When learning a new language in a foreign country, it can be stressful to communicate in your daily interactions. One great way to make your conversations smoother is to memorize a few common English phrases for beginners. 

In this article, we’ll teach you 40 basic phrases in English you need to know for day-to-day activities and interactions. You’ll learn phrases for introducing yourself, being polite, shopping & dining, and asking for help. 

Ready? Let’s go.

Table of Contents

1. Greetings and Self-Introductions
2. Courtesy Phrases and Social Expressions
3. Dining and Shopping Phrases
4. Asking for Help
5. Conclusion

1. Greetings and Self-Introductions

Our first set of English beginner phrases consists of those you would use to greet others or introduce yourself. We have included phrases of varying formality levels, adding notes where needed.

Hello. / Hi. / Hey. 

Meaning: 

These are basic phrases used when first greeting someone. “Hello” is the most formal, “hi” is less formal, and “hey” is informal.  

Examples:

“Hello, Mrs. Warren.” [Formal]
“Hi Sharon.” [Less Formal]
“Hey Sharon!” [Informal]

Good morning.

Meaning:

This phrase is used to greet someone in the morning. You may use it to begin a conversation or just to be polite when walking past someone. 

Example:

“Good morning, Mr. Sandoval.”

Good afternoon.

Meaning:

This phrase is used to greet someone in the afternoon. It’s used the same way as “good morning.”

Example:

“Good afternoon, Polly.”

Good evening.

Meaning:

This phrase is used to greet someone in the evening. It’s used the same way as “good morning” and “good afternoon.”

Example:

“Good evening, Ivan.”

Nice to meet you. 

Meaning:

This is a polite phrase used when first meeting someone. It’s most often said right after “Hello,” or after someone has told you their name. 

Example:

A: “Hello, my name is Karen.”
B: “Nice to meet you.”

My name is ___.

Meaning:

Use this phrase to tell someone your name. In formal situations, you should give both your first name and your last name. In more casual situations, it’s better to give only your first name (or even a nickname). 

Examples:

“My name is Jack Frost.” [Formal]
“My name is Jack.” [Informal]

I am ___.

Meaning:

You can use this phrase for many different purposes. For example, you can tell someone your age or occupation. You can also express your personality traits or states of being this way. 

Examples:

“I am 22 years old.” [Age]
“I am a writer.” [Occupation]
“I am shy.” [Personality Trait]
“I am tired.” [State of Being]

I’m from ___.

Meaning:

Use this phrase to tell someone what country, city, or geographic location you are originally from. 

Examples:

“I’m from the United States.” [Country]
“I’m from China.” [Country]
“I’m from Manila.” [City]
“I’m from Africa.” [Geographic Location]

How are you?

Meaning:

This phrase is normally used with people you have met before. It’s a polite phrase meant to show that you are interested in the other person’s wellbeing. 

Important Note – In the United States, you would normally answer with “I’m good,” or “I’m well,” and then repeat the question to the other person. 

Example:

A: “Hello, how are you?”
B: “I’m well, and how are you?”

Goodbye. / Bye. 

Meaning:

This phrase is used at the end of a conversation, right before you leave the other person. “Goodbye” is a little bit more formal than “Bye.”

Important Note – To be extra polite, you can say something like “It was nice talking to you,” before saying goodbye. 

Example:

“It was nice talking to you. Goodbye.”

See you later.

Meaning:

This is a less formal way of saying goodbye. You can use it in more casual situations, when you plan on seeing the other person again in the future. 

Example:

“Thank you for the talk. See you later!”

→ Learn even more useful English phrases for beginners in our vocabulary list 10 Lines You Need for Introducing Yourself and our blog post The Best Ways to Say Hello in English.

2. Courtesy Phrases and Social Expressions

In this section, you’ll find simple English phrases for daily use. Learning how and when to use these expressions will help you sound polite in a variety of contexts.

Please. 

Meaning:

This is a very polite phrase you should use anytime you ask for something.

Examples:

“May I have this, please?”
“Can you please pass the salt?”

Thank you. / Thanks.

Meaning:

These are polite phrases you should use after someone gives you something or helps you in some way. “Thank you” is more formal than “thanks.”

Example:

“Thank you for your help earlier.” [Formal]
“Thanks for everything!” [Informal]

You’re welcome.

Meaning:

This phrase is used after someone says thank you. It can be used in both formal and informal situations.

Example:

A: “Thanks for everything!”
B: “You’re welcome.”

Sorry. 

Meaning:

You can use this phrase anytime you inconvenience someone (for example, if you get in their way by accident or step on their foot). 

Example:

“Sorry! I didn’t see you there.”

That’s okay.

Meaning:

You can use this phrase after someone says sorry. It means that you are not upset with them. 

Example:

A: “Sorry! I didn’t see you there.”
B: “That’s okay.”

Excuse me.

Meaning:

You can use this phrase in two different ways: 1) to get someone’s attention, or 2) to politely ask someone to move out of the way. 

Example:

1) “Excuse me. Where does this train stop next?”
2) “Excuse me, I need to get through.”

Take care.

Meaning:

This is a polite phrase you can use to end a conversation with someone. It means that you want them to stay well and safe until the next time you meet.

Example:

“I enjoyed our chat. Take care.”

May I ___? 

Meaning:

Use this phrase to ask permission to do something. 

Examples:

“May I smoke here?”
“May I use the restroom?”
“May I go with you?”

Important Note – You might also hear the common phrase “Can I ___?” used for the same purposes. However, “May I ___?” is the correct way to form the phrase. This is because “can” indicates ability, while “may” is used to ask for permission. 

Could you (please) ___?

Meaning:

You can use this phrase to politely ask someone to do something. You can use it with or without the word “please,” but using this word will make you sound more polite. 

Important Note – Using the form “could you” is considered more polite than using “can you.” It shows a degree of respect and seems to give the other person more choice in whether they help you or not. 

Examples:

“Could you turn off the AC?”
“Could you please open the window?”

→ In our blog post Proper American Etiquette in the United States, you can learn more about how to be polite and courteous while in the U.S.

3. Dining and Shopping Phrases

Whether you love eating out at restaurants or simply want to be prepared for your next trip to the grocery store, these useful English phrases will help you make the most of your interactions.

Can I get ____?

Meaning:

This phrase is most commonly used in restaurants to order something from the menu. 

Examples:

“Can I get the shrimp alfredo?”
“Can I get another glass of wine?”

___, please.

Meaning:

This is another common phrase used in restaurants. You can often use it in place of the previous phrase to order from the menu. It can also be used to ask for the check after your meal. 

Examples:

“Shrimp alfredo, please.”
“Another glass of wine, please.”
“Check, please.”

I would like ___. 

Meaning:

This is a useful phrase for ordering in a restaurant, but it can also be used while shopping. 

Examples:

“I would like the shrimp alfredo.”
“I would like this one.”
“I would like to try on another dress.”

Important Note – This phrase can be used to describe items you want (the first two examples) as well as actions you would like to take (the last example). When used to express actions you want to take, remember to use the main verb in the infinitive form (“to try”). 

Do you have ___?

Meaning:

This phrase is very useful in both restaurants and shopping centers. You can say this to a waiter, store clerk, or other staff member to ask if they have what you’re looking for.

Examples:

“Do you have vegetarian options?” [Restaurant]
“Do you have dragonfruit?” [Grocery Store]
“Do you have a smaller size?” [Clothing Store]

May I see ___?

Meaning:

You can use this phrase to ask to see something that you already know the restaurant or store has.

Examples:

“May I see the dessert menu?” [Restaurant]
“May I see that necklace?” [Store]

Could you bring ___?

Meaning:

This phrase is most often used in restaurants. You can say this to your waiter or waitress to have them bring something to you. 

Examples:

“Could you bring the menu?”
“Could you bring the check?”
“Could you bring more bread?”

Where can I find ___?

Meaning:

You can use this phrase in a store to ask a staff member where something is. 

Example:

“Where can I find leeks?”
“Where can I find the Asian food aisle?”
“Where can I find the restroom?”

How much is ___?

Meaning:

This phrase is used to ask how much something costs. While prices are usually displayed clearly in stores and malls, many high-end restaurants do not include the prices of menu items, so it can be helpful to ask. 

Examples:

“How much is the shrimp alfredo?”
“How much is a bottle of Merlot?”
“How much is the lava cake?”

Is a credit card okay?

Meaning:

In the United States, it’s very common to pay for things using a credit card instead of cash or a check. However, smaller stores or restaurants (especially in rural or low-traffic areas) may not accept credit cards. It’s always a good idea to ask if you’re not sure! 

Example:

Clerk: “That will be $32.15.”
You: “Is a credit card okay?”
Clerk: “Yes, thank you.”

Are you in line?

Meaning:

You can use this phrase to ask someone if they are standing in line (U.S.) or in the queue (U.K.). This will ensure that you don’t accidentally “cut” in front of them in line.

Example:

A: “Excuse me, are you in line?”
B: “Oh, no. Go ahead.”
A: “Thank you.”

Important Note – Here, the other person responds with “Oh no, go ahead.” This is a common response, and it means that you can go in front of them to stand in line. If the person responds “Yes,” it means you need to stand behind them. 

→ Our vocabulary list Vocabulary and Phrases at the Restaurant contains a few more useful phrases you should know—check it out! 

→ Curious to learn about American cuisine? Then you’ll love our article The Best American Food: All of the Dishes You Have to Try! 

4. Asking for Help

Some of the most important phrases in English for beginners to learn are those for getting help. Here are some phrases for overcoming language barriers, getting directions, and more.

Do you speak ___?

Meaning:

You can use this phrase to ask if someone speaks either English or your native language. If you’re getting someone’s attention, you should also add “excuse me” to the beginning of the question to be polite. 

Examples:

“Excuse me, do you speak English?”
“Excuse me, do you speak Japanese?”
“Excuse me, do you speak Spanish?”

Where is ___?

Meaning:

This is a useful phrase for asking where something is. You can ask this to someone if you’re lost or need to find a restroom, for example. 

Examples:

“Where is the pharmacy?”
“Where is the community center?”
“Where is the restroom?”

How do you say ___ in English?

Meaning:

You can use this phrase to ask 1) how to say something from your language in English, or 2) ask how something in English is said in your native language. 

Examples:

1) “How do you say Tienes una sonrisa bonita in [English]?”
2) “How do you say ‘You have a beautiful smile,’ in [Spanish]?”

Can you say that again? / Can you repeat?

Meaning:

Both of these phrases are used to ask someone to repeat what they’ve said. You can say this to someone if they’re speaking too fast or if you didn’t understand what they said. 

Example:

A: “Would you like to have ice cream or go see a movie?”
B: “I’m sorry, can you say that again?”
A: “Sure.”

I don’t understand. 

Meaning:

You can use this phrase when you don’t understand what someone just said. This phrase is useful when discussing more complex topics or when the other person is speaking too fast. 

Example:

A: “Can you go downstairs to the basement for me, find the dresser I told you about, and get the map?”
B: “I don’t understand. Can you repeat?”
A: “Okay.”

Can you explain ___?

Meaning:

You can use this phrase to ask someone to explain something to you if it isn’t clear. 

Examples:

“Can you explain what this sign means?”
“Can you explain what she said?”

I need a doctor.

Meaning:

Use this phrase to let someone know that you need medical attention. 

Example:

“I’m hurt, I need a doctor!”

Call the police.

Meaning:

Use this phrase to have someone call the police during an emergency, for example. 

Example:

“Someone stole her purse! Call the police.”

Can you help me?

Meaning:

This is a versatile phrase you can use anytime you need help with something. You can say this to a store clerk, for example, if you need help finding something. 

Examples:

“Can you help me? I can’t find the restroom.”
“I think I’m lost, can you help me?”

I lost my passport. 

Meaning:

Use this phrase to let someone know that you’ve lost your passport. 

Example:

“Can you help me? I lost my passport.”

→ Here are some more Words and Phrases to Help You in an Emergency! 

5. Conclusion

Learning these English phrases for beginners will make your basic everyday conversations so much smoother and help you sound more like a native speaker. We hope you enjoyed this lesson and learned some new phrases you can start practicing today! 

You can continue improving your English with EnglishClass101.com. We provide a variety of free resources for our students, including themed vocabulary lists and grammar information. You can also create your free lifetime account for access to tons of fun and practical lessons in both audio and video format. It’s our goal to help you go from beginner to advanced speaker, and to be there for you every step of the way. 

How many of these phrases did you know already? And how will you start practicing the new ones? We look forward to hearing from you!

If you’ve been studying English for a while, you know the positive feelings that come with expanding your knowledge and improving your skills.

You probably felt overjoyed the first time you read something in English and understood it. You might have found yourself trying to eavesdrop on native speakers as your listening skills got better. And I’m willing to bet you felt a little bit proud of yourself after having your first English-language conversation. 

At this stage in your learning journey, memorizing more advanced English words is going to boost your confidence even further and provide you with a more comprehensive vocabulary base. 

In this article, we’ll introduce and show examples of advanced-level English words in the following categories:

• Academic
• Business
• Medical
• Legal

In addition, we’ve included a bonus section where you can find more professional, impressive words  you can use in place of their weaker counterparts.

→ Before we get ahead of ourselves, have you read our articles on Beginner words yet?

Table of Contents

1. Advanced Academic Words
2. Advanced Business Words
3. Advanced Medical Words
4. Advanced Legal Words
5. Bonus: Alternative Words for Acing Your English Exam
6. Conclusion

1. Advanced Academic Words

Do you plan on finishing high school or attending university in an English-speaking country? Then you’ll need a suitable vocabulary! Below are some of the most common advanced English words used in academic settings.

→ You can find a few more practical words on our Academia Vocab Builder!

Ambiguous  Adjective	Unclear or uncertain; Able to be interpreted more than one way
The results from the last election are rather ambiguous.

Analyze Verb	To study something in a methodical manner in order to find relationships or patterns
Peter had to analyze the data from his biotechnology experiment.

Assessment  Noun	A tool used to measure one’s knowledge or ability
Each student was given a long assessment at the end of the semester.

Contemporary Adjective / Noun	Adjective: Being of the current times Noun: Something or someone who existed at the same time as another
Adjective: She doesn’t like contemporary artwork. Noun: Franklin D. Roosevelt was a contemporary of Albert Einstein.

Controversy Noun	Quarrels or arguments resulting from opposing views on a topic of importance
The new film sparked a lot of controversy.

Credentials Noun	Documents or testimonials that indicate a person’s worthiness or ability to perform in a specific role
Lilly was asked about her credentials during the interview.

Curiosity Noun	Inquisitiveness or interest in something
Curiosity is an important trait for any student to possess.

Discrimination Noun	A prejudiced view; The act of judging others based on category and not their own personal merits or faults
Please write an essay on how discrimination has affected your life.

Evaluate Verb	To look over data in order to find patterns or relationships
Tom and Susan evaluated the data from their experiment.

Factor Noun	Any element that contributes to the success or accomplishment of something
What is the most important factor in learning a language?

Finesse Noun	A skillful, delicate, or refined manner of performing an action or completing a task
Polly recited the poem with great finesse.

Former Adjective	Previous; Coming before
When was the last time you talked with a former classmate?

Incident Noun	A (usually negative) occurrence
We do not want a repeat of last week’s incident, do we?

Inferior Adjective	Not as good as; Weaker than
Opal’s math skills are inferior to Rick’s.

Inquiry Noun	A question or series of questions asked in order to receiving information; An investigation
My recent inquiry went unanswered.

Irrational Adjective	Lacking reason, clarity of mind, or logic
Her behavior that day was irrational and frightening.

Irrelevant Adjective	Lacking relevance; Having nothing to do with the topic at hand
The answer he gave was irrelevant and added no value to the discussion.

Juvenile Adjective / Noun	Adjective: Childlike; Immature Noun: A child or minor
Adjective: Cara hated his juvenile behavior.  Noun: Because she was a juvenile, she was let off easy.

Latter Adjective	Coming after
Now, let’s discuss the latter point.

Listless Adjective	Having no energy or enthusiasm
After the breakup, Anne was listless.

Motive Noun	A reason for doing or saying something
What is the motive behind the president’s decision?

Observe Verb	To watch closely
I had the chance to observe petals falling from the tree.

Outstanding Adjective	1. Exceptional 2. Still needing to be dealt with
1. Her performance for Theatre class was outstanding.  2. Will you pay the outstanding credit card balance?

Parlance Noun	A specific way of using words; Jargon
The two siblings had a special parlance between them.

Proportion Noun	A number or percentage of something
The proportion of people getting the COVID-19 vaccine is slowly increasing.

Qualm Noun	A fear, doubt, or worry
Evelynn had some qualms about her upcoming appointment.

Subsequent Adjective	Coming after another thing (usually an event or action)
The rain brought on a subsequent hailstorm.

Vast Adjective	Wide; Expansive
The ocean is incredibly vast.

Widespread Adjective	Existing across a large area or population
From where did this widespread belief originate?

2. Advanced Business Words

If your long-term goal is to grow your career in an English-speaking country, you’ll need a strong set of relevant words and phrases to ensure your success. Below is a list of advanced English words for daily use in business settings. 

→ You might also find it helpful to read through our article on How to Find a Job in the USA and our vocabulary list of Phrases for Doing Business Successfully. 
→ You can also pick up some more advanced English for business in our Advanced lesson series.

Agenda Noun	1. A plan or schedule (usually for a trip or meeting) 2. An underlying motive for doing or saying something
1. The first thing on our agenda is to discuss our budget for this quarter. 2. Politicians always seem to have a hidden agenda.

Alternative Adjective / Noun	Adjective: Different; Other Noun: An option that is available or offered in place of another
Adjective: Are there any alternative methods available to us?  Noun: I wish there was an alternative.

Authorization Noun	Permission from a superior to do something
You need authorization to make that purchase.

Banknote Noun	A paper form of legal tender
Can you deliver these banknotes to the appropriate department?

Branch Noun	A company division or office; An extension or subdivision of a company
The bank will be opening a new branch in my area.

Clause Noun	A specific article or stipulation within a document
The rules were clearly outlined in the third clause.

Compensation Noun	Payment received for one’s work; Money or another asset given to someone to make up for injury or loss
Dom was unsatisfied with the compensation he received for his labor.

Consensus Noun	Agreement
We have yet to reach a consensus concerning our email marketing campaign.

Consumer Noun	One who purchases a product or service
In marketing, it’s important to understand the wants and needs of the consumer.

Counter-offer Noun	An offer given to negotiate terms after hearing an original offer
Maria didn’t like the terms laid out, so she made a counter-offer.

Estimate Noun / Verb	Noun: An educated guess  Verb: The act of making an educated guess
Noun: Isla made a quick estimate on how much the project would cost.  Verb: In the United States, most self-employed persons must estimate their taxes every quarter.

Expansion Noun	Growth
The library network underwent a large expansion last year.

Fiscal Adjective	Relating to taxes or other government revenue
What was our gross income for the last fiscal year?

Invoice Noun / Verb	Noun: A document containing information on services rendered and their costs Verb: The act of sending someone an invoice
Noun: Have you sent Mr. Hayneedle the invoice yet? Verb: No, I still need to invoice him for our services.

Monopoly Noun	Exclusive possession/control of a product or service
The grocery store had a monopoly in the area, because it had no competitors.

Reinforce Verb	To encourage or strengthen something
Eva needed to reinforce the company guidelines.

Rendezvous Noun / Verb	Noun: A scheduled meeting Verb: The act of attending a scheduled meeting
Noun: We have scheduled a rendezvous with the stakeholders for tomorrow afternoon. Verb: I must rendezvous with my family at the airport next week.

Revenue Noun	Generated income
How can we generate more revenue next year?

Strategy Noun	A detailed plan
I am developing a new strategy for our customer service sector.

Transfer Noun / Verb	Noun: A move or shift to another location Verb: The act of moving or shifting someone/something to another location
Noun: Thank you for banking with us; the transfer was successful.  Verb: Would you like to transfer to another department?

Visual aid Noun	Images, graphs, tables, or charts used to help others visualize the presented information
The presentation was quite dull because Tammy did not incorporate visual aids.

Vocational  Adjective	Relating to one’s field of work
Can you describe your vocational goals?

Workaholic Noun	One who works too much or too hard, especially if they seem addicted to working despite its consequences to their health
Joe is a workaholic; he hardly ever leaves the office.

3. Advanced Medical Words

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for healthcare workers is projected to increase 15% over the next decade. If you would like to pursue a medical career, knowing advanced English words related to medicine and health conditions is essential! 

→ Please visit our free vocabulary lists for Medicine and Medical Treatments and Common Health Problems for additional words and phrases.

Analgesic Adjective / Noun	Adjective: Reducing, relieving, or preventing pain Noun: A drug or other medium that reduces, relieves, or prevents pain
Adjective: The doctor prescribed some analgesic drugs after the surgery.  Noun: Many analgesics are habit-inducing and not for long-term use.

Anemia Noun	A condition characterized by a low red blood cell count; Symptoms include dizziness and lack of energy
Nina had to take an iron supplement due to her anemia.

Anesthesia Noun	The controlled loss of sensation, commonly used before surgery or other medical operations
Ray was put under anesthesia before his major surgery.

Aneurysm  Noun	A bulge in an artery resulting from a weakened point in the artery wall
Liza suffered an aneurysm after working out too hard.

Anomaly Noun	Something that varies from the norm
The doctors discovered an anomaly during Gerald’s annual checkup.

Anorexia Noun	Loss of appetite; A condition in which one starves oneself and exercises excessively in order to lose weight
Jasmine was hospitalized due to her anorexia.

Aphasia Noun	A condition in which one has difficulty understanding or using speech
Aphasia made it difficult for Henry to communicate with his family.

Apnea Noun	A condition in which one’s breathing stops for extended periods while they sleep, especially common in those who are obese or have heart/lung problems
Tom’s wife told him to see a doctor for his sleep apnea.

Arthritis Noun	A condition in which one’s joints are swollen and tender
His grandmother takes medication for her arthritis.

Asymptomatic Adjective	Showing no symptoms
Many people who contract COVID-19 are asymptomatic.

Atrophy Noun / Verb	The wasting away of something, usually muscle
Noun: He experienced muscle atrophy during his long hospitalization.  Verb: His muscles began to atrophy during his long hospitalization.

Autopsy Noun	An examination done postmortem to pinpoint one’s cause of death
The autopsy revealed the man died of a heart attack.

Benign Adjective	Not cancerous; Not likely to spread or be harmful
Lucille was relieved to hear that her tumor was benign.

Biopsy Noun	An examination done on human tissue to determine if a disease is present
Where are the results from the biopsy?

Bronchitis Noun	A condition in which the bronchial tubes (which carry air to/from the lungs) become inflamed
His coughing was a symptom of bronchitis.

Carcinogenic Adjective	Causing cancer
Processed meat and alcohol are said to be carcinogenic.

Cardiology Noun	A branch of medicine focusing on heart problems and other issues related to the circulatory system
Mellany studied cardiology for several years.

Cauterization Noun	The act of burning a section of the body in order to stop excessive bleeding or remove infected skin
Kevin’s wound required cauterization.

Chemotherapy Noun	A standardized procedure using several drugs to target cancer cells
Their grandfather had finally finished his last round of chemotherapy.

Chronic Adjective	Long-lasting or permanent
Some medical conditions are chronic, such as arthritis.

Colic Noun	A condition in which a newborn baby cries for several hours a day over the course of several weeks
Valerie hadn’t slept all week because her baby had colic.

Cranium Noun	The skull
He’s lucky he didn’t fracture his cranium after that fall!

Dementia Noun	A condition encompassing symptoms such as memory loss and difficulty with speech
Sara’s aunt was diagnosed with dementia and could not remember her.

Dermatitis Noun	A general term for skin conditions or diseases
Sometimes, lotion can soothe the skin of those with dermatitis.

Diagnosis Noun	The identification of a condition based on symptoms
Buck anxiously waited to hear the diagnosis.

Hemorrhage Noun / Verb	Noun: A condition in which a ruptured vessel bleeds Verb: To suffer a hemorrhage
Noun: There’s a hemorrhage in his brain that must be treated immediately.  Verb: Once her brain began to hemorrhage, there was nothing more they could do.

Psychiatry Noun	The study and treatment of mental and/or emotional issues
Kellie studied psychiatry so that she could become a therapist.

Residency Noun	A period of time (usually several years) during which medical students practice what they’ve learned firsthand
After completing his five-year residency, Hector celebrated with friends and family.

Therapy Noun	The act of working with a therapist to overcome problems that interfere with your life (anxiety, depression, etc.)
Joyce began therapy after her divorce.

4. Advanced Legal Words

Is it your parents’ dream for you to become a lawyer or a judge? Then you’d better study up! And I don’t mean on laws—there’s a ton of terminology and other advanced English terms you’ll need to know before donning that judicial robe. 

→ There are a few additional words on our Law Vocab Builder page. Hear their pronunciation and practice along!

Acquit Verb	To clear someone of all charges against them
The man accused of robbery was acquitted of the crime.

Adjudicate Verb	To make an informed decision on a dispute
The jury plays a large role in adjudicating a case.

Affidavit Noun	A written statement signed over oath and used as court evidence
William had to sign an affidavit to gain access to his funds.

Appeal Noun / Verb	Noun: A request to change a ruling Verb: The act of requesting a change to a ruling
Noun: He quickly filed an appeal to reverse the ruling.  Verb: Olivia appealed to the higher court on the issue.

Apprehend Verb	To arrest
The criminal was apprehended by police at his home.

Arraign Verb	To call someone to court in order to answer a charge against them
Alyssa was arraigned due to suspicion of her involvement in a crime.

Bail Noun / Verb	Noun: A specified amount of money to be paid in order to release someone from jail Verb: The act of paying said amount of money
Noun: Riley posted bail to release her son from jail.  Verb: Wayne refused to bail his father out of jail.

Bankruptcy Noun	A legal process which allows debtors who cannot repay their debts to be relieved of the responsibility
Her mother filed for bankruptcy last year.

Class-action lawsuit Noun	A situation where several plaintiffs may simultaneously file and prosecute a complaint against the same party
Did you hear about that class-action lawsuit on the news?

Complaint Noun	A formal statement concerning an issue that one would like resolved
Jose decided to file a complaint against his neighbor.

Curfew Noun	A specific time by which time a person should not be outside of their home
The city government imposed a curfew of 11 p.m. on its citizens.

Deed Noun	A legal document that proves one’s ownership (of a house, property, car, etc.)
The Gallagers couldn’t find the deed to their home.

Defendant Noun	The party in court that has been accused of a crime or misdemeanor
The defendant kept his head down as he walked into the courtroom.

Detention Noun	The act of detaining someone
She underwent detention because she was a major suspect.

Embezzlement Noun	Handling the money of another in a way that is unauthorized, especially when done for personal financial gain
The businessman and his colleague were charged with embezzlement.

Equity Noun	1) A principle that encourages fairness in court rulings, especially those that are not straightforward 2) The actual value of a property
1) The court used the principle of equity in its ruling.  2) The equity of the home was not impressive.

Espionage Noun	The act of spying on the political or military status of another country for the sake of one’s own country
The woman was openly accused of espionage.

Evict Verb	To legally remove someone as a resident of your home or other owned property
Matthew had to evict his friend from their shared apartment.

Expiration Noun	The act of ceasing to be valid by a specified date
Before the expiration of the contract, you will need to renew it.

Felony Noun	A crime
Robert’s brother committed a felony many years ago.

Foreclosure Noun	A situation where a mortgagor is forced to put their home up for sale due to not being able to make their payments
The foreclosure wreaked havoc on the family’s finances.

Impeachment Noun	The act of legally removing someone from their station, especially in government
The government official faced impeachment as a result of his actions.

Infringement Noun	The act of breaking an agreement or limiting one’s right to something
Jessica sued her company over the infringement of her contract with them.

Interrogation Noun	The act of questioning someone in order to gain information (or a confession)
The interrogation lasted several hours, but yielded no results.

Jurisprudence Noun	A legal system
Abigail was well-studied in U.S. jurisprudence.

Legislation Noun	Laws on a given topic that are considered collectively
What are your thoughts on the current legislation?

Legitimate Adjective	Adhering to the law
Tristan was uncertain whether the company’s actions were legitimate.

Liable Adjective	Legally responsible for
The court deems you liable for the damage.

Magistrate Noun	A court official who typically helps in resolving smaller disputes
The magistrate resolved a minor dispute between neighbors.

Malpractice Noun	Physical activity that has been handled in an illegal or negligent manner
The hospital was sued for malpractice by a former patient.

Marshal Noun	The administrative head of a police department
Wendy was served the eviction notice via the marshal.

Misdemeanor Noun	A petty crime
The teenager had several misdemeanors on her record.

Negligent Adjective	Lacking the due care, caution, or diligence required for a given task or role
The court found him negligent in his duties.

Null and void Adjective	No longer binding or applicable
This contract is now null and void.

Nullify Verb	To cause an agreement or contract to be no longer binding or applicable
How can I nullify the agreement?

Parole Noun	A release from jail or prison, based on a set of rules the releasee must agree and adhere to
Noun: The prisoner was placed on parole.

Penalty Noun	A specified amount of money owed for breaking an agreement or contract, or otherwise failing to meet legally binding expectations
Sylvia had to pay a penalty of $1000 for breaking the contract.

Perjury Noun	The act of lying while under oath
Barney was accused of perjury.

Plaintiff Noun	A person who accuses another party of committing a crime
The plaintiff accused the defendant of stealing her money.

Prosecutor Noun	One who performs the act of prosecuting a party in court
The prosecutor put forth the case against the defendant.

Premarital Adjective	Relating to a time prior to one’s marriage
The couple drafted and signed a premarital agreement.

Precedent Adjective / Noun	Adjective: Happening before another event or action Noun: A ruling or court case example that serves as a model for future cases
Adjective: The precedent ceremonies seemed to take a long time.  Noun: The judge drew on old precedents to rule the case.

Refutation Noun	A statement that declares another statement untrue or invalid
The lawyer put forth a refutation of the plaintiff’s account of events.

Sentence Noun / Verb	Noun: A formally declared judgement or punishment of the guilty party Verb: To put forth the judgement or punishment of the guilty party
Noun: Joe was served a life sentence in prison for his heinous crimes.  Verb: I hereby sentence you to life in prison.

Statute Noun	A law
Emily became familiar with several statutes while studying law.

Summons Noun	An order to appear in court
Ursula received a summons to appear in court the following Thursday.

Tenancy Noun	The state of being a legal resident on a property
Her husband’s tenancy was in dispute.

Treason Noun	A crime committed against one’s own country
The politician was accused of high treason.

Verdict Noun	An official decision
The final verdict shocked nearly everyone in the courtroom.

Writ Noun	A formal written document that contains an official order
She received a writ commanding her to testify on a case.

5. Bonus: Alternative Words for Acing Your English Exam

Are you nervous about an upcoming English exam or essay? Then there are three things you should do: 

1) Practice some de-stressing methods. 

2) Head over to our article on The IELTS Exam. 

3) Study the following list of advanced English words for essays. 

Note: The words in red are basic words that you could use, and the words in green are more advanced words you should use instead. 

Another Note: There’s a time and place for any word to be used, even a basic one. If you’re ever in doubt about the exact meaning of an advanced word, it may be better to use the basic one that’s less nuanced. 

Verbs

I concur with his analysis.

Agree	Concur
I agree with his analysis. Vs. I concur with his analysis.

Ask	Inquire
I asked about her work. Vs. I inquired about her work.

Buy	Purchase / Acquire
She bought a new dress. Vs. She purchased a new dress.  She acquired a new dress.

Delay	Defer / Postpone
The school delayed its opening. Vs. The school deferred its opening.  The school postponed its opening.

Expect	Anticipate
I expect she will marry soon. Vs. I anticipate she will marry soon.

Find	Discover
It took her years to find her hidden talents. Vs. It took her years to discover her hidden talents.

Give	Offer / Provide
He gave his children an allowance. Vs. He offered his children an allowance. He provided his children with an allowance.

Have	Own / Possess
She has many houses. Vs. She owns many houses. She possesses many houses.

Know	Comprehend / Understand
Mr. Luis knows the law. Vs. Mr. Luis comprehends the law. Mr. Luis understands the law.

Look	Examine
I looked at the pictures. Vs. I examined the pictures.

Make	Create
He made significant changes within the company. Vs. He created significant changes within the company.

Need	Require
I need additional resources to achieve my goal. Vs. I require additional resources to achieve my goal.

Put	Place
This has put much strain on the organization. Vs. This has placed much strain on the organization.

Say	Claim
She said they are having financial difficulties. Vs. She claimed they are having financial difficulties.

Show	Illustrate / Reveal
This shows how far the nation has fallen. Vs. This illustrates how far the nation has fallen. This reveals how far the nation has fallen.

Start	Arise / Begin / Develop
When did the problem start? Vs. When did the problem arise? When did the problem begin? When did the problem develop?

Talk	Discuss
We need to talk about our plans for next year. Vs. We need to discuss our plans for next year.

Try	Attempt
The doctor tried to save the patient. Vs. The doctor attempted to save the patient.

Use	Employ / Utilize
We need to use additional resources. Vs. We need to employ additional resources. We need to utilize additional resources.

Want	Desire / Long for
It is normal to want companionship.  Vs. It is normal to desire companionship. It is normal to long for companionship.

Adverbs

She is certainly not telling the truth.

Afterward	Subsequently
The company went bankrupt and notified the public afterward. Vs. The company went bankrupt and notified the public subsequently.

Also	Moreover
Also, she has never been married. Vs. Moreover, she has never been married.

Carefully	Tediously
The bookkeeper carefully recorded the numbers. Vs. The bookkeeper tediously recorded the numbers.

Definitely	Certainly
She is definitely not telling the truth. Vs. She is certainly not telling the truth.

Exactly	Precisely
Please arrive at exactly four o’clock. Vs. Please arrive at precisely four o’clock.

Mainly	Largely
It was mainly a matter of patience. Vs. It was largely a matter of patience.

Only	Merely
She was only fifteen. Vs. She was merely fifteen.

On purpose	Deliberately
The bank misled their customers on purpose. Vs. The bank misled their customers deliberately.

Quickly	Promptly
Please respond to this email quickly. Vs. Please respond to this email promptly.

Really	Quite
She was really inconsiderate. Vs. She was quite inconsiderate.

So	Therefore / Thus
He left the company, so we must find a replacement. Vs. He left the company, therefore we must find a replacement. He left the company, thus we must find a replacement.

Too	Overly
The new trainee was too optimistic. Vs. The new trainee was overly optimistic.

Adjectives

He was upset at the outcome.

Angry	Upset
He was angry at the outcome. Vs. He was upset at the outcome.

Beautiful	Attractive / Lovely
The interior decorating was beautiful. Vs. The interior decorating was attractive. The interior decorating was lovely.

Big	Enormous / Large / Significant
The event had a big impact on the future. Vs. The event had an enormous impact on the future. The event had a large impact on the future. The event had a significant impact on the future.

Cheap	Affordable / Budget-friendly
The desk was cheap. Vs.  The desk was affordable. The desk was budget-friendly.

Good	Beneficial
The result was good for everyone. Vs. The result was beneficial for everyone.

Happy	Ecstatic / Glad
He was happy about his promotion. Vs. He was ecstatic about his promotion. He was glad about his promotion.

Interesting	Fascinating / Noteworthy
Here are some interesting facts. Vs. Here are some fascinating facts. Here are some noteworthy facts.

Polite	Amiable / Well-mannered
The interviewer was very polite. Vs. The interviewer was very amiable. The interviewer was very well-mannered.

Poor	Less fortunate / Proletariat*
We should help the poor in our society. Vs. We should help the less fortunate in our society. *Proletariat is a term from Marxist theory that refers to the poor working class.

Rich	Wealthy / Bourgeoisie*
The rich should give to the poor.  Vs. The wealthy should give to the poor.  *Bourgeoisie is a term from Marxist theory that refers to members of society who control the means of production to serve their own interests.

Sad	Depressed / Mournful / Sorrowful
She was sad after her mother passed away. Vs. She was depressed after her mother passed away. She was mournful after her mother passed away. She was sorrowful after her mother passed away.

Small	Petite / Tiny
The dog was small.  Vs. The dog was petite. The dog was tiny.

Ugly	Unappealing / Unattractive
The dress was ugly. Vs. The dress was unappealing. The dress was unattractive.

Conjunctions

I like both apples and oranges.

And	Both… and…
I like apples and oranges. Vs. I like both apples and oranges.

Or	Either… or…
I want pizza or Chinese food.  Vs. I want either pizza or Chinese food.

Nor	Neither… nor…
I do not like pineapple nor water chestnuts.  Vs. I like neither pineapple nor water chestnuts.

Prepositions

About	Concerning / Regarding
May we have a talk about your son? Vs. May we have a talk concerning your son? May we have a talk regarding your son?

By	Near
He lives by my house. Vs. He lives near my house.

In spite of	Notwithstanding
In spite of the snow, the school opened at its normal time. Vs. Notwithstanding the snow, the school opened at its normal time.

From	Via
He got cash from the ATM. Vs. He got cash via the ATM.

6. Conclusion

Remember that your English learning journey is one with no definite end point—you can progress and learn as much as you want, and each achievement will feel like a major victory! We hope this article gave you some new vocabulary goals to work toward and has helped you take another step toward your life goals. 

Did you know any of these words already, or were they all new to you? As always, feel free to drop us a comment with any questions or concerns you have regarding the advanced English words we covered. 

Whatever direction your studies are taking, know that you can count on EnglishClass101 to provide you with fun, detailed lessons on every aspect of the English language. Speaking of, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming article series on beginner, intermediate, and advanced English phrases. 😉 In the meantime, you can also explore our advanced English course library and scope out the best lesson pathway for your studies. 

Happy learning!

You recently moved to the United States. Unfortunately, you get an incredibly painful toothache within your first week of residence. What should you do?

Hello. Thank you for calling Bright Smile Dental Clinic. This is Jenny. How may I help you?
*silence*
Hello? Hello?

Language barriers, especially on the phone, can be so inconvenient. Today, you will learn how to overcome such situations with common English phone call phrases.

Placing phone calls in English is easier than you think. For starters, phone call phrases are often routine. Therefore, learning the common ones in English will make calls easier to understand and respond to.

In this article, you’ll learn how to handle a phone call in English in both professional and casual contexts. By the conclusion, you will know how to:

• Answer the phone
• Make reservations and appointments
• Arrange a meeting with friends and acquaintances
• Leave a message
• Ask to speak to someone

Table of Contents

1. The Roles of a Caller and Receiver
2. Politeness on the Phone
3. Stating the Reason for Your Call
4. Ways to Speak to Someone During a Phone Call
5. How to End a Phone Call
6. Sample Phone Conversations
7. Subscribe to EnglishClass101.com!

1. The Roles of a Caller and Receiver

During phone calls, you play the role of either:

• Caller – the person making the phone call
• Receiver – the person answering the phone

The atmosphere of a call changes, depending on whether it is a casual or professional phone call. For close acquaintances, friends, family, and regular callers, it is advisable to add their phone numbers to your Caller ID. Additionally, mobile phones have the option to categorize callers from family members to coworkers.

Your role as a caller and receiver changes, depending on who you talk to via phone.

Let’s first review how you answer the phone as both the caller and receiver.

How to Say “Hello”

First of all, there is a very important word that you must say whenever placing or answering a phone call. 

Hello.

However, your tone changes depending on your role. If you are the caller, you must say “Hello” as a statement or a neutral tone. If you are the receiver, you will answer with “Hello” interrogatively, while saying the final syllable with a rising intonation.

Here is an example phone call as a caller.

Thank you for calling the Italian Bistro. This is Mike. How may I help you?
Hello. I would like to make a reservation for Friday night please.

Here is an example as a receiver.

Hello?
Hello. This is Jenny at the Bright Smile Dental Clinic, calling to confirm your appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

You will say “Hello” these ways when having business-related phone calls or talking to people who are unfamiliar. However, the calls are vastly different when answering or placing a call with a friend. With friends, “Hello” is a little too formal.

Hello?
Hey, this is Tyler!
Oh! Hi, Tyler! What’s up?
Are you free tonight?

When making the phone call, your friend will act familiar, unless they do not have your phone number saved in their Caller ID.

Hey! What’s up? I missed you!
Hi, Tyler! BTS’s concert ticket sales will go live in two hours! Should I buy one for you, too?

Those are the common phone calls in English. It always depends on who you are talking to. As you become familiar with these calls, it becomes easier.

Here are more ways to say “Hello.”

2. Politeness on the Phone

There are some rules for having phone calls in English, particularly in America.

Stating Who You Are

In America, it is common courtesy to state who you are first when you are placing a call. Never call someone and ask for their name first. Otherwise, it appears rude and may result in something similar to the following tense conversation:

Hello?
Hello. Is this Joseph?
Who wants to know?

When calling someone, always state your name before asking someone to reveal their identity.

Hello?
Hello. This is [your name], calling for Joseph. Is he available?
This is he.

On the contrary, it is advisable to not reveal your name before a caller. If this ever happens, always respond by asking, “May I ask who is calling?” If the caller refuses to reveal their name first, there is nothing wrong with simply hanging up and/or blocking the caller’s number.

However, if the caller introduces himself or herself first, it is courteous practice. Likely, if someone calls you, they want to speak with you specifically. Therefore, they will commonly ask “Is this [your name]?” or “Is [your name] available?” It is more formal to respond with “This is he/she.”

Here is an example conversation. 

Hello?
Hello. This is Kiki of Latimer Motors, calling for [your name]. Is she/he available?
This is he/she.
Hello, [your name]. We received your job application and want to schedule an interview with you.

If you are having professional phone calls, you would want to state your identity by mentioning your company name, too.

When answering the phone, you will say, “This is [company], [your name] speaking.” To express even more politeness, thank the caller beforehand.

Thank you for calling Latimer Motors. This is [your name]. How may I help you?

If you say these phrases during phone calls, you will appear nearly fluent in English.

Here is more info on how to introduce yourself on the phone in English.

3. Stating the Reason for Your Call

In order to have a successful English phone call conversation, you should be able to state the reason for your call.

You may want to ask a question.

I’m calling to ask if you have the Playstation 5 in stock.
I’d like to talk to someone about vehicle appraisals.
I am calling, because…

You can make appointments or reservations.

I’d like to make an appointment/reservation for [date].

It can also be as simple as returning a missed call.

This is [your name], returning your phone call.

Once you boost your vocabulary in English, it will be easier to express your wants and needs during phone calls. You can increase your vocabulary quickly with vocabulary lists on EnglishClass101.com!

4. Ways to Speak to Someone During a Phone Call

We touched on how to begin a phone conversation, but now we will review how to extend the phone conversation.

Asking to Speak to Someone

Perhaps there is a particular person that you would like to speak with. 

Imagine that you are looking for an attorney who specializes in personal injury. After searching for law firms nearby on Google, you located one that is rated 4.6 stars.

There are three common situations for phone calls similar to this one. If the main desk answers, the conversation will go like this:

Thank you for calling [name] Law Firm. This is Natalie. How may I direct your call?
May you please transfer me to [name]?

Maybe you dialed your friend’s number, but someone unfamiliar answered.

Hello?
Oh! Hello. This is [your name]. Is Tyler available?

Lastly, you can simply ask “May I speak to…” Once you learn how to ask to speak to someone, you must know the language for asking someone to wait.

Asking Someone to Wait

There are various reasons to ask someone to wait. Maybe the receiver has to check on an answer to a question.

If you are still anxious to know the availability of the Playstation 5, for example, you may hear either of the following common English phone call phrases:

• Just a moment, let me check.
• I am going to transfer you to the Electronics Department. Please hold.

In any situation, you will most likely hear this regularly said phrase.

Do you mind if I place you on a brief hold?

You may also hear the following:

Let me see if he/she is available. Please hold.
I am going to transfer you to his/her office. Please hold.

If you happen to be the receiver, you can practice those phrases, too. Hypothetically, if someone says something that you do not understand, you can always say, “Do you mind if I place you on a brief hold?” Then you can locate someone who can better assist the caller.

However, it is not polite to leave someone on hold for more than two minutes. Whether you are the receiver or caller, you should learn how to leave or take a message in such cases.

How to Leave and Take Messages

In cases where there is a long wait or the requested person is unavailable, you should take a message. A message consists of the caller’s name and callback number. Additionally, the message can have the caller’s reason for calling. However, the reason may be too personal. Therefore, do not ask for the reason. The caller will state the reason himself/herself.

You can take the message by saying the following:

[name] is unavailable at the moment. Can I take a message?

There are easier options, too, such as transferring the caller to the person’s voicemail. That way, they can leave their info independently.

If you are the caller and want to leave a message, you can say either of the following:

• Can you please transfer me to his/her voicemail?
• Can I leave a message?
• Can you please tell him/her to return my call?

Here is more info on how to leave messages via voicemail.

After taking and when leaving the message, you have to make sure the info is accurate. That is where clarification comes in!

Asking for Clarification

When taking messages, we always ask for clarification. The message must be accurate in order to deliver it appropriately.

There may be times when you cannot hear the caller. In these cases, you will say:

I’m sorry. Can you please repeat that?

If you sense a bad connection, you can say the phrase below:

I’m sorry, but I’m having a hard time hearing you. I think there’s a bad connection.

Sometimes, certain names can be complicated to spell.

Can I take a message?
Yes, please. My name is Ashleigh.

You may or may not know that the spelling is different from the common name “Ashley.” You can ask the person…

Could you spell your name for me please?

When asking for clarification in English, not only do we repeat, but we use phonetic alphabets. Phonetic alphabets are commonly used in telecommunications. It is a list of words used for identifying letters of the alphabet. For example, here is Ashleigh’s response.

Yes. That’s “A” as in “Adam,” “S” as in “Sam,” “H” as in “Henry,” “L” as in “Larry,” “E” as in “Edward,” “I” as in “igloo,” “G” as in “George,” and “H” as in “Henry.”

Is your name unique? If so, save the receiver the trouble by immediately spelling your name.

Can I take a message?
Yes, please. My name is [your name]. That’s…

Based on this easy phonetic alphabet chart, how do you spell your name?

A	Adam	K	Kate	U	Unicorn
B	Boy	L	Larry	V	Victor
C	Charlie	M	Mary	W	William
D	David	N	Nancy	X	X-ray
E	Edward	O	Oscar	Y	Yo-yo
F	Frank	P	Peter	Z	Zebra
G	George	Q	Queen
H	Henry	R	Robert
I	Igloo	S	Sam
J	John	T	Tom

When giving phone numbers in English, we often say it as an individual number. For example, we commonly read 234-567-8910 as 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-1-0. However, sometimes, a person may read the last four digits as tens. It would be read as 2-3-4-5-6-7-89-10. To make things easier for the receiver, say your phone number as individual numbers.

Also, it is always best to repeat for clarification.

Thank you. I’m going to repeat it to make sure everything is correct. That’s [repeat spelling of name conventionally] and [say phone number as individual numbers]. Is that right?

If it is not correct, the caller will repeat to provide the correction.

5. How to End a Phone Call

Lastly, it is time to learn how to end a phone conversation. The common way to end a conversation is with “Bye.” However, there are more phrases to end calls before saying “Bye.” It is practically a summary of the call, giving thanks, and/or offering additional help.

For professional phone calls, you will likely hear or say the following phrases:

Is there anything else I can help you with?
Your reservation/appointment is set for [date] at [time].
Thank you for calling [company]. Have a good day.
You have been very helpful. Thank you.

For friends, it is a lot more casual. With friends, either you end a long conversation with phrases like these…

• Talk to you later!
• It was great talking to you!
• Have a good day/night!

Or you say phrases confirming a meetup like these:

• I can’t wait to see you on [day]!
• See you then/later/soon! or See you on [day]!

In English, the very last word spoken on a phone call is Bye. Whether you’re having a formal or informal conversation, do not forget to say Bye.

6. Sample Phone Conversations

Here are two sample English phone call dialogues. The first one is informal, and the second one is formal.

Two friends are setting up a time to meet for brunch on a weekend.

Phone rings. The caller ID says “Tyler.”

– Hi, Tyler!
– Hi there! How’s it going?
– It’s going well! How about you?
– Same here! Are you free on Sunday morning at 11?
– No, I’m free. Why?
– There’s a German restaurant nearby that opened recently. Do you want to try their brunch menu together?
– That sounds great!
– Awesome! I’ll call and make the reservation now.
– Perfect! Thanks, Tyler!
– No problem! See you on Sunday!
– See you on Sunday! Bye!
– Bye!

Tyler calls the German restaurant.

– Thank you for calling Better Bratwurst. This is Jon. How may I help you?
– Yes. I’d like to make a reservation for two on Sunday morning at 11.
– Sure. May I have your name and phone number please?
– Yes. My name is Tyler. That’s “T” as in “Tom,” “Y” as in “Yo-yo,” “L” as in “Larry,” “E” as in “Edward,” and “R” as in “Robert.” My phone number is 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-1-0.
– Thank you for that information. I set your reservation for two on Sunday morning at 11. Is there anything else I – can help you with?
– No, that is all. Thank you so much.
– You’re very welcome. Thank you for calling Better Bratwurst. Have a good day.
– You too. Bye.

7. Subscribe to EnglishClass101.com!

Congratulations! You made it through your first lesson of common English phone call phrases! You now know how to answer the phone, state who you are, leave messages, and more! We hope you’re feeling more confident now, but let us know in the comments if there are any phrases or situations you’re still uncertain about. We’ll be glad to help! 

Why stop there? You can continue your English learning with EnglishClass101.com!

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• Master Speaking on the Phone with your American Friends
• Asking for Simple Business Information in English
• How to Ask For a Specific Person on the Phone in English

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A: “Have you seen Clara today?” B: “Yeah! She was at the…uhm…the…the community center.”

Have you ever had this happen to you during a conversation? 

Forgetting the word for something is common enough in one’s native language, but it can become a real struggle when speaking a foreign language. 

Vocabulary is the most essential element in being able to communicate with others. Knowing just a couple hundred words can help you express your needs and wants and allow you to talk with others.

In this article, we’ll introduce 245 basic English words for beginners. These are words that you should know at the beginner level (levels A1 and A2 of the CEFR scale). You will hear and use the words on this list every day!

Many of these words may be familiar to you already, and some of them may be new to you. We recommend taking note of any words you don’t recognize and adding them to a flashcard deck. 

Let’s get started.

A good vocabulary will help you communicate effectively in English and make friends!

Table of Contents

1. Pronouns
2. Numerals
3. Nouns
4. Verbs
5. Adjectives
6. Conjunctions
7. Final Thoughts

1. Pronouns

The first set of words you should add to your English vocabulary are pronouns. Many learners struggle to learn them, but they serve a few important functions. Pronouns are the words we use in place of nouns to make sentences smoother and to avoid redundancy of proper nouns. 

→ You can hear the pronunciation of different pronouns on our vocabulary list of the Most Useful Pronouns and learn how to use them in our Comprehensive Guide to English Pronouns.

Personal

#1

I	I make soup.

#2

You [s]

You make soup.

#3

He / She / It

He makes soup.

#4

We	We make soup.

#5

You [p]

You make soup.

#6

They	They make soup.

I make soup.

Demonstrative

#7

This	What is this?

#8

That	What is that?

#9

These

What are these?

#10

Those

What are those?

What is that?

Interrogative

#11

What	What does it mean?

#12

Who	Who are you?

#13

Where

Where is the bathroom?

#14

When	When is the meeting?

#15

Why	Why did you leave early?

#16

How	How do you feel?

Interrogative pronouns help you ask questions.

Reflexive

#17

Myself

I ate the pizza myself.

#18

Yourself

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

#19

Himself

He needs to take better care of himself.

#20

Herself

She went to the mall by herself.

#21

Ourselves

We were ashamed of ourselves.

#22

Yourselves

What will you do with yourselves?

#23

Themselves

They ate the whole pie themselves.

They ate the whole pie themselves.

2. Numerals

Numbers are everywhere, so it’s important that you know how to read numbers and talk about numbers out loud.

→ You can find a few more numbers in our Numbers vocabulary list and learn how to use them in our article Numbers in English. 

#24

One (1)

I’ll have one cookie, please.

#25

Two (2)

I’ll have two cookies, please.

#26

Three (3)

I’ll have three cookies, please.

#27

Four (4)

I’ll have four cookies, please.

#28

Five (5)

I’ll have five cookies, please.

#29

Six (6)

I’ll have six cookies, please.

#30

Seven (7)

I’ll have seven cookies, please.

#31

Eight (8)

I’ll have eight cookies, please.

#32

Nine (9)

I’ll have nine cookies, please.

#33

Ten (10)

I’ll have ten cookies, please.

I’ll have seven cookies, please.

3. Nouns

Nouns are the most important English words for beginners to learn. Even if you have a limited vocabulary, nouns can help you get your point across. 

In English, there are common nouns and proper nouns. Common nouns simply label an object or idea (boy, park, month). Proper nouns give a specific name to a common noun (Jim, Eisenhower Park, October). As you will notice, proper nouns are capitalized in English. 

You will see both types of nouns on this list.

→ Learn 100+ Must-Know Nouns in English with us and significantly expand your vocabulary!

People

#34

People

Who are those people?

#35

Man	That man is wearing a hat.

#36

Woman

That woman is wearing a scarf.

#37

Child

That child is playing a game.

#38

Husband

This is my husband, Roger.

#39

Wife	This is my wife, Ellen.

#40

Son	Here is our son, Thomas.

#41

Daughter

Here is our daughter, Susan.

#42

Grandmother

Is Grandmother doing well?

#43

Grandfather

Is Grandfather doing well?

#44

Brother

I have a younger brother.

#45

Sister

I also have a younger sister.

#46

Siblings

They are my siblings.

This is my wife, Ellen.

Occupations

#47

Work	That was hard work.

#48

Job	Do you have a job?

#49

Occupation

What is your occupation?

#50

Lawyer

Steve is a lawyer.

#51

Farmer

Sue is a farmer.

#52

Engineer

He is an engineer.

#53

Mechanic

She is a mechanic.

#54

Electrician

He wants to be an electrician.

#55

Designer

She wants to be a designer.

#56

Gardener

Her mother is a gardener.

#57

Doctor

His father was a doctor.

#58

Pharmacist

Polly works as a pharmacist.

#59

Plumber

David works as a plumber.

#60

Barber

David’s brother is a barber.

#61

Salesperson

Polly’s sister is a salesperson.

#62

Clerk

You are a good clerk.

His father was a doctor.

Time

#63

Time	What time is it?

#64

Second

A second is a very short unit of time.

#65

Minute

A minute is sixty seconds.

#66

Hour	An hour is sixty minutes.

#67

Day	What day is this?

#68

Week	I made cookies last week.

#69

Month

What are you doing next month?

#70

Year	Next year is full of opportunities.

#71

Monday

Monday is the first day of the work week.

#72

Tuesday

Tuesday is the second day of the work week.

#73

Wednesday

Wednesday is the third day of the work week.

#74

Thursday

Thursday is the fourth day of the work week.

#75

Friday

Friday is the fifth day of the work week.

#76

Saturday

Saturday is the first day of the weekend.

#77

Sunday

Sunday is the second day of the weekend.

#78

January

January is the first month.

#79

February

February is the second month.

#80

March

March is the third month.

#81

April

April is the fourth month.

#82

May	May is the fifth month.

#83

June	June is the sixth month.

#84

July	July is the seventh month.

#85

August

August is the eighth month.

#86

September

September is the ninth month.

#87

October

October is the tenth month.

#88

November

November is the eleventh month.

#89

December

December is the twelfth month.

Body Parts

#90

Head	My head hurts.

#91

Face	You have a pretty face.

#92

Neck	Her neck is sore.

#93

Shoulder

She dislocated her shoulder.

#94

Chest

Are you having chest pains?

#95

Arm	What happened to his arm?

#96

Hand	Let me see your hand.

#97

Finger

I cut my finger chopping vegetables.

#98

Leg	Don’t put pressure on your leg.

#99

Foot	Which foot did you hurt?

#100

Toe	I stubbed my toe.

#101

Stomach

My stomach is rumbling.

#102

Back	Sitting too much is bad for your back.

Her neck is sore.

Food

#103

Vegetable

Broccoli is my favorite vegetable.

#104

Fruit

Avocado is my favorite fruit.

#105

Grain

Quinoa is a healthy grain.

#106

Meat	She doesn’t eat meat.

#107

Dairy

Milk and cheese are dairy products.

#108

Egg	Crack the egg in the bowl.

#109

Oil	Put oil in the pan.

#110

Butter

Melt the butter in the microwave.

#111

Salt	Add salt to taste.

#112

Pepper

Add pepper to taste.

Add salt to taste.

Around Town

#113

Hospital

He is sick in the hospital.

#114

Supermarket

Can you pick up milk at the supermarket?

#115

School

I don’t want to go to school.

#116

Downtown

We can meet up downtown.

#117

Movie theater

We saw a film at the movie theater.

#118

Jail / Prison

She was taken to jail yesterday for a crime.

#119

Library

You must be quiet in the library.

#120

Community center

Our community center has a pool.

#121

Park	She took her son to the park.

#122

Restaurant

The food at the restaurant was wonderful!

#123

Mall	We can buy clothes at the mall.

#124

Car	You must travel there by car.

#125

Road	He walked up the road.

#126

Street

Make a left on the next street.

#127

Train

You must travel there by train.

#128

Bus	You must travel there by bus.

Can you pick up milk at the supermarket?

School and Office

#129

Desk	Ryan sat at his desk.

#130

Chair

Lily bought a new chair yesterday.

#131

Pencil

I need to sharpen this pencil.

#132

Pen	That pen is out of ink.

#133

Notebook

The notebook is full.

#134

Book	Turn to page 228 in your book.

#135

Paperclip

May I have a paperclip?

#136

Stapler

Use the stapler to keep the pages in order.

#137

Drawer

Put your sack lunch in the drawer.

#138

Cabinet

There’s more glue in the cabinet.

#139

Folder

Place the assignment in your folder.

#140

File	Which computer file do I open?

#141

Computer

This computer isn’t working.

#142

Keyboard

This keyboard is missing a letter.

#143

Mouse

I use an ergonomic mouse every day.

#144

Email

Have you received my email?

This computer isn’t working.

4. Verbs

When you use verbs and nouns together, you can form a complete sentence. Here are some of the most common English beginner verbs. 

→ We list plenty of verbs here, but if you want to learn more, read our article on 100+ Verbs in English!

Daily Routine

#145

Get up

I get up at six every morning.

#146

Brush (one’s) teeth

You should brush your teeth every day.

#147

Comb (one’s) hair

Did Peter comb his hair today?

#148

Get cleaned up

I should get cleaned up before dinner.

#149

Bathe

Does Emma bathe often?

#150

Shower

I shower after a workout.

#151

Eat	Lacy doesn’t eat much.

#152

Drink

I drink black tea in the morning.

#153

Go to work

What time do you go to work?

#154

Go to school

Do you still go to school?

#155

Work	I don’t like to work on the weekend.

#156

Study

Dan wants to study nutrition.

#157

Drive

Can Wendy drive yet?

#158

Ride	May I ride with you to work?

#159

Sleep

She needs to sleep more.

You should brush your teeth every day.

Other Common Verbs

#160

Give	Let me give you this present.

#161

Get	Can you get the remote for me?

#162

Bring

Did you bring her the flowers?

#163

Return

Eric forgot to return the library book.

#164

Do	Does Sherri do yoga?

#165

Use	How do you use that device?

#166

Make	Tori makes dinner every night.

#167

Can	I can speak a little Spanish.

#168

Put	Where did you put the scissors?

#169

Let	Why won’t he let me help?

#170

Leave

The angry man was asked to leave.

#171

Ask	May I ask you a question?

#172

Tell	She promised not to tell the secret.

#173

Talk	Harry and Helen need to talk.

#174

Find	Did you find your cell phone yet?

#175

Greet

He didn’t greet me.

#176

Smile

You should smile more.

#177

Run	They run together every morning.

#178

Sit	Where can I sit?

#179

Lie down

He is sick and needs to lie down.

#180

Rest	After the hike, she needed to rest.

#181

Cook	Do you know how to cook?

#182

Read	I like to read books sometimes.

#183

Write

It is hard to write a book.

#184

Go out

I need to go out to the grocery store.

#185

Shop	Lucy shops at the mall often.

#186

Buy	We need to buy more clothing.

#187

Watch

They watch movies at night.

#188

Listen

I listen to music while I work.

#189

Feel	She feels sad today.

#190

Think

They think it’s a bad idea.

#191

Agree

Do you agree with them?

#192

Disagree

I disagree with them.

#193

Open	What time does the coffee shop open?

#194

Close

Please close the door.

They run together every morning.

5. Adjectives

Adjectives are used to describe nouns. Here are the most useful English beginner adjectives.

→ If these aren’t enough for you, read our article on 100+ Adjectives in English!

Describing Objects

#195

Big	Arizona has big spiders.

#196

Small

Our neighbor’s dog is small.

#197

Long	This is a long list of words.

#198

Short

He read a short book.

#199

Round

The basketball is round.

#200

Flat	The ground here is flat.

#201

Narrow

He made a narrow escape from prison.

#202

Wide	That road is very wide.

#203

Hard	My desk is hard.

#204

Soft	The blanket is soft.

#205

Light

The sky is light blue.

#206

Dark	It will be dark outside soon.

#207

Cheap

These pencils are cheap.

#208

Expensive

That sofa is expensive.

The basketball is round.

Describing People

#209

Good	He is a good person.

#210

Bad	She is a bad person.

#211

Pretty

Sarah looks very pretty.

#212

Handsome

Richard looks very handsome.

#213

Tall	That boy is tall.

#214

Short

The other boy is short.

#215

Thin	Karen is too thin; she should eat more.

#216

Fat	Mike is too fat; he should exercise more.

#217

Kind	Linda is a kind person.

#218

Mean	Quinten is a mean person.

#219

Polite

Mary is always polite to others.

#220

Rude	Elliot is rude to his mother.

Linda is a kind person.

Describing Emotions

#221

Happy

Eating good food makes me happy.

#222

Sad	Kelly is sad after her breakup.

#223

Angry

Louis becomes angry too easily.

#224

Tired

They were tired after work.

#225

Upset

I was upset when I spilled the soup.

#226

Excited

Cecilia was excited for the camping trip.

Kelly is sad after her breakup.

Describing Weather

#227

Sunny

Today it was sunny.

#228

Cloudy

Washington is always cloudy.

#229

Rainy

I don’t go outside when it’s rainy.

#230

Foggy

It was too foggy to drive.

#231

Windy

The trees bend when it’s windy.

#232

Hot	The desert is very hot.

#233

Cold	It gets cold in the winter.

#234

Warm	It is warm where I live.

#235

Cool	The autumn air is cool.

It was too foggy to drive.

6. Conjunctions

Conjunctions are small words that allow you to connect two or more clauses to each other. Due to their essential role in language, they’re among the most important words every English beginner must know. Here are a few common ones.

→ Study our article What is a Conjunction in English Grammar? to learn more about how these little words work!

#236

And	I love chocolate and red wine.

#237

But	He likes fruit, but not bananas.

#238

Or	Do you want Chinese food or Mexican food?

#239

If	If he says yes, then I will be happy.

#240

Then	If he says yes, then I will be happy.

#241

Because

We left early because of an appointment.

#242

So	Mark lied so he wouldn’t get in trouble.

#243

Before

I eat breakfast before work.

#244

After

I make dinner after work.

#245

Than	She likes cake more than Nina does.

He likes fruit, but not bananas.

7. Final Thoughts

You just read 245 simple English words for beginners and saw them used in sentences. What are your thoughts? Were any of these words new to you?

The best way to memorize them is to create your free lifetime account with EnglishClass101.com and add them to your Flashcards. Our spaced repetition flashcard system is a proven method for easily memorizing new words. You can also create your own flashcards using index cards or another online system. 

Alternatively, you can write these words on sticky notes and place them around your house on the object they identify or describe. This will help you quickly start to associate the word with its definition because you’ll see the words all day long! 

We know that learning new vocabulary can be hard. But we encourage you not to give up! EnglishClass101 will be here with you every step of the way with help and useful resources.

Keep studying and practicing so that you’ll be ready for our upcoming articles on Intermediate Words and Advanced Words!

Happy learning and stay safe out there.

The professor walks into the lecture hall.

“Okay, class. Umm, clear your desks. It is time for your pop quiz. So basically, it’s not as hard as the last test. Well… It could be depending on how hard you studied. Now let’s get started. We, like, don’t have all day.”

If you were a student in that lecture hall, could you take the professor seriously? The professor used almost every English filler word on the planet.

How often do you listen to your speech? Whether in professional or casual settings, do you pay attention to your spoken words? Or the ones you’re hearing?

Chances are that you routinely use filler words too. We all do.

You may naturally be aware of filler words in daily conversations, especially if you are the epitome of a skilled public speaker. Educational organizations, such as Toastmasters International or TED Talks, discourage filler words because when they are used excessively, they can distract from the main message and reduce credibility.

In today’s article, we will review the top 10 most common filler words in the English language.

Table of Contents

1. What are Filler Words and Why Do We Use Them?
2. Filler Word #1: “Like”
3. Filler Word #2: “I mean…”
4. Filler Word #3: “So basically…”
5. Filler Word #4: “You know…”
6. Filler Word #5: “…Umm/Uh/Er…”
7. Filler Word #6: “Well…”
8. Filler Word #7: “…Okay/So…”
9. Filler Word #8: “Now…”
10. Filler Word #9: “Or something (like that)…”
11. Filler Word #10: “…I guess…”
12. Pros and Cons of Filler Words
13. How to Eliminate Filler Words
14. Conclusion

1. What are Filler Words and Why Do We Use Them?

Filler words are commonly known as words used in speech to express hesitation or the need for more time to think.

There are a number of other uses as well. The following are also functions of filler words:

• Speak indirectly to avoid conflict
• Approach sensitive topics, such as politics
• Emphasize opinions and ideas
• Hint at emotions or behaviors
• Express uncertainty

If you are a non-native English speaker, it is especially helpful to learn filler words. By learning filler words, you will be able to identify them by listening. You will also know when and when not to use filler words yourself. 

If you use the right filler word at an appropriate time, you will sound more like a native speaker. This especially helps as you are becoming familiar with English. Once you learn more vocabulary and advance in English, you will be able to lessen the amount of filler words you speak.

As you will notice, different English filler words are used for different purposes; they each have their own unique meaning and usage.

2. Filler Word #1: “Like”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
may or may not be true	when you’re not exactly sure or have a hard time describing something	“What was his name again?” “It was, like, Justin or something.”
extra emphasis when comparingor describing things	when you want to exaggerate a comparison or description	“COVID-19 is like something I never imagined.”
“Like” is an overused filler word in English, used in both formal and informal settings. It is commonly spoken by Generation Y, also known as millennials, and Generation Z.

3. Filler Word #2: “I mean…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
to express emphasis to a statement	to strengthen your opinion or statement	“ I failed the biology exam today.” “I mean, you can always study harder for the next test.”
to make a correction (sometimes to lie)	to correct oneself or lie	“Where is he?””He went to the store. I mean, he went to school.”
“I mean” is generally said to emphasize how one feels about something. When it is used to express honesty, it can sometimes be quite brutal. Take this statement for an example. I mean, I never liked your cooking in the first place. It is mostly used while making corrections. However, it can sometimes be used to change the truth into a lie or vice versa. Therefore, the listener may not take the speaker seriously.

4. Filler Word #3: “So basically…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
to give an accurate account of a situation or statement	to give a more detailed explanation (generally used in the beginning of a sentence)	“So basically… The man was kicked out of the aircraft for refusing to wear a mask.”
to give further instructions	to give instructions that are easier to understand	“I can’t afford to give each of my 30 students a family pack of candy.” “So basically… All you have to do is buy one family size bag of candy and distribute it evenly among the students.”
“So basically” is mostly used when telling stories or giving instructions. Therefore, when you hear someone begin a sentence with “So basically,” expect to get lots of details.

5. Filler Word #4: “You know…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
to refer to something already known	asking for confirmation	“This book is a New York Times bestseller, you know?”
to prove something to someone	to help someone understand what you mean	“You know, last night’s party was really lame and tiring.”
“You know” is said when the speaker assumes that the listener already knows something. It is also used to further explain how you feel or what you mean.

6. Filler Word #5: “…Umm/Uh/Er…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
expressing hesitation	when you don’t want to respond	“Do these pants make me look fat?” “Uh…”
added pause in speech	when you need more time to think about what you’re going to say	*giving presentation at meeting* “Today, we are going to review last week’s…Umm…sales.”
“Umm,” “uh,” and “er” are used to fill awkward silence. It is spoken when either the listener doesn’t want to cause conflict with someone or needs more time to think.

7. Filler Word #6: “Well…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
to think about your next words	to get more time to think or stall	“Well… Alright, I will extend the deadline by another week.”
to mark the end of a conversation	to end a conversation	“Well, it was nice talking to you! Bye!”
“Well” can be used when you want to make a quick decision but need to think about it first. It can also be a polite way to end a conversation.

8. Filler Word #7: “…Okay/So…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
marks the start of a conversation or idea	to start a new topic	“So why did the two singers argue at the Oscars?”
to give instructions	when you want to give details or instructions	“Okay, so let’s turn to page 78. Who wants to read the first paragraph? Okay, Jonathan?”
to give a summary	when you prepare to summarize an event	“So, yesterday, I went to Starbucks to study Korean, and the barista asked everyone to wear their masks.”
When someone is preparing to start a new topic, give instructions, or provide a summary, he or she starts a sentence with “So” or “Okay, so…”

9. Filler Word #8: “Now…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
to give instructions or introduce an idea	when you want to start a conversation	“Now… What is the main idea of the story?”
to express confusion	when you’re in wonder	“Now how did my laptop end up on the bathroom floor?”
to give honesty on changes needed to something or someone	when you need to be honest about a situation	“Now you have to stop smoking. It is bad for your health.”
“Now,” as a filler word, is used at the beginning of a sentence. Like most filler words in English, it is used to lighten a statement to not cause offense. It is also a marker to the start of a conversation. Lastly, when something seems bizarre or confusing, the speaker may begin their statement with “Now.”

10. Filler Word #9: “Or something (like that)…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
to give similarities	to provide examples	“If you want to watch a sad romance, you should watch The Notebook or something like that.”
to give a guess	when you’re not entirely sure what something is	“Her job is IT-related and consists of coding or something like that.”
This filler phrase is usually used to keep a conversation active and interesting.  “Or something (like that)” leaves the listener with many options of comparisons or guesses to what the speaker is referencing. Once the listener has a clear understanding, given the examples provided by the speaker, he or she is left with many options and choices.

11. Filler Word #10: “…I guess…”

Meaning	When to Use	Example
affirmation but without certainty	when you’re not entirely sure about something	“I guess he overslept, because he is an hour late for work today.”
to express no harm done or will be done	used as reassurance that everything will be fine	“I guess it’s okay for you to use my car this weekend.”
“I guess” is used to make light of situations, in case it’s not true or harmful.

12. Pros and Cons of Filler Words

You now learned the top 10 most common English filler words, their meaning, and their usage. 

As you can see, filler words are not terrible. However, they are highly discouraged.

Here are the reasons why.

Pros

You appear gentle during talks of sensitive topics, such as politics and controversial issues.

Usage of some filler words like “I mean” and “okay/so” may lighten the mood during tense conversations. It’s understood that by using filler words, the speaker intends to speak with added politeness and respect and to minimize any perceived aggression. 

Take this conversation as an example.

Speaker 1: Did you see the first 2020 U.S. Presidential Debate? The moderator did such a poor job.

Speaker 2: I mean, he did the best he could. I doubt any other moderator could have calmed down the president.

Other than politics, conversations about other people or special events can be taken lightly, such as some of the sample sentences above.

People are more likely to understand what you say, whether you answer directly or not.

Usually, when people are direct, the listener may not understand where they are coming from. By using filler words like “or something like that” and “you know,” the listener is prepared to hear further details and comparisons.

Here’s a conversation as an example.

Speaker 1: It saddened me that Chadwick Boseman passed away.

Speaker 2: Who?

Speaker 1: He played Black Panther. You know, Black Panther is one of the Avengers from Marvel.

Speaker 2: Oh no! Black Panther passed away?! I’m so sad!

Filler words mark the start of further explanations, which are always helpful in conversations.

It makes you seem fluent in a language, because it is naturally used by native speakers in daily conversations.

Depending on your level in English, you could easily trick people into thinking you’re a native English speaker. Once you master the meanings and usage of English filler words, it will become second nature. You will begin using filler words like a pro!

Your first step can be to learn the filler words from the list above!

Cons

You will be seen as unreliable and dishonest.

Usage of filler words is not always natural. As the speaker, you want to display your true self and personality. When you use filler words, especially excessively, you appear unreal to your audience.

Filler words have the disadvantage of making you seem distracted and dishonest. If someone wants an answer to a question or your opinion on a certain issue, it will be disappointing to hear you hesitate and fill your response with filler words.

It is especially upsetting during a speech. If you want the audience to understand your point of view, using filler words will not deliver your message clearly. It will cause the audience to lose interest and decrease your credibility.

It is unprofessional and puts you at the bottom of the hiring pool.

Employers often seek ideal employees with honesty and great speaking skills. By confidently speaking with little to no filler words, you impress the employer with your excellent communication skills. On the other hand, if you constantly hesitate or speak filler words during a job interview, employers will sense a lack of responsibility.

If you have an upcoming job interview, do yourself a favor and practice answering frequently asked questions beforehand.

Your speech will bore your listener(s).

Your goal as the speaker is to convey a message to your listener. Imagine the listener eager to hear what you have to say, but you use 1-2 filler words like “Umm” and “like” per sentence. It will create disappointment for the listener, because in addition to the heavy usage of filler words, you wasted his or her time by not having fluid speech.

13. How to Eliminate Filler Words

Like all bad habits, eliminating or reducing the number of filler words from your speech will not be easy. However, by following these three tips, you will become a better speaker and increase your charisma.

Awareness

Become aware of the filler words you use most often and how you tend to use them. Take a mental note of how often you speak them and which filler words you use the most. As you continue to have conversations, you will become more conscious of your speech and know to eliminate your filler words.

For the moment, replace your filler words with pauses. Learn to be okay with pauses, but avoid holding long pauses of five seconds or more. If you sense a long pause in a casual conversation, prepare an honest excuse, such as “I apologize. I forgot what I was going to say.” On the contrary, if it is during a presentation, move onto the next part of the speech that you remember. The listeners will understand.

In order to prevent the pauses, consider the next two tips.

Role Play

Whether you have a presentation or job interview in the near future, role play in the mirror or with a trustworthy source (e.g. a mentor or close friend). Practice your speech or presentation as much as necessary, which will enable you to speak flowingly on the big day.

You can also go the extra mile and prepare answers for questions that you will likely be asked. That is one reason to have an audience during your practice rounds.

Increase Vocabulary

What is the word I am looking for? It’s on the tip of my tongue.

How often do you share that thought when speaking? It is possible that you actually lack vocabulary.

One surefire way to increase your vocabulary is by downloading apps that involve studying with spaced-repetition system (SRS) flashcards. SRS is a method in which you see a vocabulary word repeatedly during different intervals. It allows you to remember words and burn them into your brain. 
For example, you learn the word simultaneously. At first you will see the word again in a few minutes. Later, if simultaneously appears before you again and you remember the definition, you will see the flashcard again in a few days, weeks, or months.

On EnglishClass101, you will find numerous vocabulary lists with different themes. Best of all, you can add these words to flashcard decks on our site to study with SRS.

Also, subscribe to Learn English with EnglishClass101.com on Youtube. Its Youtube channel includes ways to start conversations in English with phrases and vocabulary. Take the video “Learn Over 100 English Words for Daily Conversation!,” for instance. It features 100 English words for daily conversations, and a number of them are advanced, including the word “esoteric.” As you will learn from the video, esoteric means “something that requires specialized knowledge.”

As your vocabulary improves, you will cleverly replace filler words with them.

14. Conclusion

Believe it or not. 

Learning new languages will cause you to become more aware of how you speak. When learning a new language, you learn important factors, such as vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. 

That is where Innovative Language comes in!

By subscribing to Premium PLUS on EnglishClass101 or any of our 34 language courses, you will have access to your own personal teacher and assignments. From thousands of audio lessons to our Core Word Lists, you will learn a new language in an enjoyable way!

Start speaking a new language almost immediately by shadowing with our line-by-line audio. Take advantage of our free resources as well!

From learning about filler words to understanding blog entries, you have everything you need to learn about your target language at your fingertips!

Happy learning with EnglishClass101!

Were any of the filler words unfamiliar to you? What are some equivalent filler words in your native language? Let us know in the comments!