you can try some of these expressions:
"You could always…" "Have you considered…" "Perhaps we could…"
"Do you think it's a good idea to…"
There are many words and expressions for talking about fear.
Words
afraid: "Are you afraid of the dark?" frightened: "I’m frightened of spiders." scared: "He’s scared of making mistakes."
feel uneasy: "I felt a bit uneasy when I walked home in the dark." spooked: “My cats are easily spooked before a thunderstorm.” terrified: “She was absolutely terrified when she heard the noise.” petrified: “The building began to shake and we were all petrified.”
Expressions
a terrifying ordeal
send shivers down my spine
give me goosebumps (goosebumps are when you skin has little bumps on it)
make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up (dogs also do this when they are scared) scare the hell out of me
be scared shitless / shit scared (British slang - vulgar) be bricking it (British slang - vulgar)
frighten the life out of me shake with fear
jump out of my skin
Examples
One of the best horror films I have seen is “The Blair Witch Project”. It tells the story of
a terrifying ordeal in the woods of northern USA. Some of the scenes in the film sent shivers down my spine, especially the one when the students run out of the tent in the
middle of the night. When they go back, one of the guy’s rucksack has been emptied. When that same guy goes missing the next day, it gives you goosebumps.
There are some fabulous sound effects, especially the ones of the wind blowing and howling. When you hear the crying voices at the end of the film, it will make the hairs
on the back of your neck stand up.
Perhaps the scariest part of the film is at the end, when you see one of the surviving students literally shake with fear in the corner of the basement. It certainly frightened
the life out of the girl when she saw him, and I jumped out of my skin at the end when
the camera stopped filming. The film scared the hell out of me for weeks afterwards, and I’m ashamed to say that I wouldn’t go into an empty room in the house unless there was someone there with me.
There's a whole range of English expressions you can use to talk about how much you like or dislike something.
If you love something
"I love eating ice-cream." "I adore sun-bathing."
If you like something a lot
"She's fond of chocolate." "I like swimming very much."
If you like something
"He quite likes going to the cinema." "I like cooking."
If you neither like nor dislike something
"I don't mind doing the housework."
If you don't like something
"She doesn't like cooking very much." "He's not very fond of doing the gardening." "I dislike wasting time."
If you really dislike something
"I don't like sport at all." "He can't stand his boss."
"She can't bear cooking in a dirty kitchen." "I hate crowded supermarkets."
"She loathes celery."
Things to remember…
Dislike is quite formal.
Fond of is normally used to talk about food or people.
The 'oa' in loathe rhymes with the 'oa' in boat.
Grammar Note
To talk about your general likes or dislikes, follow this pattern: like something or like
doing something.
Common mistake
Be careful where you put very much or a lot. These words should go after the thing that you like.
For example, "I like reading very much." NOT "I like very much reading."
Talking about probability in English
There are many ways of saying that something will probably or possibly happen.
Probable
bound to = certain: "They are bound to succeed!" sure to = certain: "He is sure to win the championship." likely to = probable: "We are likely to win the contract." definite = sure: "He's a definite frontrunner for the job!"
probable: "It's probable that we will be on holiday around then." likely: "An election is likely next year."
will definitely happen: "There will definitely be a storm later." will probably happen: "They will probably take on more staff."
Possible
may: "We may be able to help you."
might: "There might be a holiday next month - I'm not sure." could: "There could be a bug in the system."
… is possible: "Do you think he will resign?" "Yes, that's possible." … is unlikely: "It's unlikely that she will move."
will possibly: "She'll possibly tell us tomorrow."
probably won't: "They probably won't hear until next week." definitely won't: "I definitely won't go to the party."
… is highly unlikely: "It's highly unlikely that the company will expand." Note: Be careful of the word order.
"Definitely" and "probably" come after "will" (in positive sentences) and before "won't" in negative sentences.
Variations
You can add words to alter the strength of probability:
highly likely / unlikely (= very likely / unlikely)
quite likely / probable / possible (= more likely, probable or possible)
could possibly / probably
most definitely won't (= even more unlikely)
Talking about the weather
It's true! British people often start a conversation with strangers and friends by talking about the weather. As weather is a neutral topic of conversation, it's usually safe to use it to strike up a conversation - at the bus stop, in a shop, or with a neighbour over the garden fence.
Some examples of conversation starters
"Lovely day, isn't it!" "Bit nippy today."
"What strange weather we're having!"
"It doesn't look like it's going to stop raining today."
Attitude to weather
Although British people like to complain about bad weather, they generally put a brave face on it.
If someone complains about too much rain, you might hear: "Never mind - it's good for the garden."
If someone complains that it's too hot, you could hear: "At least my tomatoes will be happy."
If the conversation has been about general bad weather, perhaps someone will say: "Well, I've heard it's worse in the west. They've had terrible flooding."
Predicting the weather
We can make predictions about the weather, using a range of forms - not just the "will" or "going to" form:
"I think it'll clear up later."
"It's going to rain by the looks of it." "We're in for frost tonight."
"They're expecting snow in the north." "I hear that showers are coming our way."
Human attributes
We also attribute human features to the weather, almost as if the weather can decide what to do:
"The sun's trying to come out." "It's been trying to rain all morning." "It's finally decided to rain."
Understanding the forecast
Many British people are keen gardeners, and they keep a close eye on the weather forecast. Here are some of the weather features which can worry gardeners:
a hard frost
blizzard / galeforce conditions hailstones
prolonged rain blustery wind a drought
Here are some more temperate conditions which gardeners like: mild weather
sunny spells light drizzle
Talking about your family
English Vocabulary for talking about your family.
Your family tree
Your closest relatives are your parents: your mother and father; and your siblings (brothers or sisters). If your mother or father is not an only child, you also have aunts and / or uncles. An aunt is the sister of your mother or father, while an uncle is the brother of your mother or father. Your female child is called your daughter, and your male child is your son.
If your aunts or uncles have children, they are your first cousins. (In English, the word cousin is used, whether the cousin is female or male.) Your female cousin is your mother (or father's) niece, while a male cousin is the nephew of your mother and father.
In-laws
When you marry, your husband (or wife's) family become your in-laws. The mother of your spouse (husband or wife) is your mother-in-law and his or her father becomes your
father-in-law. The term in-law is also used to describe your relationship with the spouses
sister of your husband becomes your sister-in-law. If you are a woman, you become the
daughter-in-law of your husband's parents, and if you are a man, you become the son-in-law of your wife's parents. The same term son-in-law is used for all generations. The
husband of your aunt is still your mother's brother-in-law, for example.
Grandparents / grandchildren
The parents of your parents are your grandparents - grandmother and grandfather. You are their grandchildren - either a granddaughter or a grandson. If your
grandparent has a sister, she is your great-aunt. If your grandparent has a brother, he is your great-uncle. (And you are either his or her great-niece or great-nephew.)
The mother of your grandmother or grandfather is your great-grandmother. The father is your great-grandfather. If you go back another generation, the grandmother of your grandmother / grandfather is your great-great-grandmother. The grandfather of your grandparent becomes your great-great-grandfather.
Second families
If your mother or father remarries, you can acquire a new family and set of relatives. For example, if your father marries a second wife, she becomes your step-mother. Any children she already has become your step-sisters or step-brothers.
If your mother or father remarries and has children, they become your half-brothers or
half-sisters.
You might also hear people talking about their biological brother / sister etc, to mean a brother who is related by blood, rather than by marriage.
Types of family
nuclear family = mother, father and children: "The traditional British family unit is a
nuclear family."
single-parent / one-parent family = a family which only has one parent (because the
parents are divorced, or because one of the parents has died): "There are more and more single-parent families in the UK."
immediate family = your closest relatives: "Only immediate family members attended
the funeral."
extended family = your entire family: "The wedding invitations were sent to the entire
extended family."
close-knit family = a family where the members have close relationships with each
dysfunctional family = a family where the members have serious problems with each
other: "He comes from a rather dysfunctional family."
blood relative = a relative connected to you by "blood" rather than through marriage:
"She's not a blood relative, but we're still very close."
Expressions with family
family gathering = a meeting / celebration of family members: "There's a small family
gathering next week."
family resemblance = where members of the family look / act similar: "You can see a
distinct family resemblance between the father and the son."
to start a family = to start having children: "They want to wait a couple of years before
starting a family."
to run in the family = a characteristic that is common among family members:
"Baldness runs in his family."
to bring up / raise a family = to have and look after children: "It's difficult to raise a
family on one income."
a family car = a car big enough to transport a family: "The Volvo Estate is a popular
family car."
family-size = large quantity item: "We need to buy family-size packets of biscuits!" family-friendly = a policy that favours families: "This hotel is family-friendly."
family doctor = a doctor who looks after general medical needs: "There are a number of
good family doctors in this area."
family man = a man who prefers to spend his time with his family: "John is a family
man."
family values = traditional ideas about what a family should be: "Some political parties
often emphasise family values and the importance of marriage."
family name = surname: "What's your family name?"
Describing family relationships
Children often quarrel with each other, and these arguments - or squabbles - are often quickly resolved. In fact, sibling rivalry (the competition between brothers and sisters) is quite common.
More seriously, if arguments continue into adulthood, family feuds can develop where both sides can end up hating each other and even trying to hurt or destroy each other. A person who no longer speaks to a family member is estranged from his / her family. Often estrangement is voluntary. However, if parents decide they no longer want anything to do with their children, they cut them off (= break off communiation), or even
disinherit them. (Decide not to leave them anything when they die.)
Most people feel loyalty to their family, and will defend family members saying "He /
She's family". There's also a saying "Blood's thicker than water" which means that
your family ties are stronger than any other relationships.
Telling a story
A useful skill in English is to be able to tell a story or an anecdote. Anecdotes are short stories about something that happened to you or to someone you know.
How to start
Traditional stories often start with the phrase "Once upon a time". However, if you are going to tell your story after someone else has already spoken, you can say something like:
That reminds me!
Funny you should say that. Did I ever tell you about… Hearing your story reminds me of when…
Something similar happened to me….
How to tell your story
First of all, your story should be quite short. Try to keep it grammatically simple as well, so that it is easy to follow.
Make it easy for the listener to understand by using sequencing and linking words:
Sequencing words
These words show the chronological sequence of events. First of all, I (packed my suitcase)
Secondly, I …. (made sure I had all my documents) Previously (before that) ….. I changed some money. Then… I (called a taxi for the airport)
Later (on)… (when we were stuck in traffic, I realised…) But before al that… (I had double checked my reservation)
Finally… (I arrived at the wrong check-in desk at the wrong airport for a flight that didn't go until the next day)
Linking words
Use these words to link your ideas for the listener. Linking words can be used to show reason, result, contrasting information, additional information, and to summarise. I booked a flight because….
As a result, I was late…
Although I had a reservation, I hadn't checked the airport name.
I made sure I had an up-to-date passport and I also took along my driving licence. In short, I had made a complete mess of the holiday.
Tenses
We can use a variety of tenses to tell stories and anecdotes. Jokes are often in the present tense:
A man walks into a bar and orders a beer.
We also use the present tense to give a dramatic narrative effect:
The year is 1066. In medieval England people are worried that the king, Harold, is not strong enough to fight off a Norman invasion.
However, we generally use past forms to talk about past events. If you tell your story in chronological order, you can use the past simple:
I double checked my reservation. I packed my suitcase, and then I called a taxi.
Use the past continuous to describe activities in progress at the time of your story, or to describe the background.
The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. We were driving along the motorway quite steadily until we suddenly saw in front of us the warning lights to slow down. We were heading towards a huge tailback.
Sometimes, you might want to avoid telling your story as one chronological event after the other. You can use the past perfect (simple and continuous) to add more interest to your story by talking about events that happened before the events in your story: I double checked my reservation, which I had made three days previously.
I wanted to visit some friends who had been living in France for the last five years.
Vocabulary
Try to use a wide range of words to make your story more interesting. Remember that you can "exaggerate" when you tell a story, so instead of using words like "nice" or
"bad", experiment with more interesting words, such as "beautiful", "fabulous", "wonderful", "horrible", "awful" or "terrible".
Finally - remember that you are telling a story - not giving a lecture. Look at the people listening, and try to "involve" them in the story or anecdote. Keep eye contact, use the right intonation and try to make your face expressive. You might also want to try practising a few anecdotes in the mirror before "going live". Have fun!
Visiting the doctor
The first time you visit a new doctor, you should talk about your medical history - the illnesses you have had, any operations you have had and so on. Your doctor might want to give you a check-up.
A check-up will include monitoring your blood pressure, as high blood pressure is serious and can lead to life-threatening conditions. Your doctor will probably also take
your pulse to check that your heart rate is normal.
A doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to your breathing - particularly if you have a heart
or chest infection, or a condition such as asthma.
Of course, you can also visit the doctor for a huge range of other reasons. Children need to have their injections and if you are going abroad on holiday, you might also need to have injections against infectious diseases. In winter, you can also get a flu vaccine so that you won't get the flu.
If you need medication, a doctor will write you a prescription. You can get your
prescription filled at a chemist.
For more serious medical conditions, you can get a referral to a clinic or a hospital. You might need blood tests done, or you might need an X-ray, or you might need to see a
specialist.
Words that describe behaviour
The A-Z of English word and phrases that describe behaviour.
A
active = always doing something: "She's an active person and never wants to stay in." aggressive = being angry or threatening: "He's aggressive and starts arguments." ambitious = wanting to succeed: "He's ambitious and wants to lead the company."
argumentative = always arguing with people: "He won't accept what you say - he's
argumentative and loves to disagree!"
arrogant = thinking you are better than anyone else: "He always behaves as if nobody
else's opinion is important - "I find him very arrogant."
assertive = being confident, so people can't force you to do things you don't want to do:
"It's important to be assertive at work."
B
bad-tempered = in a bad mood: "What's got into him lately? He's so bad-tempered." headed = thinking you're very important or clever: "I've never met anyone so
big-headed!"
bossy = telling people what to do all the time: "He's so bossy - he never lets me do things
the way I want to do them."
C
careless = not taking care: "He's a careless driver - "I'm sure he'll have an accident." caring = wanting to help people: "My boss is caring and often asks me how things are
going."
catty = saying nasty or spiteful things about other people: "I know you don't like her, but
calling her names is a bit catty."
cautious = being careful, so that you avoid mistakes: "He's cautious about investing
money in the stock market."
charming = pleasant and likeable: "What a charming man!"
cheeky = being rude or disrespectful: "It was a bit cheeky of him to ask for more money." clever = intelligent: "She's a clever student and picks things up quickly."
conceited = thinking you're very clever, or better than others: "He's so conceited - he
thinks everyone should admire him."
conscientious = doing something carefully, because you want to do it well: "She's a
conscientious student and always does her homework."
considerate = thinking and caring about others: "My neighbour brought me flowers
coy = pretending to be shy so that you don't have to give information: "He's very coy
about his qualifications - maybe he doesn't have any."
creative = someone who can make or design things, or can think of solutions to a
problem: "She's creative and artistic."
curious = wanting to know things: "I'm curious to find out what you think of the
situation."
D
deceitful = trying to make people think something, so that you get what you want: "He
lied to get this job - he's so deceitful."
docile = quiet and submissive: "She's a docile child and always does what she's told." dogmatic = wanting others to accept your ideas without discussion: "He's a dogmatic
politician and always thinks he's right."
domineering = trying to control other people: "He's loud and domineering in the office -
it's difficult to get him to listen to us."
E
enthusiastic = having a lot of interest in something: "He's an enthusiastic supporter of
equal rights."
excitable = someone who easily gets excited: "He gets very excitable about politics - it's
one of his passions in life."
extroverted = outgoing and lively: "She's extroverted and loves going out with people."
F
faithful = being loyal to someone or something: "She's a faithful friend."
fickle = changing your mind and being unpredictable: "Politicians can be fickle when it
suits them!"
flaky = slightly unstable and unreliable: "She's a little flaky at times, but otherwise she's a
good worker."
full of himself = acting proud of yourself: "He was full of himself after he got the
promotion - it got annoying after a while."
fussy = only liking certain things: "She's fussy about what she wears."
G
good-natured = kind and thoughtful: "She's good-natured and always tries to help." grumpy = someone who tends to be in a bad mood: "He's always grumpy in the morning
and never says 'hello'."
H
happy-go-lucky = not worrying about what might happen in the future: "He's a bit
happy-go-lucky and doesn't think about the future."
I
impulsive = doing things without thinking first: "If he sees something he likes, he just
buys it - he can be so impulsive at times!"
inconsiderate = not considering other people or their feelings: "It was a little
inconsiderate of him not to give you a get-well card."
introverted = opposite of extroverted: "He was introverted as a teenager, but became
more confident as he got older."
inventive = able to think up new ideas: "As head of Marketing, he can often think of
inventive ways to keep his customers happy."
irritating = annoying others: "He can be very irritating to work with."
J
jokey = making jokes: "You're in a jokey mood today, but we've got work to do!" jolly = happy and cheerful: "It was the weekend and everyone was in a jolly mood."
K
kind = thoughtful and caring: "My neighbour is kind - she looked after my cat when I
was on holiday."
L
loud-mouthed = someone who talks a lot and often says offensive things: "Don't worry
loyal = someone who is faithful and stands by you: "His colleagues were loyal to him
when he was having problems with his boss."
M
manic = behaving in a slightly crazy way: "We're a bit manic at the moment - we're
rushing to finish the work before our deadline."
manipulative = trying to get people to do what you want, by influencing or deceiving
them: "She's very manipulative when she wants something."
moody = having unpredictable moods: "Some people think he's moody - you never know
if he's happy or grumpy."
N
nervous = uncomfortable with a situation: "I'm always nervous before an exam."
O
fashioned = behaving or thinking in a way that isn't modern: "He's a bit
old-fashioned and thinks women shouldn't work."
opinionated = having strong opinions: "He's opinionated and dogmatic - the last person
you want to negotiate with."
P
passive = not assertive - doing what other people want you to do without arguing: "He's
passive at work, but domineering at home."
perfectionnist = someone who wants perfection: "Her boss is a perfectionnist - no
spelling mistakes are allowed."
persuasive = being able to persuade people to do things or to accept your ideas: "He's a
persuasive talker."
picky = only liking certain things or people: "She's picky about her friends."
playful = someone who likes to play and have fun: "You're in a playful mood today!" pleasant = nice and polite: "The bank manager was pleasant to me today."
polite = showing good manners: "She's polite and never forgets to say 'please' or 'thank
pragmatic = being practical and aware of your limitations: "She's pragmatic at work and
only does what she can."
Q
quick-tempered = getting angry quickly: "He was quick-tempered when he was young,
but he's more relaxed now."
R
reserved = keeping your ideas and thoughts to yourself: "He's reserved, but polite." rude = impolite: "He's very rude and never says 'please' or 'thank you'."
S
scatter-brained / scatty = someone who often forgets things: "Don't you remember
where you put your wallet? You're so scatter-brained!"
serious = not light-hearted: "He's a serious student and always does his homework." shy = quiet, because you are not very confident: "He's so shy and hates saying anything
to people he doesn't know."
sincere = saying what you believe (opposite of insincere): "He's sincere in his beliefs." slapdash = doing your work quickly and carelessly: "He's got a very slapdash attitude - I
doubt he'll ever become a lawyer."
slimy = trying to get what you want by being over-friendly: "That man is so slimy - he
makes me feel sick!"
sly = doing things in a secretive way: "You never know what he's up to - he's sly and
manipulative."
spiteful = trying to hurt other people because you didn't get what you wanted: "If she
doesn't get what she wants, she can be quite spiteful."
T
thoughtful = someone who thinks a lot: "He's a thoughtful person and won't do anything
unless he has considered the consequences."
thoughtless = not thinking about people or the consequences of your actions: "I'm sure
trustworthy = someone you can trust: "My accountant is really trustworthy."
V
volatile quickly changing moods: "He's easily excitable and pretty volatile."
W
witty = being able to make other people laugh by what you say: "He's witty and charming
- the perfect person to invite to a party."
Personalities
A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
cynical
A. seeing little or no good in other people, believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere. Cynical suggests a disbelief in the sincerity of human motives
eccentric A. having strange, unusual or abnormal habits or tastes This term is less
insulting than strange, weird or bizarre.
egotistical A. thinking too highly of oneself, considering oneself better than others.
imaginative A. creative, having much imagination
indecisive A. unable to decide quickly, not knowing what choice to make
picky A. hard to please, too careful in choosing something
sensible A. practical, reasonable, something that makes sense
sensitive A. easily feels emotion, easily hurt emotionally can be positive or
negative
sophisticated A. representing high culture, very experienced in life thoughtful A. often doing things to make other people feel good
Rephrasing
Sometimes we say things that other people don't understand, or we give the wrong impression.
This is an example conversation where one person says something that the other person thinks is strange.
LUIZ: "English is a very easy language to learn." IRENE: "What do you mean?"
LUIZ: "Well, what I meant to say was that it is easy if you practise every day." IRENE: "Oh, right."
Rephrasing expressions
"What I meant to say was…" "Let me rephrase that…"
"Let me put this another way…"
"Perhaps I'm not making myself clear…"
Back to the beginning
If you're explaining something, and you realise that the other person doesn't understand, you can use the following phrases:
"If we go back to the beginning…" "The basic idea is…"
"One way of looking at it is…" "Another way of looking at it is…"
If you forget the English word
If you forget the word you want to use, you can say: "I can't find the word I'm looking for…"
"I'm not sure that this is the right word, but…" "What I want to say is…"
Speaking Tip
Don't be afraid to repeat what you're saying, especially if you can do it in a slightly different way.
There are many ways of giving advice in English. Here are some of the more common expressions.
"If I were you, I would…" "Have you thought about…"
"You really ought to…" ('ought' is pronounced 'ort') "Why don't you…"
"In your position, I would…" "You should perhaps…" "You could always…"
Examples
If someone says "I'm having problems learning English", you could say: "If I were you, I'd sign up for an English course."
"Have you thought about going to the UK for a couple of weeks?" "You really ought to watch English television."
"Why don't you read more English books?"
"In your position, I would try and practise speaking English." "You should perhaps look at the english-at-home.com website." "You could always get a penpal."
Giving your opinions
There are many ways to give your opinions when speaking English. The exact English expression you use depends on how strong your opinion is.
Giving your opinion neutrally
"I think…" "I feel that…"
"In my opinion…"
"As far as I'm concerned…" "As I see it…"
"In my view…"
"I tend to think that…"
Giving a strong opinion
"I'm absolutely convinced that…" "I'm sure that…"
"I strongly believe that…" "I have no doubt that…"
English expressions for asking someone's opinion
"What do you think?" "What's your view?"
"How do you see the situation?"
Speaking Tip
Try to practise using these expressions, so that your speech sounds more varied!
How to ask for things in English
Asking for things in English doesn't need to be stressful. Just remember some key phrases, and you'll be able to deal with most situations smoothly and confidently!
Asking clerks or at help desks
(Hello.) Can / Could I have ….. please? (Falling intonation) (Good morning.) Can / Could you give / get me ….. please? (Good evening.) A table for two, please.
Interrupting people to ask them for something
Excuse me…
…. Do you know if…? …. Do you have…?
…. Do you accept …. (credit cards)?
…. Is this the right way for…. (the Post Office)?
…. Could you tell me if …. (there's a Post Office near here)?
In more formal situations
Excuse me…
…. Would you mind …. (keeping an eye on my luggage?) …. I wonder if you could …. (move your suitcase a little.)
Responding to questions
You ask for something, then the person you have asked needs more information. He or she asks you a question. If you haven't expected this, you can "play for time" - say something to give you time to think. Say something like "Oh", "Ah", "Um", or "Er" to give you a second or two to formulate an answer. Remember, complete silence makes the other person feel uneasy!
You: "Two tickets to Glasgow, please." Clerk: "Single or return?"
You: "Um, return please. We're coming back tomorrow." (You are at the bureau de change)
Clerk: How would you like your money? You: Oh, er, three tens and a five, please.
You: "Hello. Can I have a leaflet about London museums, please." Clerk: "Sure. Anything else?"
You: "Um, do you have any information about musicals?"
Tips
When you ask someone for something, or you ask them to do something for you, it is essential to be as polite as possible. Here are some ways that you can be polite.
Say hello
"Hello. (I'd like) a travel card, please."
In more formal situations, you can say "Good morning", "Good afternoon" or "Good evening". (Remember, we only say "Good night" if we're saying "Good bye" at the end of the day.)
"Good evening. We've booked a table for four."
Remember "please" and "thank you"
"Please" normally goes at the end of the sentence: "Two tickets please."
"Can you give me directions to Oxford Street, please." Say "thank you" after you have received something: "Here's your change."
"Thank you."
You can use "Yes, please" or "No, thank you" in response to a question: "Would you like salad with your pizza?"
"Yes, please" or "No, thank you."
Say "excuse me"
If you ask someone who is doing something else, remember to say "excuse me": "Excuse me, do yo have this dress in a smaller size?" (In a shop)
"Excuse me, do you know where the nearest bank is?" (On the street)
Structure of an example conversation
1. Clerk greets you
(Good morning.) How can I help you? What can I do for you?
2. You ask for something
Hello. I'd like some information about… Can I have….
Three stamps for Europe, please. 3. Clerk asks you a question
Single or return?
Air-mail or surface mail? 4. You answer
Oh, er, single thanks.
Um, let me see. Air-mail please.
5. Clerk asks you if you need anything else Will that be all?
(Is there) anything else? 6. You answer
Ah, actually I'd also like… No, that's it thanks / thank you.
How to express shock in English
It is sometimes difficult to say how you feel in unexpected situations, such as natural disasters, especially when you feel sad. Here's a list of some common expressions to help you express shock and disbelief.
Shock
I was shocked to hear…
The news came as a complete shock. We're all in complete shock.
Everyone's reeling from the shock of… It happened out of the blue.
Who could have predicted it? I (just) can't get over ….
We were completely taken aback by… I was just stunned by…
Disbelief
I just can't believe… It's unbelievable.
I / You just can't imagine…
Words can't describe… (how I feel about / the terrible devastation etc) There's no way it could have happened.
Saying how bad something is
It's so awful.
It's terrible / What terrible news. It's a tragedy.
It's a catastrophe (pronounced "ca - tas - tra - fee" with the stress on "-tas") This is the worst thing that could have happened.
How to keep the conversation going
What can you say when you want to encourage people to keep talking to you?
Try making a comment or asking a question - it shows the other person you're interested in what they are saying.
Here are some examples of what you can say:
Making comments
"No!" - to show surprise.
"I don't believe it!" - to show surprise. "Wow!" - to show admiration or surprise.
"That's incredible / amazing / unbelievable" - to show great interest in the subject of conversation.
"How awful / terrible" - to show sympathy with someone else's bad news.
Asking questions
"Really?" - to show surprise.
"And you?" - when someone asks you how you are.
"Did you?" - can be used to encourage someone to tell their story.
For example, "I saw her last night", "Did you?" "Yes, she was with one of her friends, and she…."
Making a booking in English does not have to be complicated. In fact, if you keep the information concise, you will find it easy!
Starting the conversation
I'd like to…..
…. book a double room (for two nights from Monday 2 August to…) …. book a table (for two at 9 pm tomorrow night)
…. book a flight (from London to Paris on Tuesday 10 November) …. book seats (tonight for "Phantom of the Opera")
You can also reserve a room, a table or seats.
Responding to questions
How many people is the booking for? … It's for two people.
How would you like to pay? … Can I pay by credit card? Can you spell your surname? … Yes, it's B - R - O - W - N.
Can you give me your credit card number and expiry date? …Yes, it's …….
Travel bookings
What time do you want to leave / arrive / check-out? … I'd like to arrive in London by 6 pm.
Would you like to take advantage of our special insurance / extra facilities? … No thank you / Could you give me extra information?
Asking for more information
Is there a booking fee? (for flights, theatre tickets) How much is the baggage allowance? (for flights) Could you confirm my booking?
What time should I arrive? (for theatres, restaurants)
What time do I have to check in / do I have to check out? (for flights, hotels) Is there an ensuite bathroom? (for hotels)
Tips
Remember the essential information: - how many nights (at a hotel)
- how many people (at a restaurant or the theatre) - what time (for a flight or at a restaurant)
- how much does it cost (for a flight, theatre tickets or a hotel room) Research the vocabulary you need before you make a call:
- what type of theatre seat you need - what type of hotel room you want - where you want to sit on the plane
Remember to pronounce numbers and letters clearly.
When you spell something or give a number, speak slowly and emphasise the important information.
How to respond appropriately in special situations
Certain situations need special vocabulary…
Congratulations!
You can say Congratulations in many circumstances, such as for weddings, promotions, passing exams, or to the parents and family of a new baby.
Well done!
You can say this to someone who has passed an exam or achieved something difficult like a promotion.
Birthdays
The most usual ways of referring to someone's birthday are by saying Happy Birthday! or more formally, Many happy returns!
Cultural note: Some birthdays are more special than others in Britain. Your 18th birthday is special as you then become an official adult. In the past, 21 was the age of adulthood, and some people still celebrate it in a special way by giving silver keys, which represent
the key to the door.
Before an exam or something difficult
Wish someone good luck before something difficult, by saying Good luck! But if people are superstitious and believe that saying "Good luck" will have the opposite effect, you could also hear Break a leg!
If someone has failed at something, you can say Bad luck!
Toasting
At parties and gatherings, you might be asked to drink a toast to celebrate a happy event.
Here's to … Let's drink to…
Ladies and Gentlemen, "The Bride and Groom". Please raise your glasses to…
Writing to someone who has passed an exam
If you are writing a card or a letter to someone who has passed an exam, you can use the following expressions:
Well done! It's a fantastic result.
Congratulations on passing! You deserve it after so much hard work.
Writing wedding cards
Here are a couple of standard phrases to write on wedding cards:
Congratulations! Wishing you many happy years together. Wishing you the best of luck in your future together.
Writing in sad situations
In difficult situations you can write I was so sorry to hear that ….
If you are writing to the relatives of someone who has died, you can also write
I was deeply saddened to hear…
or
Please accept my deepest condolences on the death of…
(You can replace "I" with "We", such as "We were very sad to hear that…")
How to say what's important
Sometimes you need to say how important things are to you. These are all common ways of telling someone what your priorities are.
In a job interview
"The most important thing for me is that the job is challenging." "What's really important to me is being able to learn something new." "The most crucial thing for me is to be valued by my colleagues." "The most vital thing is knowing that I am doing a good job."
"What really motivates me is learning about new ways of doing something." "I'm extremely interested in learning more about the market."
"In terms of priorities, I am most interested in getting results. In addition, I would like to develop my marketing skills."
"As far as my priorities go, getting results is the most important." "At the top of my list of priorities is feeling appreciated."
"The least important thing is salary."
How to talk about illness
Sometimes you don't feel very well, but you're not really ill. Here are some common expressions that you can use to describe general "aches and pains" and some useful
"sympathetic" responses.
General aches and pains
"I feel a bit under the weather." "I'm not feeling very well."
"I think I'm going down with a cold. I've got a sore throat."
"I've got a slight headache." (Or toothache / stomach ache / backache) Pronounced "ake" as in "cake".
"I'm not sleeping very well at the moment." "I feel a little faint."
"I've got a nagging pain in my shoulder." (nagging = a pain that won't go away) "I've got a splitting headache - I hope it's not a migraine."
Sympathetic responses
"I'm sorry to hear that." "You don't look very well." "You look a little pale."
"Maybe you're going down with something. There's a bug going around." "Maybe you should go home and get some rest."
"Why don't you go home and have a lie-down."
Mild illness
"I have a bit of a stomach bug."
"I think I've got a bit of a temperature." "I have a touch of flu." (Flu = influenza) "I've got a nasty cough." (pronounced "coff")
Learn English with television
Television is great for learning English. The pictures make it easier to understand than radio and because you can see who's talking, you get a better idea of what people mean. Just watch their "body language"!
Watch programmes that you find enjoyable and entertaining - whatever you watch will help you to improve your English.
Here's the english@home guide to learning as much as possible while watching English television:
Only watch programmes you find interesting. Learning English should be fun - not
something you have to force yourself to do. If you have a passion for football, watch matches or the sports news.
Keep a notebook near to your television, so that you can jot down any new words or
expressions that you hear. This is especially useful if the programme you are watching has been subtitled into your language.
Try to watch English television regularly. Even if you can only watch 15 minutes a
day, you'll be amazed how much you learn.
Don't worry if you don't understand everything - English television is normally aimed
at native English language speakers. Programmes often include difficult words and expressions. If the programme you're watching is full of unknown words, just concentrate on understanding the general meaning.
Even cartoons and children's programmes are useful when learning English and quiz
shows are useful for learning how to ask and answer questions in English.
Keep a note of television programmes and presenters that you find easy to understand
and try to watch them regularly. Doing this will increase your confidence and give you a sense of achievement.
Making appointments
Useful phrases for making and changing appointments.
Asking to meet
"Are you available on the 17th?" "Can we meet on the 16th?"
"How does the 3rd sound to you?" "Are you free next week?"
"Would Friday suit you?"
"Is next Tuesday convenient for you?" "What about sometime next week?"
Agreeing on a date
"Yes, Thursday is fine." "Thursday suits me."
"Thursday would be perfect."
Suggesting a different date
"I'm afraid I can't on the 3rd. What about the 6th?"
"I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it on Monday. Could we meet on Tuesday instead?" "Ah, Wednesday is going to be a little difficult. I'd much prefer Friday, if that's alright with you."
"I really don't think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on the 19th?"
Setting a time
"What sort of time would suit you?" "Is 3pm a good time for you?"
"If possible, I'd like to meet in the morning." "How does 2pm sound to you?"
Changing the arrangement
"You know we were going to meet next Friday? Well, I'm very sorry, but something urgent has come up."
"I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to meet you after all. Can we fix another time?" "Something has just cropped up and I won't be able to meet you this afternoon. Can we make another time?"
VOCABULARY
Baby vocabulary
How to talk about pregnancy and babies.
My friend got pregnant / conceived in April and her baby was born in January.
She waited until the second trimester (after three months) to tell people, as by then there is less risk of losing the baby / having a miscarriage. During the pregnancy she had terrible morning sickness and she also had cravings (a strong desire to eat something) for cheese and pickle sandwiches.
The birth itself was uncomplicated. She went into labour at midnight, and the baby was born at 7 a.m. She didn't feel too much pain and didn't need an epidural. Instead, she was on drips to make the contractions come a little quicker. Her midwife (special nurse who follows a woman throughout pregnancy) was with her during the birth, just to make sure that everything went well. Luckily, it was a normal delivery and she didn't need a
Caesarean section (operation). The doctor cut the cord and put the baby on her
stomach. He said "Congratulations! It's a healthy baby girl!"
She and her husband prepared their house before she went into hospital. They decorated the nursery. They also had to buy some baby equipment, such as a baby bath, a
changing mat (on which they will change the baby's nappies), a carry cot (so they can
carry the baby around), a cot (for the baby to sleep in), a mobile (to hang over the cot so that the baby can see moving shapes) and more teddy bears than any baby can surely need. Friends have bought them baby clothes already, so they are as ready as they can be for their new baby.
Medical vocabulary
English words and phrases connected with injury.
Boil = infected swelling with liquid inside it: "You'll need to go to the doctor to have that
boil lanced." (lance - puncture and clean)
Lump = swelling: "I have a strange lump on my arm. I wonder what caused it."
Rash = allergic reaction which makes your skin go red: "When she used the soap her skin
