New Year’s Eve in the United States is a day of great celebration in anticipation of the coming year. Spirits are high, and there’s a sense of warmth and excitement just about everywhere!

In this article, you’ll learn all about New Year’s Eve celebrations in the United States—what happens during the countdown to midnight, New Year’s Eve traditional meals, the Times Square Ball Drop, and much more!

At EnglishClass101.com, we aim to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative, starting with this article!

Are you ready? Let’s get started.

1. What is New Year’s Eve?

New Year’s Eve, as you guessed already, is the evening before New Year’s Day. Arguably, people actually celebrate far more on New Year’s Eve than they do on New Year’s Day!

The beginning of a new year is significant for many people. The New Year is often associated with new opportunities, better chances to succeed, and a perfect time to start bettering oneself.

2. When is New Year’s Eve?

The United States celebrates the new year on the Gregorian calendar. New Year’s Eve is on December 31 each year, and celebrations begin that evening as people wait for January 1.

3. New Year’s Eve Traditions in America

As New Year’s Eve isn’t an official holiday, many people do have to work on this day. But rest assured, once they get off work, the celebrations begin!

New Year’s Eve customs and traditions do vary slightly by region, but here’s a breakdown of what you can expect across the country.

1- New Year’s Eve Parties

This often takes the form of New Year’s Eve parties, where family, friends, or even coworkers, get together and prepare for the New Year. There’s music, talking, and lots of drinking until midnight or later. Sometimes, a toast (or several) is made during the final few minutes before midnight—and once midnight strikes, there’s more drinking and people throwing confetti to celebrate!

2- Holiday Foods

For those who prefer a quieter night by themselves or with family, New Year’s Eve traditions at home often include preparing a nice, comforting dinner at home. Some people enjoy traditional winter holiday foods on New Year’s Eve: Turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, yams, and almost always some kind of sweet dessert. Growing up, I remember sometimes having a simple beef stew or chili for New Year’s Eve dinner.

Preferred holiday foods do vary by region, though. Depending on where you are in the U.S., you may be surprised at the foods you find on the table!

3- Fireworks & Parades

Many people enjoy watching fireworks at midnight. Firework displays vary in complexity and length based on the state, city, or town you’re in. Those who live in rural areas sometimes choose to drive an hour or more to bigger cities with more spectacular firework displays.

Obviously, the combination of long drives and many people drinking is hazardous, and much caution should be taken. Ad campaigns warn about the dangers of drunk driving, and some organizations offer free cab rides home to fight against drunk driving.

Parades are another popular New Year’s Eve celebration, with a variety of them taking place all around the U.S.

4- Dropping of the Ball

Perhaps the most well-known American New Year’s Eve tradition is the dropping of the ball. This takes place at midnight in New York City’s Times Square. Because this is a televised event, it allows people from different time zones all across the country to celebrate the New Year with a greater sense of unity—and from the comfort of their homes! A popular celebrity is always in attendance for the ball drop to get more people to show up or view from home.

Around the country, some states and cities have their own version of the ball drop. These reflect the various cultures throughout the United States and allow people to ring in the New Year close to home. For example, in Prescott, Arizona, instead of a ball dropping, it’s a cowboy boot!

4. New Year’s Resolutions

As mentioned earlier, many people associate the New Year with new chances to succeed and to better themselves. Thus, they often make a vow to themselves (or others) about changes they’re going to make in their lives or goals they’re going to achieve.

These are called “New Year’s Resolutions,” and some of the most common ones are:

• Losing weight
• Finding a better job or getting a raise
• Stopping a bad habit like smoking
• Becoming a better ___ (worker, spouse, friend)

Unfortunately, most people fail to live up to their New Year’s Resolutions—in fact, many people fail their Resolutions in only a few days!

For this reason, New Year’s Resolutions aren’t taken very seriously anymore, and are more of a sad cliche than anything.

5. Must-Know Vocabulary for New Year’s

Here’s some essential English vocabulary for New Year’s Eve celebrations!

• Year
• Midnight
• New Year’s Day
• Party
• Champagne
• Confetti
• Firework
• Dancing
• Celebration
• Toast
• New Year’s Eve
• Countdown
• Resolution
• New Year’s holiday
• Parade

To hear each vocabulary word pronounced, and to read them alongside relevant images and in example sentences, be sure to check out our New Year’s vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

Are New Year’s Eve events in the United States similar or different to those in your country? Tell us in the comments what some of your favorite New Year’s traditions are! We look forward to hearing from you. 🙂

If you would like to learn even more about United States culture, or maybe some vocabulary for the remaining wintery season, you may find the following pages useful:

• Top 5 Pop Culture Things/Icons You Need to Know About in the USA
• How to Read Body Language in the United States
• Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions
• Words for Winter Snow Days
• Winter Clothes

Learning English doesn’t have to be boring or overwhelming—with EnglishClass101.com, it can even be fun! If you’re serious about mastering English, create your free lifetime account today.

Happy English learning, and a Happy New Year! 😀

Studying how to describe family is important because family are the closest people to you, and in some ways they can even be considered an extension of yourself. It’s likely you’ll want to talk about your family at least a little while in the United States, and even more likely that you’ll be asked questions about your family as you start to make friends. By studying family descriptors in English, you’re preparing yourself for this.

So, let’s get started! Learn some important family vocabulary for American English family members with EnglishClass101.com!

Table of Contents

1. Family in American English
2. Family Member Terms and Basic Phrases to Use
3. American English Immediate Family & American English Extended Family
4. Family Terms for Married People
5. Endearment Terms
6. Common Family Proverbs
7. Conclusion

1. Family in American English

As with anywhere in the world, the concept of family in the United States has its own set of characteristics and expectations. So before we delve into the actual vocabulary for family, let’s go over a few unique facets of the American English family that may be helpful to know.

1- Is Family a Strong Institution in the United States?

On some level, family is a strong institution in the United States, though it seems to be decreasing in importance. While most people do love and care about their family members, it’s certainly common to like some of them more than others. Furthermore, as an individualistic country, it’s becoming more common to cut people who are “toxic” out of your life, making family bonds somewhat conditional.

That said, there are many who still consider family to be the most important thing, and the concept of family being there for each other no matter what is still common.

2- Does Age Difference Count?

This question is up for debate in the United States.

There are some people who believe age difference always matters, and those who are younger must always respect those who are older. For example, when it comes to parents and children, many traditional or conversative families strongly believe that children must respect their parents.

However, there’s also an increasingly common concept of age not mattering too much. While it’s thought by most people that young children should be under their parents’ or guardians’ control/protection, some also believe that children should have equal or near-equal respect as adults. Furthermore, it’s becoming more and more common for children to disrespect their elders (though this is usually frowned-upon).

Usually, when it comes to adults in the family, age isn’t considered too great a factor overall.

3- Other Factors to Consider

Friends are commonly referred to as being like family, and it’s common for people to refer to people as “father-figures” or “mother-figures” in a country where single-parenting is quite common. Also, people often think of their pets as members of the family.

2. Family Member Terms and Basic Phrases to Use

Now that you have a better idea of how family in the United States is, let’s take a look at basic words to describe a family member’s relationship to you. As you learn about family, English vocabulary like that below is essential to have stored in your memory. Keep in mind that in the United States, anyone who’s related to you is called your “relative.”

Without further ado, here’s a list of basic English language family member terms you should know, including “son” in English. Later, we’ll go into more detail on family vocabulary in English; this just to give you an idea of how to say members of the family in English.

1- List of Family Member Names:

• Mother
• Father
• Parents
• Brother
• Sister
• Son
• Daughter
• Grandson
• Granddaughter
• Grandparents
• Grandmother
• Grandfather
• Great-grandmother
• Great-grandfather
• Uncle
• Aunt
• Great-uncle
• Great-aunt
• Nephew
• Niece

2- Phrases to Use

Chances are, you’ll find yourself wanting to talk about your family while you’re in the United States. (If not, you’ll probably need to talk about them a little bit anyway if people ask questions.) Here are a few basic phrases you can use to describe your family and your relationship with them. Hopefully this will also help you learn some family-related words in English!

• “I have a [family member].” or “I have ___ [family members].”

  This phrase states the fact that you have a specific family member. For example, you could say: “I have a sister.”

  Or, if you have more than one sister, you could say: “I have three sisters.”

  Further, you can compound this sentence to say that you have two different types of family members. For example, you could say: “I have a sister and a brother.”

• “My [family member] is ___ [adjective].”

  Use this phrase to describe directly how a certain family member is. This can be used in two basic contexts.

  The first is when someone asks you, “How’s your brother (or sister, or father, etc.) doing?” To this you could respond, “My brother is doing well.”

  The second context is when you’re simply describing these family members to someone. In this instance, you could say something like, “My mother is a perfectionist,” or “My uncle is funny.”

  This helps people get a better idea of the family you grew up with.



• “I love my [family member or family members].”

  Use this phrase to express affection or love for one or more of your family members. When talking to someone about your family, you may say something like, “I love my mother,” or “I love my siblings.”

  Further, you could generalize this sentence to simply say, “I love my family.”

• “My [family member]’s name is ___.”

  Depending on who you’re talking with and how much you want to tell them about your family, you could also include what their names are.

  For example, you could say, “My great grandmother’s name is Maria,” or “My brother’s name is Tyler.”

  Of course, if you’re not comfortable sharing your family members’ names or simply don’t get the opportunity to, there’s no problem with that at all.

• “My [family member] is ___ [age].”

  You can use this phrase to describe your family members’ ages. For example, if you’re talking about your cute little sister, you could say, “My little sister is seven. She’s so cute!”

• “I’m the oldest/youngest/middle child of ___ kids/siblings.”

  This phrase is a little bit more complex. But let’s say that after talking about your little sister, the person you’re talking with wants to know how many siblings you have and whether they’re older or younger.

  You could incorporate the first phrase we went over with this new phrase to answer their question (with slight alterations), or simply use this newer phrase alone. Here’s an example conversation if you were to include the first phrase:

  You: “My little sister is seven. She’s so cute!”
  Friend: “Aw! How many siblings do you have? Are they all younger?”
  You: “I have two siblings. I’m the middle child.”

  Or, to simply use this phrase alone:

  You: “I’m the middle child of three kids.”

• “My [family member] and I don’t get along very well.”

  Maybe there’s a family member you don’t quite get along with (we all have at least one!). If this happens to come up in a conversation, you could say something along the lines of, “My mother and I don’t get along very well,” and then maybe go into some more detail if you feel comfortable with the person you’re talking to.

• “Do you want to meet my [family member] (or simply family)?”

  You probably shouldn’t use this phrase when meeting someone for the first time, as it can seem too forward (or even creepy) to invite someone to meet your family so soon. An invitation like this should wait until after a few meetings and until a closer relationship has been formed with this person.

  Once this has been established, there’s usually no problem inviting someone to meet your family. It can even be seen as a polite gesture and there’s a chance that you’ll one day get invited to meet their family too.

  Here’s an example conversation using this phrase:

  You: “My children are coming to visit this weekend. Do you want to meet my family?”
  Friend: “Sure. What time should I come over? I’ll bring something to eat.”

• “I miss my [family member] (or simply family).”

  Homesickness: Some people are more prone to it than others, but we all miss one family member or another at some point. You can use this phrase to express this to someone.

  For example, maybe you’ve just been talking about your grandmother; her sweet nature, how excellent her cooking is, all the dice games you’d play… you’re about to tear up right now. You could say, “I miss my grandmother,” to express how you’re feeling.

• “My [family member] is a ___ (job title)” or “My [family member] does ___ for a living.”

  If you want to be a little offbeat in your family conversation (or if it just happens to come up), you can talk about what a family member does for a living. Here are some family expressions in English using both of the options above.

  1. “My mother is an accountant.”
  2. “My son does carpentry for a living.”
  3. “My aunt is a teacher.”
  4. “My cousin does restaurant critiquing for a living.”

3. American English Immediate Family & American English Extended Family

Near the beginning of this article, we went over various names for family members. Now, we’ll go into a little more detail about how each of these relatives are related to you. Consider this list of family members in English a sort of English word family dictionary.

1- Basic Terms

• Mother Meaning: Your “mother” is your female parent.
• Father Meaning: Your “father” is your male parent.
• Grandfather Meaning: Your “grandfather” is your mother or father’s father.
• Grandmother Meaning: Your “grandmother” is your mother or father’s mother.
• Son Meaning: Your “son” is your male child.
• Daughter Meaning: Your “daughter” is your female child.
• Grandson Meaning: Your “grandson” is your son or daughter’s male child.
• Granddaughter Meaning: Your “granddaughter” is your son or daughter’s female child.
• Brother Meaning: Your “brother” is your male sibling.
• Sister Meaning: Your “sister” is your female sibling.
• Uncle Meaning: Your “uncle” is your mother or father’s brother.
• Aunt Meaning: Your “aunt” is your mother or father’s sister.
• Cousin Meaning: Your “cousin” is the child of an uncle or aunt.
• Niece Meaning: Your “niece” is your brother or sister’s female child.
• Nephew Meaning: Your “nephew” is your brother or sister’s male child.

2- Additional Notes

There’s a common phrase relating to family members that may be helpful for you to know: “On my father’s/mother’s side.”

In truth, it may be a rare occasion that you actually use this phrase, but it’s used frequently enough in the United States that it’s good to know.

This phrase simply indicates which “side” of your family a relative you’re talking about is on. For example, when you’re talking about a favorite aunt, the person you’re talking to may not know whether you mean your father’s or mother’s sister. But if you say, “My aunt on my mother’s side,” it becomes clear that you’re talking about your mother’s sister and not your father’s.

4. Family Terms for Married People

1- Basic Terms

When you get married, you gain not only your spouse but their whole family. Let’s go over some family terms for married people:

• Wife: Your “wife” is your female spouse.
• Husband: Your “husband” is your male spouse.
• Daughter: Your “daughter” is your female child.
• Son: Your “son” is your male child.

2- In-Laws

We mentioned that when you marry, you gain your spouse’s family. In the United States, there’s a special term we use for family members who are now yours through marriage to your spouse: “In-laws.”

Your spouse’s sister becomes your sister-in-law, their mother and father become your mother-in-law and father-in-law respectively, and so on.

3- Steps

Furthermore, in the United States it’s increasingly common for previously divorced individuals with children to marry. This is where “Steps” come in. “Steps” are family members who you’ve gained through a parent’s marriage rather than your own.

For example, let’s say your previously divorced mother gets remarried to a man who has a daughter. This man would now be your “stepfather,” and his daughter would be your “stepsister.” These are people who now are “related” to you through law after your mother remarried, but have no actual biological ties with you.

5. Endearment Terms

In the United States, they sometimes like to use “terms of endearment” for family members, especially those they are particularly fond of. While endearment terms can vary as much as people themselves, here are just a few of the most common for various family members (note that there are a lot of Grandmother synonyms!):

1- Basic

• Father: Dad, Daddy, Pa, Pop
• Mother: Mom, Mommy, Ma
• Brother: Bro
• Sister: Sis
• Grandfather: Grandpa, Granddad, Gramps, G-pa
• Grandmother: Grandma, Granny, Grams, Grammy, G-ma
• Aunt: Aunty, Auntie
• Uncle: Unc, Unk
• Cousin: Cous, Cuz

2- Spouse, Significant Other, or Other Close Family Member

• Dear
• Darling
• Sweetie
• Sugar
• Honey (or Hon)

Also, keep in mind that nicknames are a common form of endearment when referring to or talking with a family member. These nicknames can be just about anything.

6. Common Family Proverbs

In the United States, and around the world, proverbs about family are abundant. Here are just a few of the most common ones used in the United States, along with their basic meaning.

1- “Like father, like son.”

This proverb is one of the most common, and means that a person’s child tends to be a lot like them. This may be especially true of fathers and sons, and mothers and daughters. Genetics combined with careful observation of parents’ actions and attitudes make for children who largely resemble their parents in life.

2- “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

This proverb is similar to the one above, with essentially the same meaning. In this case, consider that an apple is the fruit of a tree, just as a child is the “fruit” of its parents.

This saying indicates that the “fruit,” will eventually fall (or in the case of children, grow up and leave home), but will still always resemble the type of tree (or parents) that grew (or raised) it. This phrase can be used to highlight a positive or negative quality.

3- “Family isn’t always blood.”

This saying essentially means that people other than blood relatives can be considered family. This is especially true in the United States, where people often consider close friends to be a part of their family despite lacking blood ties.

4- “Blood is thicker than water.” or “Blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.”

These two phrases, technically speaking, have two different meanings. However, the second one is less used and the first one is really just a shortened version of it.

“Blood is thicker than water,” indicates that blood family (or direct relatives) always come before anyone else.

On the other hand, “Blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb,” indicates the opposite. In this phrase, the “water of the womb,” represents immediate family ties, while “blood of the covenant,” represents other ties (such as strong friendship or marriage).

Essentially, this one means that holding to a covenant, or promise, with someone who’s important to you is more important than loyalty to immediate family.

5- “You can’t choose your family.”

This is a favorite saying among family members all across the United States. “You can’t choose your family.”

This is an interesting phrase as it can have both a negative and positive connotation, depending on the context. Oftentimes, it’s both at the same time.

You don’t have any control over who your parents are, who your parents’ relatives are, or whether or not you have siblings. You just have to try and love them all; whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with the family you have. Make the most of it!

6- “Children are a poor man’s riches.”

This endearing phrase about family means that someone who has children is rich, despite their monetary value. It indicates that children are precious, and a person who has one has something very valuable.

7- “A house divided cannot stand.”

This proverb means that in order for a house (or family) to stand properly, it must be whole or united. Once divisions have occurred among family members in a household (be it arguments, jealousy, deceit, or anything else along these lines) that household is doomed to fall if it can’t reunite.

This emphasizes the impact that family has on daily life.

8- “Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.”

This is one of the more lighthearted family proverbs in the United States. If you’re not familiar with fudge, it’s a dessert commonly made in the United States, usually from chocolate, and often with nuts inside.

This phrase compares family to fudge. For the most part, family is “sweet”; it’s nice to be a part of a family and there’s really nothing like the love a family offers its members. But just like fudge, there’s always a few “nuts”—family members who are a little odd, quirky, or just not your favorite person.

But nuts or no, fudge is still a dessert to be enjoyed. 🙂

7. Conclusion

Now you have a better idea of how to talk about your family in English. This was a lot to go over, but it’s worth it for the sake of family, right? 😉

Visit us at EnglishClass101.com to continue learning English while having fun! We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow English learners. You can also check out our MyTeacher program if you prefer a one-on-one learning experience with your own personal English teacher.

Your hard work in learning English will pay off, so study hard and get ready to reap the rewards. We wish you the best in your English-learning journey!

If you plan on traveling to the United States (or another largely English-speaking country) soon, you’ll definitely want to know some English travel phrases. Even if you’re not fluent in English yet, it’s important to know how to effectively communicate with the people you’re going to encounter—bus drivers and train station managers, hotel staff, shop clerks, and the list goes on.

Increasing your English travel vocabulary is an essential step in your visit to the United States.

Knowing just a few basic English travel phrases will ultimately make your life easier as you navigate this new place. Instead of struggling to find words when ordering at a restaurant or asking for directions, you’ll have these most common English travel phrases at the back of your mind for safekeeping, to use whenever the need arises.

English travel phrases are the most important phrases to know, because they’ll help you get from point A to point B with ease. Whether that means getting from the airport to your hotel, from your main course to dessert, or from casual acquaintances to friends with someone you meet. These are English phrases for traveling you’ll use constantly during your visit to the U.S., and you’ll be glad to know them.

The ease factor aside, knowing English travel phrases can also help you out in a pinch—if you lose your luggage, get terribly lost yourself, or encounter an emergency, knowing these phrases can be a real lifesaver.

And let’s not forget that if you happen to be traveling for business purposes, knowing basic conversational English along with additional phrases will make you look good. It’ll greatly impress your U.S. associates and colleagues, and will grant you their favor more quickly than if you couldn’t communicate with them effectively.

With these things in mind, let’s move forward with EnglishClass101.com and learn about the most basic English travel phrases you should know. (Think of this as your very own online travel English booklet!) Let’s learn English travel phrases!

Table of Contents

1. Basic Phrases: Greetings and Manners
2. Phrases for Transportation
3. Hotel Phrases
4. Phrases to Use When Shopping
5. Restaurant Phrases
6. Directions
7. Phrases to Use in an Emergency
8. Flattery Phrases and Compliments
9. Useful Phrases to Go Through Language Problems
10. Conclusion

1. Basic Phrases: Greetings and Manners

The first English travel vocabulary we’ll go over are some basic greetings. You probably know some of these English language phrases for tourists, but if not you’ll find this section very helpful. (We also have an entire article dedicated to English greetings, in case you want a more in-depth look at these.)

1- Hello / Hi / Hey

These three words are the most common English greeting words. These words are basically interchangeable, meaning you can say any of these when first meeting someone. However, they do express different levels of formality.

“Hello,” is the most formal greeting word of the three, and is what you should probably use when meeting with a business colleague or when greeting someone for the very first time.

“Hi,” is a little bit less formal, and is probably the most versatile of the three; you can use this word to greet just about anyone in any situation (unless “Hello” seems more proper).

“Hey,” is the least formal, and is best used with people you’re very familiar with. If you make close friends while traveling in the U.S., this phrase is totally acceptable to use with them (and is even expected).

2- Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening

After you’ve said your initial greeting (or sometimes in place of one of the above phrases), you can tell the person “Good Morning,” “Good Afternoon,” or “Good Evening,” depending on what time of day it is.

You can say “Good Morning,” any time before noon. “Good Afternoon,” is best used from noon to about five o’clock PM, and “Good Evening,” can be used any time after that until the next morning.

Each of these phrases is basically doing one of two things (or both):

1. Wishing the person has a good day.
2. Telling the person that you hope their day has been good up until that point.

However, these phrases are often said out of habit and so their meaning is sometimes vague or not actually implied.

3- How are you? / How have you been?

After you’ve greeted someone it’s polite to ask, “How are you?” You can ask this to anyone you’ve met, though you shouldn’t expect an in-depth answer if this is someone you hardly know. They’ll probably reply with, “Good” or “Well,” and ask how you are.

If you’re talking with someone you’ve met before or someone you know pretty well, you can ask, “How have you been?” instead. This question implies that you want to know how they’ve been since the last time you met. Depending on how well you know this person, the answer can be vague ( “Good,” ) or more in-depth. The person you’re talking with is likely to ask how you’ve been as well.

4- Please / Thank you

In the United States, it’s very much expected to say “Please,” when asking for something or making a request. For example, “Can you please give me directions to the hotel?” or “Please let me borrow your phone.” This word shows that you know the weight of the favor you asked, and that the other person is totally capable of refusing; it’s a sign of respect and humility, and is considered good manners in general.

You say, “Thank you,” after you receive what you asked for or a request you made is completed. This phrase shows that you appreciate the other person (or people) for their help.

5- Excuse me

“Excuse me,” can be used in a variety of situations and for multiple reasons, making it one of the most useful English travel phrases. For instance, you can say this to someone if you’re trying to get around them or if you accidentally run into someone while walking. You can also use this phrase to get someone’s attention.

For example, imagine you’re trying to get a store clerk’s attention to ask them where something is in the store:

“Excuse me, where can I find ____?”

This is one of the most important English phrases for travel due to its versatility and general usefulness.

6- I’m sorry

It’s always good to know how to say sorry, even if it’s only for small inconveniences or mistakes. Especially in the United States, it’s considered polite and common practice to apologize often. This may also be one of the most appreciated English language travel phrases to natives.

For instance, imagine you accidentally stepped on someone’s foot while walking in a crowded store or street. You can quickly say, “I’m sorry,” or simply, “Sorry,” and then keep walking.

2. Phrases for Transportation

Finding a good mode (or modes) of transportation is very important when traveling in the United States. Luckily, there’s a variety of options available depending on where you are and where you’re going. But to get the most out of your transportation experience, you’ll want to know a few basic English travel phrases related to transportation.

1- Taxi Phrases

• Getting the Taxi’s Attention. If you plan on traveling by taxi (or using a similar service, such as Uber or Lyft), the first thing you need to do is “hail a cab” or use a phone to call for one to pick you up.
  • When hailing a cab (or taxi), first make sure that it’s actually available. You can find lots of good information on how to effectively hail a taxi online. If it’s available, one common way to signal for the driver’s attention is to extend your arm in the cab’s direction.
  • If you’re going to call a cab instead, it’ll be good to have taxi company phone numbers for the area you’re in written down or saved on your cell phone. You can also use the increasingly popular services of either Uber or Lyft instead, as it may be easier to find availability this way.
• “I need to get to ___.” Once you’ve gotten the attention of a taxi driver or your Uber/Lyft driver has arrived, you’ll need to tell them where you need to go. You can do this by saying, “I need to get to ___” and say the name of the place where the blank is. For example, if you’re visiting Oregon, USA, you could tell your driver, “I need to get to the Oregon Zoo.”
• “Could you please take me to ___.” This is a more polite way of telling your driver where you need to go, and is basically interchangeable with the above phrase.
• “What’s the fastest (or easiest, or best) route?” or “Please take the fastest (or easiest, or best) route.” You should ask your driver which route is the fastest if you’re in a hurry; asking this indicates that you would like them to take that route, or discuss it with you. Or, if you’re less concerned with discussing the route, you can simply tell them, “Please take the fastest route.”
• “How much will this cost?” It can be hard to keep an eye on your spending when traveling, especially out of the country. To ensure that you don’t spend more than you need to (or to get a better idea of what you can expect to spend on taxis for the rest of the trip), you can ask your driver how much the route you discussed will cost.

An example conversation when getting a taxi ride could go something like this:

You: [Hails a cab] “Could you please take me to the Oregon Zoo?”
Cab driver: “Sure. Is there a route you want me to take?”
You: “What’s the fastest route?”
Cab driver: [Tells you the fastest route] “Is that okay with you?”
You: “Yes. How much will this cost?”
Cab driver: “About $30.00 if traffic is good.”

2- Bus Phrases

• “May I have the bus schedule?” or “What is the bus schedule?” You can use the first phrase if you would like to receive a copy of the bus schedule for future reference (if there’s one available). The second phrase may be more helpful if you just want to know the day’s schedule, because you plan on going somewhere later.
• “How much will this ticket cost?” When purchasing a bus ticket, it’s very important to know how much you’re spending on a single trip. This is especially true since certain buses and certain bus-to-bus routes will cost much more than others. You can simply ask the driver or the ticket salesperson, “How much will this ticket cost?” once you’ve decided on the route you need.
• “Is this seat available?” This phrase is to be used once you’re actually on the bus. Depending on where you are and what time of day it is, finding a seat on a bus can be very difficult. Before taking a seat next to someone (or deciding there’s no room to sit), it never hurts to ask someone if an empty seat next to them is available. Here’s how an example conversation could go:
  • You: “Hello, is this seat available?”
    Person: “Yes, it is.”
    You: “Thank you.” (Sit down beside them)

    If they answer with “No,” or “I’m saving this seat for someone,” you can either ask around for other available seats, or simply stand up and hold onto the bus’s poles during the ride.

3- Train Phrases

While trains are not the most popular mode of transportation in the United States, you may decide you’d like to travel by train anyway. (Depending on where you are, the scenery can be gorgeous and the service wonderful!) There are also the infamous “subway” trains of New York City that you may find convenient to take if you’re staying there for a while. Here are a few phrases you should know:

• “What’s the schedule for this train?” To inquire about a train’s schedule while you’re at the train station, you can ask someone who works there, “What’s the schedule for this train?”
• “What route does this train take?” Once you know what the train’s schedule is, you may want to ask about the actual route of the train. You can simply ask, “What route does this train take?”
• “I would like to buy a ticket to ___ for ___ train.” When buying a ticket for a train, you need to state two things: 1.) Where you’re going, and 2.) Which train you want to take you there. You can use this phrase to do just that.
• “How much will this cost?” If you can’t find train ticket prices listed anywhere, you should ask the ticket salesperson how much a particular ticket will cost before you make a firm decision.

3. Hotel Phrases

Chances are you’ll be staying in a hotel for at least part of your trip to the United States. Here are a few common travel phrases in English that you should know during your hotel stay:

• “What rooms are available?” or “Do you have available rooms for [date] to [date]?” If you didn’t book a room prior to your trip, these are the first questions you may want to ask at the reception desk. The person at the front desk should answer by telling you about a couple of available rooms. If you plan on staying from one specific date to another date, you can use the second phrase to ask about rooms available for this specific time frame.
• “How much will my stay cost?” When telling you about available rooms, the person at the front desk should also tell you the approximate cost per night; once you’ve indicated how long you’ll stay, they should also tell you the total cost and give you payment options. However, don’t shy away from asking about this if they didn’t give you enough info.
• “When is check-out time?” In case it wasn’t made clear what time you need to check-out of your room on the last day, you’ll need to ask the person at the front desk.
• “Is there free breakfast?” If free breakfast is important to you, feel free to ask the front desk about this with this phrase.
• “Is there free WiFi?” The vast majority of hotels in the U.S. should have free WiFi, and most will offer you the WiFi password upon check-in. However, if they didn’t make it clear that they have WiFi, you can ask the front desk.
• “I need new towels/bed sheets.” There’s a good chance that you’ll want clean towels and bed sheets before your stay is over. Room service should take care of this while you’re out and about, but some hotels prefer that you ask for fresh towels or bed sheets before they’re given. You can either ask room service for these directly if you happen to be in your room when they arrive, or you can go to the front desk and request them. (Some hotels allow you to request multiple items free of charge, such as soap and razors; you can ask about these as well.)

4. Phrases to Use When Shopping

Shopping! Whether for groceries, clothing, or a swanky souvenir, shopping is just about inevitable when visiting another country. Here are some common travel phrases in English to use during your shopping experience:

• “Excuse me.” You can use this phrase to get a store clerk’s attention.
• “Do you have ___?” or “Where can I find ___?” If you’re having a hard time finding a particular item or section of the store, you can get a clerk’s attention and ask one of these two questions. Here are a couple of examples:

  You: “Excuse me, do you have canned tomatillos?”
  Clerk: “I’m not sure what a tomatillo is. Can you describe it?”
  You: “It’s like green tomatoes, in a can.”
  Clerk: “I’m not sure we have those… Let me check.”
  You: “Okay, thank you.”

  You: “Excuse me, where can I find your men’s clothing?”
  Clerk: “If you see the restroom sign right there, it’s to the right.”
  You: “Thank you.”

• “There’s a problem with my ___.” It happens all too often that you find an issue with a product after you’ve left the store. You discover a tear in your new (and expensive!) blouse, your souvenir falls apart for no reason, and the list goes on. To inform a store clerk about an issue like this, you can return to the store with the item and receipt, get the clerk’s attention, and say, “There’s a problem with my ___,” where the blank is the item you bought.
• “Can I have a refund?” Once you’ve shown the clerk (or staff at a Customer Service desk) what the problem is and that you still have the receipt, you can ask them, “Can I have a refund?” Most stores have some sort of refund policy, which the clerk will then explain to you.
• “Can I exchange this product?” If you would like to exchange your damaged product for another product, you can ask the clerk, “Can I exchange this product?” The rules and specifications for this vary by store, but some stores do allow exchanges.

By using these travel phrases in the English language, you can make your way around just about store or shop in the United States—and ensure that you get the best products from your visit to them.

5. Restaurant Phrases

No matter where you are, good food and restaurants are an essential part of the trip. Here are some English travel phrases you should know when eating at a restaurant.

1- Seating and Ordering

• “I would like a table for [number].” When you first enter a restaurant, the first thing you’ll be asked is, “How many?” To this, you can respond with the phrase, “I would like a table for [number],” or simply, “A table for [number],” where you replace [number] with the number of people in your group. You’ll then either be led to a table, or told how long you’ll need to wait for an available table.
• “Excuse me.” Here’s yet another good use for the phrase “Excuse me.” You can say this in order to call your waiter or waitress’ attention if you’re in need of something (more water or the check, for example).
• “Water, please.” Your server will ask you what you would like to drink, usually in the form of, “Can I get you started with something to drink?” though sometimes they’ll ask more specifically, “Would you like coffee, orange juice, milk?” You can reply with “Water, please,” if you would like water, though you can also say, “Coffee, please,” etc.
• “I’ll have the ___.” After your server asks you what you would like to eat, or what you’ll have, you can respond with, “I’ll have the ___,” where the blank is the name of a dish (or food) on the menu. For example, if you’re eating at an Italian restaurant you might say, “I’ll have the Chicken Alfredo.”

2- Types of Courses

You may find it helpful to have a breakdown of the different types of courses available to you, and the types of foods you can expect to be served for each one.

1. Breakfast

In English, the first meal of the day is called “Breakfast.” In most restaurants, this is only served in the morning (if breakfast is served there at all), with the exception of certain places which specialize in breakfast dishes.

Some common drinks served during breakfast hours include:

• Coffee
• Milk
• Juice (orange juice, apple juice, cranberry juice, etc.)
• Water

Common food items include:

• Cereal or oatmeal
• Eggs (you can have these prepared in a variety of ways)
• Bacon or sausage links
• Potatoes or “hashbrowns”
• Toast (plus butter and jam)
• Pancakes
• Waffles
• Crepes
• French toast
• Fruit
• Biscuits and gravy (yummy biscuits covered in thick, usually meaty gravy)

2. Lunch

“Lunch” is usually served and eaten around the middle of the day (usually from around eleven o’clock in the morning until about two o’clock in the afternoon). When it comes to lunch, there are a variety of things you can eat and drink, mainly depending on the type of restaurant you find yourself in.

When it comes to classic American food, however, you’re likely to find the following items on your menu for lunch:

• Hamburger (or cheeseburger)
• Sandwiches or wraps
• Salads
• Soups

Many classic American lunch dishes come with side items, the most common of which are:

• Fries (basically just fried, long-cut potatoes)
• Onion rings (ring-cut onion slices dipped in batter and fried)
• Side salad (usually a small bowl of greens with tomato, cucumber, red onion, and croutons)
• Coleslaw (cabbage with carrots and sometimes other veggies, in a special dressing)
• Side soup (there are usually a variety of options available for the type of soup)

The most common lunchtime drinks are water and soft drinks (such as soda).

3. Dinner

Especially if you’re visiting the United States on business, you’ll probably find yourself eating out for “dinner,” or the last meal of the day. For most restaurants, dinner meals are served from around 3 o’clock in the afternoon until late at night. Dinner is probably the most versatile meal in the United States.

Plates served for dinner are usually larger than those used for serving lunch, and the meals are often more expensive (depending on where you’re eating). Meal types range from classical American, like we described above, to other things like:

• Steak meals (a portion of steak, usually served with multiple sides)
• Fish meals (depending on where you are, any type of fish fillet served with multiple sides, such as rice)
• Various pasta dishes (most restaurants serve some kind of pasta dish, though the best pasta is usually from Italian-style restaurants)

4. Appetizer

An “appetizer” is usually served before a lunch or dinner meal is served, and is prepared upon request; it’s usually served to the table as a whole. It’s called an appetizer because it’s supposed to prepare your appetite for the meal to come. There may just be more types of appetizers in the United States than there are actual meals. Appetizers are sometimes unique to a specific restaurant, so be sure to have a good look at the appetizer section of the menu.

5. Dessert

For some people, the “dessert” is the best part of the meal. It’s usually served after lunch or dinner. In the United States, this is usually some type of a sweet treat to eat after you’re done eating the main meal. Common U.S. dessert items include:

• Ice cream or frozen yogurt (this can be prepared a number of ways)
• Slice of cake
• Slice of pie
• Cookie

Some restaurants may also serve healthier desserts, such as fruit trays.

For this section, I sought to provide an array of example for classic American foods, but keep in mind that the types of food available fully depends on where you’re eating, and in the U.S. you can find restaurants serving food based on just about any other country’s food as well. So get out there and explore!

3- Money/Payment Words and Phrases

When you’re done eating, you’ll need to pay. Here are some useful phrases for you:

• “Check, please,” or “May I have the check?” You can use these phrases interchangeably to ask your server for the check. The first phrase is less formal, but is a simpler and more efficient way of asking for the check; the second one is a little more formal, so you may want to use it if you’re eating at a nice restaurant.
• “Credit card.” If you’re asked how you’ll be paying for your meal, you can simply answer “credit card,” if you’ll be using a credit card. Other possible answers are “cash,” and “check,” (though be aware that some restaurants don’t accept these). Further, a “debit card” can be used in place of a credit card.
• “May I have the receipt?” Oftentimes, you’ll be asked after paying if you would like a receipt, to which you can reply “yes” or “no.” However, if you would like your receipt and it wasn’t offered, you can simply ask, “May I have the receipt?”
• “How much should I tip?” While this may be an awkward question to ask the server, it can still be helpful to ask this to someone in the party you’re eating with. Tipping is always much appreciated, and asking a colleague how much you should tip definitely won’t be frowned upon.

4- Allergies and Special Accommodations

If you have a food allergy or are following a strict diet, don’t be afraid to speak up. Here are a few phrases you may find helpful for communicating your needs to your party or the restaurant staff:

• “I’m allergic to ___.” Use this phrase to let someone know you’re allergic to something, where the blank space is the food (or foods) you’re allergic to. For example, you could say, “I’m allergic to peanuts,” or “I’m allergic to shellfish,” both of which are common food allergies. If you’re allergic to multiple foods, you could say, “I’m allergic to fish, milk, and tree nuts,” for instance.
• “I’m a vegetarian,” or “Do you have vegetarian options?” You can use the first phrase to inform either the server or someone in your party that you don’t eat meat, so that they can help you find a tasty meatless meal on the menu. You can use the second phrase if you want to simply ask the server for recommendations on vegetarian options. (Keep in mind that you can replace “vegetarian” with whatever type of diet you’re following. E.g.: “I’m a vegan,” “I’m on a keto diet,” etc.)
• “Can I have this without ___?” You can make this request to your server, filling in the blank with whatever ingredient in the meal you don’t want. For example, if you ordered a steak meal that usually comes with mashed potatoes, green beans, and rice, you could say, “Can I have this without the green beans,” if you don’t like green beans.
• “Can I have extra ___?” On the other hand, if you absolutely love green beans and can’t get enough of them, you could ask the server, “Can I have extra green beans?” You may just be surprised how many restaurants are willing to accommodate requests like this.
• “Can you substitute ___ for ___?” or “Can I have ___ instead of ___?” You can ask these questions pretty much interchangeably, and both are used to ask for one food item instead of another. For example, if you ordered a fish meal that’s usually served with rice and steamed broccoli, but you want mashed potatoes on the side instead of rice, you could say: “Can you substitute the rice for mashed potatoes?” Many restaurants will accommodate for things like this.

6. Directions

You’ve just finished eating your meal, the table conversation is starting to slow, and your U.S. colleagues are getting up to leave. You suddenly panic and realize that you don’t remember the way back to your hotel. As the table empties, you hurry to get one of your colleagues’ attention…we’ll call him Phil. So how do you ask Phil how to get to the hotel?

1- Asking for Directions

Asking for directions can be embarrassing or awkward, but it’s nothing to be ashamed about. In fact, learning these travel phrases in English can really get you out of some sticky situations. Here are some common travel phrases in English you can use to ask for directions:

• “Where is ___?” Probably the simplest way to ask for directions is to ask the question, “Where is ___?” The blank represents the destination you’re trying to get to.
• “How do I get to ___?” This is another simple way to ask for directions, and is a more straightforward way of asking. (“How do I get to,” implies that you want specific directions, whereas “Where is,” implies that you need more general information.)
• “How do I get to ___ from here?” This is a little bit more complex, but has the same meaning as the two phrases above; the only difference is that you’re adding “from here” to the end, which indicates you want directions with your current location as the starting point.
• “Can you tell me where ___ is from here?” This has the same meaning as the phrase above, though it’s a little bit more formal and polite. In the case of asking your colleague Phil for directions, this may be the best option. (Tip: Be sure to say something like “excuse me,” before you ask the actual question as this is seen as generally polite.)
• “I’m trying to get to ___. Can you point me in the right direction?” If you want to add a little flair to your directions-asking, this is a good option. It’s a little bit more complex than the others, but it has a more conversational tone and will be particularly well-received by the person you’re asking.

2- Giving Directions

How is Phil going to answer your question?

1. Common Directional Words

• North
• East
• South
• West
• Right
• Left
• Toward
• Ahead
• Behind
• Around
• Near

2. Common Directional Phrases

• “Find ___ and make a right/left.” The blank here is usually a street name, though it can also be some kind of landmark. Phil may tell you, for instance, “Find Coyote Road and make a left,” and then, “At the fork in the road, make a right.”
• “Stay ___ on ___.” In this phrase, the first blank is usually a direction (north, east, south, or west), and the second blank is usually a highway, road, or street name. For instance, Phil may tell you, “Stay north on Highway 89.“

If Phil is a less technical kind of guy or if you happen to have a hard time remembering street names, he may use more general directional phrases and words. These are usually associated with some kind of a landmark, such as a certain building or park.

• “___ is near ___.” In this phrase, the first blank can either be the place you’re looking for, or a road he mentioned. The second blank is some kind of landmark. For instance, Phil may tell you: “Your hotel is near Heritage Park.”
• “You’ll find that road around ___.” In this phrase, Phil is seeking to give you a better idea of where a road he mentioned is. For instance, he could say: “You’ll find that road around the Heritage Park Zoo.”

7. Phrases to Use in an Emergency

Just because you’re on vacation or a business trip doesn’t mean emergencies won’t happen. It’s very important that you know how to communicate serious problems with those around you and with those trained to handle emergencies.

Here are some useful travel phrases in English to help you out in an emergency, as well as other important information. Keep in mind that these are some of the most important travel phrases in English.

1- Emergency Numbers

Before anything else, it’s important that you know what phone number to call in case of an emergency, how to dial it, and what to expect during the call. Here’s a list of some of the most common numbers:

• 911: This is the catch-all emergency phone number in the United States. Whatever your emergency is, dial 911 on your phone and answer their questions to the best of your ability. In particular, you’ll need to know where you’re located at the time of the emergency and what the emergency is. If you’re unable to talk on the phone for whatever reason, you can also request that someone else makes the phone call.

2- Phrases to Ask for Help

Here’s a list of useful travel phrases in English you can use to ask for help in a pinch:

• “Can you help me?” or “Please help.” The first phrase here is a more polite way of asking someone for help, and should probably be started with “Excuse me.” You can use this for emergencies that aren’t particularly urgent (such as if you lost something that’s not ultra-important to you). The second phrase is less polite, but also suggests more urgency; this should be used for more urgent emergencies, such as if someone’s been seriously injured or you’re in some kind of trouble.
• “I lost my ___.” or “My ___ was stolen.” These are two phrases that you can use if you’ve either misplaced something important to you or if somebody took off with it. For instance, if you can’t find your cell phone anywhere, you can declare to someone, “I lost my cell phone,” and then ask them if they’ve seen it. Or, if you definitely saw someone pick up your phone and walk away with it, you can say, “My cell phone was stolen.”

3- List of Common Health Emergency Words

The first thing to do if you or someone around you is experiencing an urgent health emergency is call 911. Here are just a few of the most common ailment words to describe what’s happening:

• Headache: Most headaches aren’t an emergency, but if it’s very severe or is impairing your (or someone else’s) ability to go about normal daily tasks, it may be time to call 911. This is characterized by a dull or sharp throbbing in or around your head, and can be caused by various factors.
• Heart attack: If you think that you or anyone around you is experiencing (or about to experience) a heart attack, dial 911. Be sure to learn some of the most common heart attack symptoms, so that you can know it when you see it (or feel it!).
• Dehydration: When you’re dehydrated, it means that you haven’t been consuming enough fluids. Common symptoms include headache, weakness, and stomach ache/nausea. Be sure to drink a lot of fluids during your visit, and then keep drinking lots of fluids when you get back home!
• Stroke: A stroke is a serious medical condition which can be caused by an array of things. Be sure to brush up on your stroke knowledge so that you’ll know the symptoms and how to help.
• Stomach ache: A stomach ache can either mean that you feel pain in your stomach, or that you’re very nauseous (though it can be both at once). While not always an emergency, a stomach ache can be a sign that something is very wrong; if a stomach ache is very painful or persists for a long time, be sure to call 911.
• Injury: While most injuries aren’t serious or life-threatening, they can be; for instance, if a deep wound won’t stop bleeding or you’re in a lot of pain, you should see a doctor.
• Doctor: A doctor is someone who usually works at a hospital, and has extensive medical knowledge as well as the authority to prescribe medication or treatment. If you’re in an emergency where you need a doctor but can’t get yourself to the hospital or dial 911, you can simply tell someone, “I need a doctor,” and they should get you help immediately.
• Ambulance: An ambulance is a large vehicle that’s used to transport someone to the hospital if they’re in very bad condition or can’t get there themselves. Oftentimes, an ambulance is sent after someone dials 911.
• Emergency: It’s important to know the word “emergency.” This word will be very useful in a pinch, as you can use it to explain the severity of a situation. For example, you enter the hospital with a friend who’s about to have a stroke and tell the person at the front desk, “It’s an emergency!” Your friend should then be taken to the emergency room for immediate attention.

8. Flattery Phrases and Compliments

Travel phrases in English language learning aren’t all formal!

When you travel, English conversation is likely to take an informal turn. Nearly everyone appreciates a well-placed compliment, and this is especially true in the United States. Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, knowing a few flattery phrases and compliments will certainly be useful. Not to mention the flair it’ll add to your English-speaking!

That said, here’s some English for tourism conversations:

• “I like your ___.” This is a fairly informal compliment, and is especially appreciated among friends or family. Simply replace the blank with what it is you want to compliment the person on. Oftentimes, this is a clothing item or accessory (“I like your shirt“), though it can also be a physical attribute (“I like your smile“) or personality characteristic (“I like your caring nature“).

  You can also say the phrases “I really like your ___” and “I love your ___.” Both of these phrases add emphasis to your compliment. The word “really” in the first phrase indicates an additional level of approval, while the word “love” in the second phrase means that “like” isn’t even a strong enough word to describe your approval.

  Note: Be careful of how you use this phrase. While it’s generally a nice compliment, this phrase is sometimes used in a sarcastic way as well. You shouldn’t have a problem using this phrase, as long as you say it with sincerity.

• “You look nice today.” This is a more generic compliment, and can be used in most situations for most people. It’s a simple way of expressing your approval about someone’s physical appearance. This compliment is always well-received; you’ll typically receive a “thank you,” or “thanks,” in response, along with a big smile.
• “Thank you for ___.” Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and saying thank you is the best way to make sure someone knows you appreciate them. You can use this phrase with literally anyone. Simply replace the blank with whatever it is you’re thanking them for. Here are some examples:

  1.) [A friend came to pick you up from your hotel so you could go to the zoo together.]
  You: “Thank you for picking me up.”

  2.) [A U.S. colleague took the time to introduce you to other colleagues after a meeting.]
  You: “Thank you for introducing me.”

  3.) [A store clerk helped you find just what you were looking for.]
  You: “Thank you for showing me where that was.”



• “Do you have a Facebook?” You can ask this to someone you’re becoming friends with (or would like to become friends with). While it may not be good to ask this after first meeting someone, by the second or third meeting, this should be fine to ask. Also note that you can replace “Facebook” with any other social media platform you use (e.g. Twitter, Instagram, etc.). If the other person has this social media account and is also interested in becoming friends, they will give you their information so you can stay in touch.
• “Can I have your phone number?” In the United States today, asking for someone’s phone number usually comes after asking for their social media information. Also, this question is better asked to someone you’ve met a few times already (unless you’re asking a colleague for their number so you can work on a project together or something). If the person you ask wishes to give you their number, they’ll probably ask for your number too. This is called “exchanging numbers.”

9. Useful Phrases to Go Through Language Problems

Finally, how do you tell someone that you don’t speak English very well yet? How do you effectively communicate to work around these issues? Learn some travel sentences in English for going through language problems with someone.

• “I apologize for my poor English.” Apologizing for your poor English is both polite and a great first step in letting someone know your English isn’t fluent yet. A simpler way of saying this is, “I’m sorry for my poor English.”

  The words “apologize” and “sorry” here are just about interchangeable. However, “apologize” is a verb, while “sorry” is an adjective, so you must include the word “am” when saying that you’re “sorry.”

• “Can you repeat that?” This is a phrase that you’ll likely need to use often while visiting the United States. (Heck, even U.S.-born, native English-speaking folks say this often!) This is a simple way of asking someone to repeat what they said because you didn’t understand it the first time; they’ll likely say it slower, more loudly, or with clearer pronunciation so you can understand what they said easier.
• “Can you speak more slowly? I don’t understand English very well.” This is a more complex phrase, and does two things: 1.) It makes a request for the speaker to speak more slowly, and 2.) It informs the speaker that you don’t speak English well, which is important for them to know. After you use this phrase, the speaker will likely repeat what they said more slowly, and pronounce their words more clearly in future dialogue.
• “How do you say that in my language?” This is a helpful phrase to use if someone you’re with knows your native language (even if only a little bit). Some English words just don’t translate easily, and others are hard to learn; with a little research, however, you and the people you’re speaking with should be able to find similar words or phrases from your own language.
• “Is there another/easier word for that?” As noted above, some English words are hard to learn or don’t translate easily. However, there’s almost always a substitute (or synonym) for these words. After you ask, “Is there another/easier word for that?”, the person you’re speaking with will probably offer you one or two simpler words for what they mean.

  For example, let’s say you don’t know what the word “bashful” means and someone brings it up in a conversation. It may go something like this:

  Colleague: “That’s Jeff, he’s pretty bashful.”
  You: “Is there another word for bashful?”
  Colleague: “Yes. Bashful also means ‘shy’ or ‘timid.’”

• “Can you please write that down?” If someone’s using a word you’re not very familiar with or is talking too quickly for you to follow, you can ask them, “Can you please write that down?” Sometimes, it’s easier to understand what something means when you read it; also, when something’s written down, you can read it and analyze it over and over again until you “get it.” In most cases, it shouldn’t be a problem for the person you’re talking with to write down what they said.

  Note: In some situations, it won’t be appropriate for you to ask for something to be written down, such as during a business meeting or presentation. However, it’s likely that there will be enough written material available to get the gist of what’s being said or talked about.

• “How do you read/pronounce this?” Maybe you can speak and understand spoken English pretty well, but have a more difficult time reading and writing it. Or maybe you just came across a particularly tricky word to pronounce. Whatever the situation is, it never hurts to ask someone how you read or pronounce a word or phrase. In fact, it will show the person that you’re interested in learning and that you want to speak/read English to the best of your ability. They should be more than happy to help you out.

10. Conclusion

Whew! That’s quite a mouthful of English travel words and phrases. We hope you learned some useful travel words in English and other English phrases about travelling.

You’re definitely not expected to memorize all of them right away, but we do hope that you’ve gained some insight into the types of phrases you should know and when to use them. When you learn to use English travel phrases, you can expect a few bumps in the road—but with enough practice, the struggle will be well worth it! With a few of these phrases under your belt, you should have a much smoother trip to the United States. Enjoy!

If you want to learn even more about the U.S. English language, be sure to visit us at EnglishClass101.com. We have an array of helpful blog posts, vocabulary lists on a range of topics, and even an online community forum where you can chat with fellow English learners! And if you want a one-on-one approach to your English learning, you can also download our MyTeacher app!

We wish you all the best on your trip to the United States. Have fun and be successful in all of your English-learning endeavors! And be sure to practice these useful English phrases for tourists.

One of the United States’ greatest attributes is its democracy, the ability for its people to vote in elections. Voting and elections in the United States follow specific rules and regulations, ensuring voting equality and fairness.

In this article, you’ll learn about voting on Election Day, including some information on how national elections work.

At EnglishClass101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative!

1. What is Election Day?

When people talk about Election Day, they’re usually talking about the federal offices in the United States.

Is Election Day a national holiday in the US?

For most people in the United States, the Tuesday after the first Monday in November is a workday. This has been controversial for many years. Some people have advocated that Election Day be made an official federal holiday so that everybody has the day off to vote at their leisure.

But while Election Day isn’t a national holiday, people are required to have time off to vote in the election.

The United States does not vote on a popular vote system. The Electoral College determines the winner of a given state, which translates to a certain amount of electoral votes, making some states much more important than others to politicians.

2. When is Election Day in the United States?

Each year, the United States has its Election Day on a Tuesday in November, following the first Monday that month. For your convenience, here’s a list of Election Day’s date for the next ten years.

• 2019: November 5
• 2020: November 3
• 2021: November 2
• 2022: November 8
• 2023: November 7
• 2024: November 5
• 2025: November 4
• 2026: November 3
• 2027: November 2
• 2028: November 7

Keep in mind that some years are considered “off-years.” 2019 is such a year. Further, Presidential elections take place every four years.

3. What to Expect on Election Day

Election Day in the United States means the end of long periods of campaigning, something which many Americans are grateful to see come about. It also means that polling places have long lines and that people sit by the TV, radio, or computer waiting to hear the results as soon as they’re turned in.

With elections held, the media in the United States covers Election Day like nothing else. In fact, this is one of the most competitive times of the year for media in general. All of the most popular and best known anchormen and women will be behind a desk with a map of the United States showing where the electoral votes of those states are going as soon as the results are available.

4. Why November?

Can you guess why the United States has always tried to position Election Day in November?

The November date of Election Day is due to the fact that the US was largely an agrarian society when the first elections were held. By November, most farmers had their produce harvested and could then make the sometimes long trip to town to vote.

5. Must-Know Vocabulary for United States Election Day

Here’s some essential vocabulary you should know for Election Day in the United States!

• Washington D.C.
• Politician
• Election Day
• Voter
• Election
• Candidate
• Campaign
• Ballot
• Democratic Party
• Government
• Poll
• Vote
• Delegate
• Front-runner
• Did you vote?
• Every vote counts!
• Who are you going to vote for?
• Lobby

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, be sure to check out our Election Day vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about United States Election Day with us! Did you learn anything new? Does your country have a similar day for elections? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re interested in delving further into U.S. culture, you may be interested in the following pages:

• How to Read Body Language in the United States
• Top 20 Words You’ll Need for the Internet
• Top 30 Travel Phrases You Should Know
• What are the Top 10 American Movies?
• English Vocabulary for the Star Spangled Banner
• Top 5 Things You Need to Know About American Society

We know that English is a difficult language to learn, so we commend you for making the effort. At EnglishClass101.com, we aim to make your language-learning experience as fun and painless as possible.

Happy learning!

It’s important to study numbers because no matter where you are, they’re a necessary and unavoidable part of life. This is especially true when it comes to buying things/shopping, telling time, reading calendars, and knowing how to communicate with others the concept of “how many/how much.”

If you plan on traveling to the United States or any other English-speaking country, it’s vital that you pick up at least the most basic numbers in English. From there, you can also begin learning how to write numbers in English as well as grasp the basics of the number system in English. Trust us, knowing these things will come in handy over and over again!

We hope to answer your questions and give you a good working knowledge of English numbers. For example, what are the numbers in English language? And what are the numbers in English grammar?

That said, let EnglishClass101.com guide you through English numbers, from numbers in English 1 to 100 and beyond. We’ll also show you these English numbers in words as well as how to pronounce numbers in English, so you have a full-encompassing knowledge on the topic. Learning numbers in English is one of the most valuable things you’ll do with your time as an English learner, so let’s get started with the numbers in English 0-10!

Table of Contents

1. English Numbers 0-9
2. English Numbers 10-100
3. English Numbers up to 1000
4. How to Give Your Phone Number in English
5. Shopping: How to Use Numbers When Shopping
6. Conclusion

1. English Numbers 0-9

To learn English numbers, the first ones you’ll need to learn are 0-9. From these basic numbers, you can ultimately build and expand to make any number. Here’s a basic cardinal numbers list in English, along with how to write the numbers in English:

• 0 – zero
• 1- one
• 2 – two
• 3 – three
• 4 – four
• 5 – five
• 6 – six
• 7 – seven
• 8 – eight
• 9 – nine

2. English Numbers 10-100

1- By Tens

Next, we’ll learn how to count by tens in English. This is a simple way to count up to larger numbers from 10 to 100. Afterward, we’ll teach you how to form all of the numbers in-between (it’s easy once you get the hang of it!). For now, here are numbers from 10-100 by tens:

• 10 – ten
• 20 – twenty
• 30 – thirty
• 40 – forty
• 50 – fifty
• 60 – sixty
• 70 – seventy
• 80 – eighty
• 90 – ninety
• 100 – one-hundred

Once you have these memorized, you’ll find that counting by tens will become more and more simple. Now, let’s learn something a little trickier: how to form and write all of the English numbers in-between.

2- The Numbers In-between

To make any of the numbers in-between, you simply use the formula: Tens Number + Number from 0-9. For example, the number 47 would be said “forty-seven,” and the number 83 would be “eighty-three.”

Here’s a numbers in English exercise to test your understanding and help you to incorporate numbers in English grammar. Choose the correct reciprocal for each number below:

• 26
• Sixty-two
• Thirty-six
• Twenty-six
• Forty-nine
• 95
• Ninety-five
• Fifty-nine
• Sixty-five
• Fifty-six
• 52
• Sixty-four
• Fifty-two
• Thirty-two
• Twenty-five
• Seventy-eight
• 87
• 68
• 78
• 88

Here are the correct answers:

• 26 = Twenty-six
• 95 = Ninety-five
• 52 = Fifty-two
• Seventy-eight = 78

1. Special Cases

The rule we mentioned above applies to most numbers between 10-100. However, from number 11-19, the rule changes and (unfortunately) is not consistent across each of these numbers.

Here’s what we mean:

• 11 – eleven
  12 – twelve

As you can see, the numbers 11 and 12 are spelled very differently from any other number. Perhaps a good way to remember these is to think about elves when counting just after 10, as those same letters are used in both words. Plus, the “1”s kind of look like pointy elf ears. Just a fun idea. 🙂

The rest of the numbers up to 20 follow a pretty similar pattern as follows:

• 13- thirteen
• 14 – fourteen
• 15 – fifteen
• 16 – sixteen
• 17 – seventeen
• 18 – eighteen
• 19 – nineteen

With the exception of thirteen and fifteen, each of these numbers is Number 0-9 + “Teen.”

Thirteen ends the same way, but begins with “Thir” instead of “Three,” as in the word “Third.”

And fifteen also ends the same way, but begins with “Fif” instead of “Five,” as in the word “Fifth.”

These special cases aside, every other number from 10-100 follows the exact same pattern as laid out above.

3. English Numbers up to 1000

Are you ready to learn how to count big numbers in English? Let’s go over how to read and write numbers up to 1000. Once you have this mastered, you’ll have an easier time mastering the numbers 1000 to 2000 in English, all the way up to one-hundred thousand, and beyond (even though we won’t be going into that in this article). So let’s go ahead and start learning to count by hundreds.

1- By Hundreds

• 100 – one-hundred
• 200 – two-hundred
• 300 – three-hundred
• 400 – four-hundred
• 500 – five-hundred
• 600 – six-hundred
• 700 – seven-hundred
• 800 – eight-hundred
• 900 – nine-hundred
• 1000 – one-thousand

2: To Make Numbers In-between

To make any number in-between the hundreds, simply use the formula: Hundreds Number and Tens Number (+ Number from 0-9). For example, the number 827 would be said “eight-hundred and twenty-seven” and the number 203 would be said “two-hundred and three.”

Here’s another numbers in English exercise to help you test your understanding. Choose the correct reciprocal for each number:

• 143
• Three-hundred and Forty-one
• One-hundred and Forty-three
• Four-hundred and Thirteen
• Four-hundred and Thirty-one
• 937
• Nine-hundred and Thirty-seven
• Nine-hundred and Seventy-three
• Seven-hundred and Ninety-seven
• Three-hundred and Seventy-nine
• 728
• Eight-hundred and Seventy-two
• Seven-hundred and Twenty-eight
• Seven-hundred and Eighty-two
• Two-hundred and Eighty-seven
• Three-hundred and Fifty-four
• 543
• 453
• 345
• 354

Here are the answers:

• 143 = One-hundred and Forty-three
• 937 = Nine-hundred and Thirty-seven
• 728 = Seven-hundred and Twenty-eight
• Three-hundred and Fifty-four = 354

How did you do? This can be confusing at first, so if you need to review this section before moving on, there’s nothing wrong with that. Because next we’ll be going over how to give your phone number in English!

4. How to Give Your Phone Number in English

In the United States, phone numbers consist of three groups as follows: (xxx) xxx-xxxx where the numbers in parentheses are the “area code” which indicates where in the United States someone lives. For example, someone may tell you their phone number is (360) 111-2222.

Different people say their phone number aloud differently, with some choosing to do it number-by-number and others grouping the numbers however they see easiest. One important thing to note is that regardless of how they group/say the number, most people pause for a second or two after saying the area code, and then where the dash is.

1- Number by Number

In the above example number, the person would say it as follows: (three-six-zero) one-one-one – two-two-two-two.

You may find number-by-number the easiest way to both give and receive someone’s number due to its simplicity.

2- Grouped

Typically, when people give their phone number by group, it will sound something like this based on the above example: (three-six-zero) one-eleven – twenty-two twenty-two.

Also keep in mind that many people, instead of saying “zero” simply call this number “O” for short. So instead, it may sound like this: (three-six-o) one-eleven – twenty-two twenty-two.

Also, some people refrain from giving their area code, and simply give you the xxx-xxxx part of the number (it’s not usually necessary to give the area code if most of your friends live in the same area as you). If you do need their area code, you can simply ask for it.

5. Shopping: How to Use Numbers When Shopping

1- Prices

Using the example above, let’s say you’re at the mall purchasing a new shirt. The cashier may tell you, “That amounts to twelve dollars and ninety-nine cents.” You’ll know that this means the shirt costs $12.99.

If you want to know how much something costs, you can ask “How much does this cost?” and you’ll be given an answer as in the format above.

Also keep in mind that bartering isn’t very common in the United States, unless you’re shopping someplace that’s run by an individual (say, a local farmers’ market instead of a large chain store). So asking for a reduced price isn’t that common.

2- Counting

When shopping, you use counting more often than you’d think. Typically, this will be used either if you’re asking for a certain amount or portion of something, or if you’re telling someone you have that amount or portion of it.

1.) Let’s say you’re at the butcher and need 2 pounds of beef. You can say, “Can I please have two pounds of beef?”

2.) You’re at the checkout line at the grocery store and have something very heavy in your cart that you can’t lift onto the conveyor belt. You can tell the cashier, “I have one [item] in my cart,” so that they’ll know it’s there and can scan it. (You can also give the hand sign for “one” while saying this.)

6. Conclusion

We went over a lot of numbers, rules, and additional information on how to learn numbers in English as well as how to use them. A lot. But we hope that you enjoyed the learning process and really did get a better understanding of English numbers in this English lesson. You’ll definitely be glad to have this information when you visit (or move to!) the United States.

So, what did you learn about numbers in English vocabulary? Let us know!

If you want even more information and guidance for your English-learning journey, be sure to visit us at EnglishClass101.com. We offer an array of helpful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and even an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow students. And if you prefer a one-on-one learning approach, you can download our MyTeacher app and get your very own English teacher.

In the meantime, be sure to keep studying numbers in English as well as the number system in English (especially when it comes to those pesky “teen” numbers). Numbers in English writing can be difficult, but with enough practice and determination, you’ll be counting to 1000 in English and making in-person transactions like a boss! Good luck!

Each year, Americans celebrate Halloween—a holiday dedicated to everything spooky, dark, and disturbing. While this Halloween celebration is relatively new in the U.S., many Americans actually look forward to it all year long!

In this article, you’ll learn about the most common Halloween activities, the holiday’s possible origins, and popular Halloween sayings you can start practicing today.

At EnglishClass101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your learning journey both fun and informative!

1. What is Halloween in the United States?

Halloween is a time for celebration in the USA. It’s become the second most popular holiday in the nation over the years. Halloween is known for its oftentimes scary costumes, elaborate parties and events, horror film festivals, and its many Gothic trappings. This holiday was a latecomer to the US, and only became popular in the early twentieth century.

2. When is Halloween?

Each year, the United States celebrates Halloween on October 31. However, there have been recent petitions to change the Halloween date to the final Saturday in October. In time, we’ll see if this becomes the case. 😉

3. Halloween Events, Celebrations & Common Themes

The Basics

People in the USA typically carve pumpkins into scary jack o’ lanterns, use Halloween decorations to make their houses spooky inside and out, and wear a variety of Halloween costumes to celebrate. Some people believe that these aspects of Halloween have roots in Celtic and European myths and traditions.

Halloween Music & Moves

Today, popular horror films and Halloween movies have also influenced the cultural traditions that surround Halloween. The monster movies of the early twentieth century are significant contributors to the look and feel of modern Halloween celebrations in the USA! Check the local theaters and TV stations around Halloween, and you’ll find plenty of scary stuff to watch!

Another favorite for lovers of this holiday is Halloween music. From basic haunting tunes to pop-culture classics, there will be some kind of spooky music playing just about anywhere! To get a taste, why not listen to one of the most popular examples of classic Halloween music: The Monster Mash.

Trick-or-Treating, Haunted Houses & Hayrides

Trick-or-treating started at the beginning of the twentieth century to curb the vandalism and destruction that once characterized this holiday in the USA. Today, Halloween is a night when the streets are full of families getting treats from their neighbors, and vandalism and other problems are rare.

Some families and social groups set up elaborate haunted houses and invite people to go through for free or a donation. Hayrides and other nighttime events are also very popular in rural areas.

Halloween Costumes

Over the years, Halloween costumes in the USA have become more varied. Some people, particularly younger participants, forego the dark Gothic theme of the holiday and dress up as movie characters, their favorite characters from books, or even important figures from the past.

4. Samhain: The Original Halloween?

Do you know where the U.S. may have borrowed the tradition of dressing up?

Samhain is considered by some to be a significant influence on current Halloween celebrations in the United States, though this is disputed by some scholars. Samhain was—and still is, to some extent—celebrated in Scotland and Ireland. It’s associated with the final harvest of the year more than it is with scary ghouls and goblins, though spirits do play a part!

The dressing up was originally done to scare malicious spirits away, or to trick them into thinking that you were one of them to avoid harm.

5. Essential Halloween Night Vocabulary

Here’s the essential vocabulary you should know for Halloween in the United States!

• Candy
• Witch
• Spider
• Pirate
• Pumpkin
• Bone
• Jack-o ‘-lantern
• Scary
• Skull
• Halloween
• Bat
• Broom
• Costume
• Vampire
• Ghost
• Frankenstein
• Black cat
• Boo!
• Goblin
• Mummy
• Monster
• Haunted house
• Trick-or-treat
• Spooky
• Werewolf
• Zombie
• Skeleton
• Devil

We have a lesson dedicated to these must-know Halloween words on our website; why not check it out?

EnglishClass101: The Best Guide to English & U.S. Culture

We hope you enjoyed learning about Halloween with us! Did you learn anything new? Are you excited to participate in some of these Halloween activities? Let us know in the comments; we always love hearing from you!

To learn more about United States culture and the English language, explore EnglishClass101.com. We provide an array of fun and effective learning tools for every learner, at every level:

• Insightful blog posts on a range of cultural and language-related topics
• Free vocabulary lists covering numerous topics and themes
• Podcasts and videos to improve your listening and pronunciation skills
• Mobile apps to learn English anywhere, on your own time
• Much, much more!

To really make the most of your learning journey, be sure to upgrade to Premium Plus. Doing so will give you access to your own English teacher who will help you develop a learning plan based on your needs and goals.

English is a difficult language to master, but at EnglishClass101, we believe you can do it! And we’ll be here with help and encouragement every step of the way.

Happy Halloween!

There are few things in life more frustrating than having difficulty communicating with others, and this is pretty inevitable when you move to a country that speaks a different language than your mother tongue.

Anyone learning a new language is sure to stumble sometimes, and apologies are the best and simplest way to brush off frustration and embarrassment. Knowing how to say “sorry” in English conversations when necessary is a vital skill to learn. Whether you’re looking to say sorry for your English or want to know another word for “sorry” in English, you can find exactly what you need on EnglishClass101.com.

Learn how to make an apology for poor English and other ways to say “sorry” in English with EnglishClass101.com and our guide to “sorry” in common English. Start with a bonus, and download your FREE cheat sheet – How to Improve Your English Skills! (Logged-In Member Only)

1. What is an Apology?
2. Most Important “Sorry” Words in English
3. Making an Apology for Poor English
4. Apologizing for Other Small Inconveniences
5. How to Apologize for Something More Serious
6. How to Accept Blame for a Mistake
7. Formal/Business Apologies
8. Offering Condolences
9. Body Language
10. Conclusion: How Can EnglishClass101.com Help You Learn More English?

1. What is an Apology?

Apologies are one of the most important aspects of communication in any language. Saying “sorry” (and meaning it!) is a humble way of admitting you made a mistake, or admitting when you might have accidentally inconvenienced or hurt someone.

1- The Importance of Apologizing

How to say sorry when learning English is one of the most important things you’ll learn. Knowing how to apologize or say you’re sorry in English language isn’t just convenient, it’s necessary.

For one, apologizing is an expectation in most cultures and countries around the world. It’s considered rude and unruly to refrain from admitting your mistakes and asking forgiveness, no matter where you are. This is especially true in the United States, where there’s more and more focus on individual happiness.

Furthermore, apologizing right away (particularly for smaller issues) helps to avoid and minimize any conflicts down the road. This helps to keep resentment or anger from welling up in a relationship, and strengthens trust and respect between both parties.

And never forget that apologizing for your missteps and errors not only helps the other party—it really does benefit you just as much. When apologizing, you’ll make yourself feel more comfortable and at ease. You’ll also provide yourself with the ability to pinpoint your own error, take note of it, and improve your English.

What else? Apologizing can serve as a gateway for being understood. With trust and respect gained after an apology, there’s often room for digging to the root of the issue. While the point of an apology is never to make excuses for your actions or brush them off entirely, you may find that once the words, “I’m sorry,” have fallen from your lips, there’s forgiveness on the other side. And from there, understanding can be gained—even if it only helps you understand yourself better.

Now that we’ve talked about the why, let’s continue forward by learning some of the most important “sorry” words in English.

2. Most Important “Sorry” Words in English

Before we’re able to move into the nitty-gritty details of how to say that you’re sorry in English, we need to take a look at a few of the most common and important words and phrases.

• “Apology”: As discussed above, an “apology” is a way of expressing your sorrow for a mistake you made and asking forgiveness, or a pardon, for it. However, it’s not very common these days to actually use the word “apology” or “apologies” in English when saying you’re sorry (except in formal situations). In most day-to-day cases, this is simply a phrase to describe the act of saying “sorry”.

  By the way, if you want to know how to apologize in English, you may find our apology audio files and word list helpful! Here, you’ll find more information on how to say sorry in American English.

• “Sorry”: This is the most common word for apologizing in English, and it can be used in numerous ways for any number of circumstances. This essentially serves as the “keyword,” or most often used word, for apologizing in English. We’ll go into more details about the different ways to use this below.
• “Accident”: The majority of apologies are for minor occurrences, or “accidents”. For instance, your first instinct is probably to say “sorry” when unintentionally stepping on someone’s foot or interrupting them when they’re talking.
• “Mistake”: For the purpose of this article, a “mistake” is typically more serious than an accident. For instance, if you make a “mistake,” it could be a situation where you messed something up at work that caused big issues, or even that you made a poor moral choice that caused someone pain.
• “Forgiveness”: When you apologize, you are more often than not seeking forgiveness. You want for the other party to pardon your action(s) and take part in moving forward from it. This is most often reflected in the phrases, “Please forgive me,” or “Will you forgive me?”

Now that you know some of the important English words related to apologizing, let’s learn how to apologize for poor English.

3. Making an Apology for Poor English

One of the first things you’ll likely find need to apologize for in the United States is poor English. Communication is vital to anyone and everyone, but it can certainly be difficult when you’re in a new country that speaks a different language. Frustration may start to grow for both you and the person/people you’re trying to speak with.

But, if you know how to make a quick apology for poor English, you’ll find that frustration turns into a quest for a solution. This is where knowing how to say, “Sorry for my English,” can be a lifesaver.

For example, let’s say you’ve just moved to the United States for a job that you just couldn’t pass up. You know enough English to get around, but you find that discussing a big project with English-speaking colleagues is just plain difficult.

If you’re having a hard time keeping up or sharing your own thoughts, if you make an apology for poor English, you’ll find that you and your colleagues can find more efficient ways of communicating based on that information.

Here are some phrases you can use to apologize for your poor English:

• “Sorry for my English.”
• “Sorry about my English.”
• “Sorry for my bad English.”

Above are some of the simplest ways to make an apology for poor English, and each one has about the same meaning. Any of these phrases will be well-accepted and understood in just about any environment or situation.

If you want to make a more formal or elaborate apology for poor English, the phrases below work well too.

• “I apologize for my poor English.” or “I’m sorry for my poor English.”: Adding the pronoun “I” to your simple apology adds an extra layer of sincerity and meaning; it shows that it comes from you, and that you mean it.
• “I’m sorry, but I don’t speak English very well yet.”: This is similar to the phrases mentioned above, but uses a few additional words. Apologizing for poor English in this way shows that while you’re not yet fluent in the language, you really are trying and putting effort into learning.
• “Please be patient with me, my English isn’t very good.”: This apology is a little bit different than the others. You begin by asking the other party to be patient, which shows that you understand their potential frustration. Then, you explain that your English isn’t very good; this gives the other party a fair warning that there may be some difficulties in communicating.
• “My English isn’t very good. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”: This is similar to the previous apology. In this case, you begin by explaining your poor English, and then you apologize for how it may inconvenience the other party (by frustrating them or making the task at hand more difficult).

You can also add to your apology, so as to give further explanation or make suggestions to help further your communication. For example:

• “My English isn’t very good yet, but I’m learning.”
• “I apologize for my poor English. Maybe we can talk about this project over email instead.”

Now that you know a few ways to make an apology for poor English, let’s move on to talking about how to apologize for other small inconveniences.

4. Apologizing for Other Small Inconveniences

No matter who you are or where you live, you’re going to do something that bothers or annoys someone at some point. Are you getting mean stares from someone because you’re biting your nails too loudly? Are you walking too slowly for the person behind you? Did you accidentally bump into someone walking on the sidewalk?

Though things like this are pretty insignificant, it’s still polite to apologize. Here are some common apology sentences and phrases in English that you can use for situations like this:

• “Sorry.” or “I’m Sorry.”: This is the most common and informal way of apologizing for a minor inconvenience. You can use one of these two phrases in just about any circumstance.
• “Oh, I’m sorry.”: When you add the “Oh,” to the above apology, it usually shows more humility or surprise. (But keep in mind that your tone of voice is important here, as this can also be interpreted as sarcasm, depending on the circumstances. Make sure it’s clear that you’re sincerely apologizing.)
• “Sorry about that.”: This apology is usually used when you’ve made some kind of minor error or miscalculation. For example, if you told someone a piece of information that you later found out was incorrect, you can say something along the lines of, “Oh, I just remembered that it costs five dollars, not two. Sorry about that.“
• “Sorry to bother you.”: How to say “Sorry to bother you,” in English is pretty standard across situations. It’s typically used when you interrupt someone, or cause them some mild inconvenience. It can be used before or after the actual interruption happens: “Sorry to bother you. I have a quick question,” or “Thank you for answering my question. Sorry to bother you.“
• “I’m so sorry.”: This is something you should probably say if you, for example, ran into someone on accident and made them drop something they were carrying. (And, if it’s not too much trouble, picking it up for them is always a nice thing to do while saying it.)
• “Sorry for my mistake.”: How to say “Sorry for my mistake,” in English depends on the severity of the situation. In general, this phrase tends to be a more serious apology than the others in this section, but is still informal enough to use for smaller-scale apologies. Use it when you’ve made a mistake, and wish to apologize for any harm it’s caused.
• “My bad.”: If you’re looking for another word for sorry in English, this phrase is increasingly common to use after making a minor error, especially among younger generations. It literally means “(it’s) my fault.” Much like “I’m sorry,” this phrase can be used for most situations, but is even less formal. Its origins are fairly blurry.

5. How to Apologize for Something More Serious

Little inconveniences happen, and they happen often. Most people learn to let them go, and forgive easily. But things can get a lot messier when you (or someone you know) makes a far more serious mistake.

We’re all people, and none of us are perfect. For this reason, it’s important to learn how to make a serious and heartfelt apology (and how to accept them, but we’ll get to this later).

If you know you’ve really messed up or have deeply hurt or offended someone, whether it was intentional at the time or not, a meaningful apology is often the first step in restoring a relationship. It can be difficult to humble ourselves enough to do it, and more difficult still to gain the courage to. But once you’re ready to try and make amends, here are some phrases you can use for saying sorry to someone you hurt in English language:

• “I owe you an apology.”: If you aren’t sure how to begin your apology, this is often a good way to start it. It gets to the point, and serves as an opener for anything else you have to say about the issue. By saying that you owe someone an apology, it shows that the hurt you caused them has put you in debt to them, and the price is a sincere apology.
• “I’m very sorry for _____.”: Using the word “very” shows that there’s more substance to your apology than there would be for a smaller error. Here, you can also fill in the blank to explain exactly what it is you’re sorry for; this helps the other person realize that you know your mistake and are owning up to it. It also helps you come to grips with whatever it is you did so that you can do better in the future.
• “I’m really sorry I did that.”: This is similar to the above phrase, but is a little more generalized.
• “I’m sorry for hurting you.”: Sometimes it’s not enough to explain what you’re sorry for. It’s important to acknowledge not only that it happened, but the fact that it hurt the person you’re apologizing to. People need to feel understood, and an apology goes much further when the offended party’s pain is properly acknowledged. This also shows that you understand the weight of your mistake.
• “I’m very sorry for hurting your feelings.”: Similar to the above apology, this is a way of acknowledging the emotions of the other party. However, this apology is best used after you’ve said some harsh words to (or about) somebody. In some cases, it can also be used after you’ve done something that hurts their feelings, though this is less common.
• “I know that what I did was wrong, and I’m sorry for it.”: This is a slightly more elaborate apology. It not only apologizes, but also shows the other party that you know you did, indeed, make a mistake (as opposed to simply “saving face,” which is less favorable in the United States than it is in some other countries).

Once you’ve stated your initial apology, it’s also a good idea to assure the other party that you won’t make that mistake again. For example, you can say something along the lines of: “I’m sorry for hurting you. I’ll never ____ again. Will you forgive me?” (In the blank space, state what it is you did to hurt them.)

But it doesn’t end there. After a meaningful apology, it’s important to put words into action. Do your very best to keep your promises and show that your apology was really sincere.

6. How to Accept Blame for a Mistake

Knowing the above English apology phrases is important and is sure to prove helpful. But how do you actually go about accepting blame for something you’ve done wrong?

Well, to begin with, this is a matter which must be dealt with in your heart. Until you’ve thought about it, and decided in your heart that you really did mess up and an apology is owed, accepting blame is impossible and any apology you make will be empty.

Once you get to this point and have accepted for yourself that you made a mistake, it’s time to let the other party know that you realize this. Accepting blame is a little bit different than apologizing (though you can do both together).

Essentially, when you decide to accept blame for (or “own up to” ) your mistake, you’re taking fault away from the other party or the surrounding circumstances. You’re no longer looking to make excuses.

Here are some phrases you can use when admitting that you made a mistake and are at fault:

• “I made a mistake.”: This is one of the simplest ways to admit a mistake. It’s straight and to-the-point, and an apology can easily be added to it.
• “This is (all) my fault.”: This phrase is usually better used for larger issues, especially if you include the word “all,” which indicates that a lot has happened or a lot is on the line.
• “I caused this.”: This is similar to the above phrase, but not used quite as often.
• “I know that I messed up.”: This is a simple, humble way of admitting to someone that you did something wrong. “Messed up,” indicates that what you did caused some kind of trouble, whether in the immediate situation or on an emotional level.

You can also add one of the apology phrases you learned to these, in order to turn it into a more formal and sincere apology. For example, you could say, “This is all my fault. I’m really sorry for everything.”

7. Formal/Business Apologies

As in most places, apologies differ a bit once you reach the business world (or even just the office). These differences involve both language and overall manner. In this section, we’ll go over how to say sorry in business English, as well as the mannerisms that usually accompany business apologies in English.

1- Language

You know how earlier we said that the word “apology” is rarely used in the apology itself? Well, the few occasions that it is used, it’s usually in business or work environments. How to say “sorry” in English (formal) is all about professional language and conciseness.

Here are common phrases used when companies make apologies to the public (take note of the use of the word “we” as the company apologizes as a whole):

• “We offer our deepest apologies.”: When a company messes up, it needs to make sure the public knows that it recognizes this. It also needs to make sure that the public sees its apology as genuine.
• “We are deeply sorry for ___.”: This is similar to the phrase above, but a little bit less formal (which, depending on the company and the circumstances, is sometimes an effective approach).
• “We apologize for ___.”: Typically, a company will use a phrase like this for two reasons: 1.) To apologize for a smaller error that didn’t have too many negative consequences, or 2.) To apologize for something without sounding too desperate or over-the-top.
• “We would like to apologize for/to ___.”: This is a little bit more formal than the above phrase.
• “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.”: This phrase is very often used by companies when a slightly larger error or mistake has occurred (particularly if it in any way makes life harder for its customers/consumers). For example, this phrase is likely to be used if a phone company’s service had an outage.
• “Please be patient with us as we strive to resolve this issue.”: Companies know that people have limits to their patience, and that there’s always a competitor around the corner. It’s important for them to let customers know that they recognize the error and that they will fix it.

Apologies that take place on the job or in the office, while not as far-reaching, are still formal. Whether you’re an employee apologizing for not doing a thorough enough job, or an employer admitting a mistake, it’s important to promptly and professionally make apologies as necessary.

2- Manner

People, as individuals and inside relationships, tend to become deeply emotional, especially where apologies are involved. Companies, while manned by people, tend to take a less emotional approach when apologizing.

This said, most companies today strive to maintain a sense of “humanness” in their doings, and this includes making apologies. As you can see in the above examples, companies tend to use some of the same phrases that people do when making sincere apologies (though they make them more formal). And, of course, it’s important that companies follow through on their promises, too.

8. Offering Condolences

Saying sorry can go beyond apologizing for one’s own errors or mistakes. One can also apologize for the wrongdoings of someone else, or for a loss that someone has suffered. Knowing how to say, “Sorry for your loss,” in English can give you the ability to console someone going through a difficult loss, and show them you care.

Here are some examples of phrases that you can use to offer condolences in English:

• “I’m (so) sorry for your loss.”: This is the most common way to offer condolences for someone’s loss. Simple and to the point, this phrase shows that you sympathize with this person’s feeling of loss.
• “I’m (so) sorry that you suffered this loss.”: Similar to the above phrase, this is used to show sympathy and compassion for someone who’s lost a loved one or something else of immense importance to them.
• “I know that this is hard for you.”: This phrase goes a step further, and can be added to one of the above phrases. It acknowledges that you understand the pain that this person is feeling, even if you’re not experiencing it yourself.
• “I’m sorry this happened to you.”: This phrase can be used when a person has been struck with some kind of disaster or has been wronged in some way. It shows deep sympathy and validates the person’s mourning over the situation.
• “I know that this person meant a lot to you.”: This phrase can be used to try and console someone who has lost a loved one. It acknowledges the significance of the event and the pain it caused.
• “My condolences.”: This may be the simplest way to offer someone your condolences. This is best used when offering condolences to someone you don’t know well, or when you really don’t know what else to say. Though simple, this phrase is well-accepted and appreciated.
• “I offer my condolences.”: This is a slightly more elaborate way of saying the above phrase, and has the same connotation.

9. Body Language

We’ve gone over a lot of words and phrases, haven’t we? It’s because, as people, we make a lot of mistakes. 😉

But oftentimes, the body language you use while apologizing is just as important (if not more so) as the words you use.

Let’s go over some important body language and gestures to use while apologizing, based on how severe the apology is.

1- Smaller Apologies

When it comes to making a smaller apology, there’s not too much to know about body language.

If you’re apologizing to a close friend or family member, a small apology is usually well-received if you make eye contact, and devote your attention to them during the exchange. (Of course, in the United States, if it’s something really petty, you can just say “Sorry,” or “My bad,” without eye contact.)

Eye contact is especially important if apologizing to a stranger for something small, as this shows sincerity. In the U.S., people greatly appreciate sincerity in any apology, even small ones; lowering one’s eyes or avoiding eye contact is often seen as a sign of insincerity or lying.

2- Larger Apologies

Eye contact is also important for larger apologies. However, also keep in mind that if you’ve done something that really hurt or offended this person, they may want some distance from you; don’t try to force eye contact or close proximity if they don’t seem interested.

Be sure to focus your full attention on the person you’re apologizing to, as this is a sign of respect and also reflects the fact that you’re taking this situation seriously.

Sometimes, especially when you’re apologizing to a family member, you can gently take their hand in yours while apologizing as a way of consoling them and showing that you mean what you say. This can also be a sign of affection, or even desperation for forgiveness.

10. Conclusion: How Can EnglishClass101.com Help You Learn More English?

Now you know some different ways to say sorry in English, no matter how severe the situation. Be sure to practice saying these phrases as much as possible, and incorporate body language (especially eye contact) when you can. Apologizing allows for growth and healing, both for the person you’re apologizing to, and for yourself.

Do you have a better idea of how to say sorry in different ways in English? Are there any creative ways to say sorry in English that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re interested in learning even more English (and in a way that’s entertaining and efficient), be sure to visit us at EnglishClass101.com. Here, you’ll find all the tools you need to grow more confident in your English language abilities, and can even learn more about the culture in the United States. This includes vocabulary lists, helpful blog articles, and our MyTeacher app which offers you one-on-one guidance in your English-learning journey.

We wish you the best in your pursuit to learn English, and hope this article was of great help to you! With enough practice, you’ll be speaking like an English native before you know it!

What day is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? How can you take part? What on earth is a landlubber?

In this article, you’ll learn a little bit about a relatively new, U.S.-born holiday, dedicated to talking like a pirate. What fun would learning a language be without a little deviance from the usual, anyway?

At EnglishClass101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative! And today, we hope you walk away from this lesson with all the pirate-y conversation material you’ll need to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Let’s get starrrrted.

1. What is Talk Like a Pirate Day?

On International Talk Like a Pirate Day, people are encouraged to talk like a pirate! This is a parodic, or silly, holiday, created in 1995. This holiday originated in the United States, and is the idea of two men from the state of Oregon: John Baur (who goes by the pirate name Ol’ Chumbucket) and Mark Summers (or Cap’n Slappy).

Like most good things in life, this holiday actually began as an inside joke between the two, but became publicized after they wrote to a humor columnist about it. People love an excuse to be silly, so it quickly caught on.

2. When is International Talk Like a Pirate Day?

International Talk Like a Pirate Day takes place on September 19 each year.

3. International Talk Like a Pirate Day Activities

While there are no set in stone activities for Talk Like a Pirate Day, the name says it all. On this day, anyone who wishes to participate should simply talk like a pirate whenever possible. This can refer to specific words and phrases (which we’ll go into detail about below) or even making one’s voice sound gruff and “pirate-y.”

For those who want to go all-out expressing their admiration for pirate speech, there may also be pirate-themed parties or get-togethers. During these, people may even dress up like pirates, with beards, pegleg, and eyepatches! Who wants to wait another month for Halloween, anyway?

Due to the rise in popularity of Talk Like a Pirate Day, many companies offer special promotions or events as well, related to piracy.

4. Vocabularrry for Talk Like a Pirate Day

Here are some International Talk Like a Pirate Day phrases that you’ll need to celebrate this fun holiday like there’s no tomorrow. 😉

• Pirate: Pirates are known for stealing and violence upon the seas, and are depicted in various films and books.
• Eye patch: An eye patch is some kind of material that covers one eye, usually because that eye is injured (or missing after a long-ago battle!).
• Booty: This refers to some type of treasure or loot, something that many film pirates find themselves searching for.
• Arr!: This is perhaps the most common and frequently used pirate expression, though sometimes people say this at other times year-round. You can say this just for fun, or when you’re upset about something, or even to agree to what someone said. It’s very versatile.
• Ahoy, Matey!: This is a pirate-y way of saying “Hello, friend!”
• Aye, aye sir!: This is something that pirates under a captain’s orders would say when accepting a task or agreeing to something. On International Talk Like a Pirate Day, you can say this whenever you’re agreeing to something, or agreeing to do something.
• Shiver me timbers!: This is a funny pirate phrase, and it’s basically something you say when you’re scared or in awe of something. A” timber” is a piece of wood that supports the ship of a pirate, which would “shiver” when the sea and winds were strong.
• Landlubber: A “landlubber” is one who dwells entirely on land, as opposed to living life largely in the sea like a pirate. You can call someone a “landlubber” on Talk Like a Pirate Day” to jokingly insult them.
• Walk the plank: This may be the most popularized pirate phrase in movies. Usually, this phrase is used in movies when a pirate’s enemy (or an unlucky lower-rank pirate!) is captured. A “plank” is a slab of wood that hangs over the edge of the ship, so someone told to “walk the plank” must walk off the plank into the sea to drown. But on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, you can say this anytime just for fun.
• Thar she blows!: Pirates would say this to let the other pirates onboard know that he’d seen a whale on the water’s surface. “Thar” means there, and the latter part of the sentence refers to the water blowing out of a whale’s blowhole when they go for air.
• Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!: This phrase is basically the same as “Arrrr!!” but has the gg sound at the end, which makes it sound angrier. You can use this anytime for fun on International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
• Avast ye matey!: Essentially, this is how pirates would tell other pirates to stop what they were doing, or “hold fast.” Again, you can say this any time on Talk Like a Pirate Day.
• Me hearties: “Me” here really means my, and “hearty” or “hearties” is simply a way to address other pirates onboard.
• Heave ho!: This is a phrase pirates would say when lifting up, or otherwise moving, something that was heavy or difficult.
• Dead men tell no tales: This phrase is a pirate-y way of saying that those who die aren’t able to talk about their adventures (or their knowledge of something). It can be used many ways, but most especially as a threat (like if someone knows something they shouldn’t, a pirate could say this to warn them to keep quiet). But again, it’s just a fun phrase on Talk Like a Pirate Day (and the name of a famous pirate movie). 😉
• Jolly Roger: Despite its name, this is not at all related to the Jolly Rancher candies. The Jolly Roger is the black pirate flag with skull and crossbones.
• Davy Jones’ Locker: When people talk about Davy Jones’ Locker, they’re usually referring to where drowned bodies go, at the bottom of the sea.
• Captain: The captain of a ship is the one who’s in charge of all its goings-on, and can give orders to the rest of the crew.
• Peg leg: A peg leg is a false (or prosthetic) leg that pirates in movies are often depicted wearing, usually when they lose one of their legs.
• Hook: The “hook” is another popular adornment of movie pirates. This is similar to the peg leg, but is an actual hook that is used in place of a hand. A famous pirate with a hook is the aptly named Captain Hook.
• Treasure map: A treasure map is a map created specifically to give directions on how to find a treasure. In movies, pirates oftentimes find themselves using a treasure map to find hidden treasures.

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, and read them alongside relevant images and example sentences, check out our International Talk Like a Pirate Day vocabulary list!

How EnglishClass101 Can Help You Master U.S. Culture

We hope you learned something new today, and that you’re able to get the most out of this holiday with the phrases you learned. Are there any fun, unique, or even silly holidays that are celebrated in your country? Do you know any pirate phrases in your language? Let us know in the comments!

To continue learning about United States culture and the English language, explore EnglishClass101.com. We provide an array of fun and effective learning tools for every learner, at every level:

• Insightful blog posts on a range of cultural and language-related topics
• Free vocabulary lists covering a variety of topics and themes
• Podcasts to improve your listening and pronunciation skills
• Mobile apps to learn English anywhere, on your own time
• Much, much more!

If you’re interested in a one-on-one and personalized learning approach, be sure to upgrade to Premium Plus. Doing so will give you access to your own English teacher who will help you develop a learning plan tailored to your needs and goals. Yes, really!

English is a difficult language to learn, but know that your hard work and dedication will pay off. And EnglishClass101 will be here to help every step of your way to English mastery!

Until next time, Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Body language says what words can’t, and it can serve as an effective maneuver around poor English skills—or difficulties in any other language for that matter! On top of that, body language complements verbal language; it acts a lot like slang in that it makes for more fluent and lively conversation.

However, in order to make this work for you, you need to know how to read body language. Nonverbal communications in English are just as important as they are around the world. This guide on body gestures in our English lesson will help you get a better grasp of American nonverbal communication.

Learn about body language in American culture, as well as an array of body gestures in English, with EnglishClass101.com, and prove yourself an avid language-learner through this unspoken language! Start with a bonus, and download your FREE cheat sheet – How to Improve Your English Skills! (Logged-In Member Only)

Table of Contents

1. Body Language in the United States
2. “Personal Space” in the United States
3. Body Postures
4. Hand Gestures
5. Facial Expressions
6. Different Physical Movements
7. Bonus: Combinations of Body Language Signals
8. Conclusion

1. Body Language in the United States

Before you can learn how to read body language in the United States, it’s important that you know what it is and what it looks like.

First things first: What is body language?

Essentially, body language is how we communicate our thoughts and feelings through gestures or other movements—whether intentionally or not.

For example, most people begin to smile or laugh when they’re feeling happy; they don’t have to say, “I’m feeling happy,” you can just guess that based on their actions and the context.

Context is just as important in learning how to read body language as the actual movements. For example, let’s say that the person mentioned above was smiling and laughing, but you were in the middle of a big fight with them. They probably aren’t happy. Their emotions are just so chaotic that they’re smiling and laughing despite the negative tension.

From rude hand gestures in America to body language in American culture itself, there’s a lot to learn about how to read body language. It’ll take some time to truly master recognizing, reading, and mirroring these gestures and actions, so be patient with yourself and practice as much as you can!

We’ll do our best in this article to present you with relevant body language definitions and examples.

Now, let’s move onto another facet of English body language and gestures—the concept of personal space.

2. “Personal Space” in the United States

Talking about body gestures in English requires that a quick glance at a common aspect of United States culture. Perhaps one of the first things you should know when it comes to body language in American culture is the concept of “personal space” that Americans possess. This is one of the most important concepts to understand when it comes to English body language and gestures.

More so than in many other countries and cultures around the world, Americans cherish their personal space (or as some people call it, their “personal bubble”). This personal space represents the distance that Americans feel others need to keep away from them, both physically and emotionally. And Americans definitely get uncomfortable or even annoyed if this space is invaded in the least.

In the United States, people like for other people to keep their distance—when talking, when walking, when waiting in line, when at home, and when out and about. Obviously, “rules” about personal space vary from person to person, and from relationship to relationship.

However, according to The Spruce, typical personal space rules in the United States are as follows:

• Approximately 0 to 20 inches for intimate couples
• Approximately 1-1/2 feet to 3 feet for good friends and family members
• Approximately 3 feet to 10 feet for casual acquaintances and coworkers
• More than 4 feet for strangers
• More than 12 feet for speaking to a large group

As someone who’s new to the United States, you’ll probably be forgiven for not following these rules to a tee. But it’s definitely polite to try your best and stick to these norms; you’ll be a lot more likely to gain the favor of many an American.

That said, let’s look at some American body language gestures, and gain more insight into English gestures and body language.

3. Body Postures

You can tell a lot about how a person is feeling by their body posture, even if they’re not really doing anything. Let’s explore a few examples of American body language postures and what they mean.

1- Leaning Forward

• Meaning: Leaning or bending forward while sitting down usually means that you’re interested (or even intrigued) by what the other person is saying. It shows attentiveness.
• How to do: While sitting during a conversation, you can lean forward slightly from the bottom of your spine; don’t overdo this, as it can come across as rude or awkward.
• When to use: This is probably best used in informal settings, and should be used sparingly. You can lean forward a little bit if you’re having a talk with a friend about something that interests you.
• Example situation: You and your friend are out getting coffee together and she starts telling you about a police chase she saw on her way to the cafe. You lean forward slightly as she describes the details of this enthralling chase scene.
• Additional notes: In addition to simply leaning slightly forward, some people also raise their eyebrows or put their hand to their chin as these can be indicators of deep thought or interest.

2- Leaning Back

• Meaning: Leaning back in your chair while sitting down usually indicates that you’re very relaxed, and can even be a way of showing satisfaction or relief.
• How to do: There’s no set way to do this. Basically, you lean slightly backward instead of sitting straight, often ridding yourself of tension in your back. Some people also put their legs out in front of them, crossed or uncrossed; others hang their arms over the chair/sofa in relaxation, or put their hands to the back of their head in a stretch.
• When to use: You can use this any time you’re feeling relaxed, relieved, or laid-back about something (or any of those things in general).
• Example situation: Let’s say you’re sitting at your computer and you just finished a huge project that’s due tomorrow. You save and close the assignment, turn off the computer, and lean back in your chair as an outward show of relief.
• Additional notes: While this posture usually indicates relief about something or general relaxation, you should be careful about when you use it. For example, leaning back in your chair during a school lecture or during a business meeting will indicate that you’re uninterested or just don’t care enough to sit straight—not a good impression to make on people in your professional life. Some people also consider this a “defensive posture.”

3- Crossed Legs (at the knee)

• Meaning: Crossing one’s legs while sitting is basically just a comfortable way of sitting. It usually denotes relaxation and ease.
• How to do: While sitting down straight, move one of your legs (it doesn’t matter which one) so that it’s on top of the other one. Usually, your mid-thighs and knees will overlap, while the calf of the leg you put on top hangs slightly over your other calf.
• When to use: You can use this just about anytime and anywhere, but it’s typically best suited to more informal occasions. If you’re hanging out with friends at a coffee shop, reading a good book at home, or at any type of informal social gathering, it’s completely acceptable to use this posture while sitting. But you should be very cautious about sitting this way during business meetings or other events where you’re expected to be professional.
• Example situation: You’re out getting pizza with some friends, and you’re all sitting around a table together. If you start to feel uncomfortable sitting straight and “proper,” you can shift your weight in a way that’s more comfortable to you by crossing your legs.
• Additional notes: While this is one of the most common sitting positions in the United States (and quite convenient and comfortable), there’s a lot of debate around it. Many people are starting to claim that this posture is bad for you, and that sitting straight and proper is best. On the other end of the spectrum, there are people saying that there may actually be health benefits to sitting this way.

Another thing to keep in mind is that when a woman crosses her legs at the knee, it’s sometimes considered an alluring posture—this depends on various factors, though, such as what she’s wearing and who she’s with.

4- Arms Crossed

• Meaning: More often than not, having one’s arms crossed usually denotes anger, frustration, or insecurity.
• How to do: To cross your arms, begin bringing your arms together just under your chest. Arrange them, as you’re bringing them toward your chest, so that your left hand will rest under the crook of your right arm, and vice-versa. Your left arm will rest on top of your right arm where they intersect.
• When to use: Crossed arms can technically be used in any situation, but it’s best used sparingly as it usually has a negative connotation. You can use the crossed arms posture when you’re feeling angry or “put off” with someone, or when you’re in a situation that makes you uncomfortable (crossing your arms can feel almost like giving yourself an extra layer of protection, and is often done unconsciously for this reason).
• Example situation: You and a coworker are arguing over the best way to complete a project, and in a moment of frustration you cross your arms.
• Additional notes: Crossed arms can be used for more emotions and situations than listed above, though the ones listed above are the most common and standard. Crossed arms can also be used when you’re feeling chilly, and even for no other reason than more comfortable posture when standing for a long time.

5- Slouching

• Meaning: Slouching is usually received negatively, and often indicates laziness or other negative characteristics. It’s also considered bad posture in general, and can be done standing or sitting.
• How to do: Though you probably don’t want to slouch, this is usually done by slumping your back and/or shoulders, so that you’re no longer standing or sitting straight. This is different from leaning forward or backward because when you slouch, your overall posture is very bad and the act of slouching usually involves your shoulders (as opposed to only a slight change in the position of your back).
• When to use: Slouching can be done anywhere and at any time. It should be especially avoided during formal occasions.
• Example situation: You’re sitting at your desk working, and suddenly realize that your back and shoulders are drooping or hunched over; you quickly correct your posture.
• Additional notes: As mentioned earlier, slouching should be avoided as much as possible (though it’s easy to find yourself in this position by accident). It’s considered rude and has an overall negative connotation, not to mention slouching is terrible for your postural health.

4. Hand Gestures

A list of body language examples wouldn’t be complete without covering popular hand gestures. Here’s a list of some of the most common hand gestures in America and what they mean.

1- Thumbs-up/down

• Meaning: A thumbs-up means “okay,” or a similar positive word. A thumbs-down usually means “no,” “not good,” or a similar negative word.
• How to do: To do a thumbs-up hand gesture: Turn your hand sideways (usually your right hand), so that your thumb is on the top side. Then, curve all of your fingers so that they’re curled in your palm and extend your thumb out in an upward position.

  To do a thumbs-down hand gesture: Turn your hand sideways (usually your right hand), so that your thumb is on the bottom side. Then, curve all of your fingers so that they’re curled into your palm and extend your thumb out in a downward position.

• When to use: The thumbs-up gesture is often used in place of the word “okay,” and can also be used as a general sign of approval. The thumbs-down gesture is the opposite, and is used as a general sign of disapproval.
• Example situation: Let’s say you and a friend are out shopping together, and you stop by the food court. Your friend asks if you would like to get food from the Panda Express window; you give the thumbs-up gesture and nod to show that you would like to eat there.

2- High-five

• Meaning: A very American hand gesture, the high-five is a way of expressing congratulations or excitement, usually for a job well done. It’s one of the most common hand gestures in America.
• How to do: As the linked video shows, there are several different ways to do the high-five. But here, we’ll just go over the basic, most common high-five. To do this, you and another person hold your palm out flat, fingers spread. Then you both raise the arm you’ll be high-fiving with, and thrust them toward the other person’s arm so that your outstretched hands will hit each other and make a clapping sound. (The video will make this make a lot more sense.)
• When to use: The high-five is typically used in order to express congratulations or excitement about something, and is best used with friends in informal settings.
• Example situation: Let’s say your friend applied for their dream job, waited weeks for a response, and then comes over to tell you they got the job. You might be so happy for your friend that you initiate a high-five (and then go out for ice cream together).
• Additional notes: High-fives can be notoriously tricky, and even people who have been high-fiving their entire life mess it up sometimes. It’s not complicated, but unless both people are completely prepared for the high-five it might not go as planned. Be patient with yourself while you learn this one, and realize that you’ll probably never have it down 100%.

3- Wave

• Meaning: Waving is basically a way of greeting someone, usually from afar.
• How to do: While there are several types of “waves” you could do, we’ll go over the most basic greeting one. To do this, extend your arm (usually your right arm) into the air so that the person you’re waving to can see it, and move your wrist from left to right several times.
• When to use: Waving is typically used to get someone’s attention and greet them from a distance.
• Example situation: You’re in the checkout line at the grocery store and you spot someone you know in the line next to yours. You look in their direction, and start waving if they happen to be looking in your direction too.
• Additional notes: Sometimes just waving isn’t enough to grab someone’s attention; in this case, you can also say their name while waving so that they’ll hear you and maybe come over to talk.

4- Extending Hand

• Meaning: Extending your hand to someone almost always means that you want to shake their hand (though it could have other meanings that we’ll look at later).
• How to do: To extend your hand to someone, simply extend your arm in their direction, usually with your hand sideways and loosely held.
• When to use: This is usually used when you first meet someone, especially a new colleague or a friend of a friend.
• Example situation: You’re at work and a new colleague is introduced to you. The first thing you’ll probably do is shake their hand.
• Additional notes: Oftentimes, when shaking someone’s hand, you’ll also exchange names and say something like “Nice to meet you,” or “Pleasure to meet you.”

Extending your hand can have more meanings than simply wanting to shake someone’s hand. For example, you may extend your hand to someone if they’ve fallen down and you want to help them up. You can also extend your hand to someone if you want them to take it while walking together, such as a man may do to a woman he’s courting.

5- Waving Toward Yourself

• Meaning: You may wave toward yourself if you want someone to come closer to you.
• How to do: Extend your arm outward, then sweep it toward yourself (usually just once or twice).
• When to use: You can use this any time you see someone you know at a distance and want to chat with them or otherwise have a conversation with them.
• Example situation: You’re walking down the street and see someone you know. You catch their attention and wave toward yourself so that you can say hello.
• Additional notes: You can also use this gesture if you want someone to follow you; if done in this context, you’ll usually be walking or running a certain direction, and will wave more in the direction you’re going than actually at yourself.

6- Pointing Index Finger Away from You

• Meaning: Pointing your index finger away from you usually means one of two things: 1.) It’s a way of telling someone to go in the direction you’re pointing, or 2.) You’re pointing toward something as a way of indicating what/who you’re talking about. (The meaning is usually indicated by the context.)
• How to do: Extend your arm in front of you, and then fold all of your fingers except for your index finger.
• When to use: You can use this as a way of indicating that you want someone to go in that direction, or if you need to show the person you’re talking to what or who you’re talking about.
• Example situation: You tell your friend that their crush is just a few feet away, and you discreetly point toward him/her to show your friend.
• Additional notes: Keep in mind the old adage that “It’s rude to point.” While it’s sometimes okay to use this gesture as described above, it’s best not to point directly at a person (especially if there’s a good chance they’ll see you!). And if you’re pointing in a general direction or at a specific place, it’s good practice to make sure there’s no one around who will think you’re pointing at them. In order to get around this, some people use their arm as a whole to do this gesture, not using a finger to point.

7- Raise Hand

• Meaning: When you raise your hand, you’re almost always indicating that you have something you want to say during a group discussion of some kind.
• How to do: This is usually done while sitting in a group, though it can also be done while standing. Simply extend your arm (usually your right arm) upward above your head. Make sure that your fingers are pressed together (not spread apart or in a fist).
• When to use: You can use this gesture to catch the main speaker’s attention (for instance, a teacher or professor in a classroom) so that they’ll “call on you,” or allow you to speak/ask a question. You can also use this during any group discussion where taking turns talking is mandatory; raising your hand indicates you have something to say or a question you want to ask.
• Example situation: Your bioscience professor is talking about a very complicated topic and you have a couple of questions about something he said. You can raise your hand as described above, and your professor will address you either by allowing you to speak or letting you know you can ask questions after the lecture.
• Additional notes: Raising your hand can also be done if you have a request during a group meeting, especially in a classroom setting. For example, if you need to use the bathroom during class or have to leave early for some reason, you can raise your hand to attract the teacher’s or professor’s attention so you can tell them.

8- Clapping

• Meaning: Clapping can mean multiple things depending on the context, but is usually a form of applause.
• How to do: The most common way to clap is to slap your palms together several times to make a “clapping noise.”
• When to use: Clapping is very common after a performance or show of some kind, as a way of applauding or congratulating the person or people for a job well done.
• Example situation: You attended a concert put on by local bands; you really like the music they’re playing, and so you clap along with the rest of the audience after each performance.
• Additional notes: Keep in mind that clapping can also be done sarcastically. Let’s say your friend tries performing a magic trick for you and totally messes it up; you can clap as a way of warmly teasing your friend about it.

Also, clapping can have other meanings and purposes. For example, a lot of people clap their hands together when they’re trying to remember something (or a loud, single clap once they’ve remembered it or had a great idea). Clapping can also be used while dancing or otherwise enjoying music, such as clapping your hands to the beat.

9- Snap Fingers

• Meaning: The meaning of snapping your fingers is similar to the secondary reasons for clapping your hands.
• How to do: Join together your thumb and middle finger on either hand (or both hands). Then, press your middle finger harder on your thumb and simultaneously swipe it downward. If done correctly, this should produce a snapping sound.
• When to use: You can snap your fingers to the beat of music, after you’ve remembered something or have a good idea, or when you’re trying to remember something.
• Example situation: You’re telling a friend about an interesting person you met at a party, but you can’t remember their name. You start rapidly snapping your fingers as you try to remember, out of frustration and a sense of urgency to remember.
• Additional notes: Some people also use snapping their fingers as a way of establishing dominance over someone (such as when someone snaps for someone to bring them something), or as a way of being “sassy” or “fierce.” In these cases, it’s usually only a single snap and you can tell the intention based on the context.

10- Cross Fingers

• Meaning: Crossing your fingers can have two basic meanings: 1.) You’re wishing or hoping desperately for something, and 2.) If done behind your back, it means you plan on breaking a promise you’re making (this is sometimes referred to as “crossies”).
• How to do: In order to cross your fingers, simply lay your middle finger on top of your index finger.
• When to use: You can use this when talking to someone and wishing them luck, or when you’re making a promise you don’t plan on keeping (but this is obviously rude and frowned-upon).
• Example situation: Your friend is talking to you about a promotion they would like to get. You can cross your fingers as a sign that you hope they get it.
• Additional notes: Most of the time when someone crosses their fingers, they’ll also say the words “fingers crossed,” in a hopeful voice. On some occasions, people will say “fingers crossed,” but not actually cross their fingers.

11- Thumb to Index Finger

• Meaning: This gesture usually means “okay,” “good,” or “very good.”
• How to do: Simply join your thumb and index finger so that it forms a circle.
• When to use: This is common to use when eating, as a way of indicating that the food is good. It can also be used similarly to the “thumbs-up” gesture.
• Example situation: You’re eating at your favorite restaurant with some friends, and they ask you how your food is. You do the thumb-to-index finger gesture to indicate that it’s very good.
• Additional notes: While doing this gesture, it’s also common to actually say the words “okay,” “good,” or “very good,” though you don’t need to.

12- So-so

• Meaning: This gesture indicates that something is “so-so” or just okay.
• How to do: Hold your hand (usually your right hand) in front of you and tilt it from side to side.
• When to use: You can use this gesture if someone asks you how something was or how you liked something, and you don’t have a particularly strong opinion about it either way.
• Example situation: Your significant other asks you to watch a movie with them that you’re not particularly interested in. After the movie, they ask you what you thought of the movie. You do the “so-so” gesture to tell them it wasn’t great, but you’ve seen worse movies.
• Additional notes: When using this gesture, it’s common to also say the words, “It was okay.”

13- Middle Finger

• Meaning: Also called “flipping someone off,” giving someone the middle finger is a very rude way of indicating anger, frustration, or strong disapproval.
• How to do: Stick out your middle finger and turn your hand over so that your wrist is facing upward. Point your finger in the direction of the person you’re flipping off.
• When to use: It’s best not to. But if you really feel the need to, this rude gesture is used most often when driving once “road rage” kicks in or when someone’s driving very badly or dangerously. It can be used in various other contexts too, but as mentioned earlier, it’s best not to.
• Example situation: You’re running late to work, traffic’s really bad, and someone pulls out in front of you unexpectedly and you almost collide. You honk your car horn and give that driver the middle finger.
• Additional notes: This gesture should be used very sparingly, if at all. And above all else, never use this gesture toward someone of authority or high status, such as a teacher, professor, boss, or police officer. This is one of the most rude hand gestures in America.

14- Clenched Fist

• Meaning: Clenching your fist usually shows that you’re angry, though some people also clench their fists as a show of frustration or fear.
• How to do: Curl all of your fingers tightly around each other in the shape of a fist, with your thumb either inside the fist or outside.
• When to use: This gesture is usually used when someone is angry or frustrated, whether at a specific person or at a situation they can’t control.
• Example situation: For instance, let’s say your friend finds out that they’re going to be laid off from their job. If they feel like this is unfair or have other negative attitudes toward the company/their boss, they may start clenching their fists while telling you about it.
• Additional notes: Sometimes, people repeatedly clench and unclench their fists, usually as a show of great distress or frustration.

15- Index Finger to Lips

• Meaning: This gesture indicates that you want someone to quiet down or stop talking entirely, or that you want them to keep a secret.
• How to do: Put your index finger (usually your right index finger), pointing upward, to your lips.
• When to use: Use this gesture to tell someone to be quiet or to keep something you told them private.
• Example situation: You and your friend are talking about something in private, and someone you know starts approaching. You’ll quickly look at your friend and put your index finger to your lips to let them know to stop talking.
• Additional notes: When doing this gesture, a lot of people also make the “shh” sound, otherwise known as “shushing.”

16- Air Quotes

• Meaning: This gesture is meant to represent quotation marks, and means that you’re either quoting someone/something, or are sarcastically saying something.
• How to do: Keep all fingers curled except for your index and middle finger; keep those two fingers close together. While you’re saying the quote or the sarcastic phrase, bend the top parts of those two fingers on each hand up and down.
• When to use: Use this gesture when you’re either quoting someone/something or saying something in a sarcastic manner.
• Example situation: You and your significant other are at the store, and they say that they’re going to buy a chocolate bar for you. “Oh,” you’ll say, “you’re buying a chocolate bar [air quote] for me [air quote]?” But you know full well they want the chocolate more than you do.

17- Star Trek’s “Live Long and Prosper”

• Meaning: This very American gesture is a way of saying “Live Long and Prosper,” which is a famous line (and gesture) from the popular Star Trek series.
• How to do: Separate your thumb from the rest of your fingers. Then, split your remaining four fingers so that your index and middle finger are joined and your ring finger and pinky are joined together. It should form a “V” shape.
• When to use: This is best used in informal settings, and can be used as a nerdy way of wishing someone well.
• Example situation: You and a friend are about to part ways after spending the day together. Before you leave, you tell your friend “bye” and use this gesture. This is best used with friends who have watched Star Trek and know what this means.
• Additional notes: Not everyone is able to make this symbol with their hand, and even for those who can, it’s harder for some than for others. So if you’re not capable of doing this, it’s really nothing to worry about.

5. Facial Expressions

In American body language, there’s an array of facial expressions to learn about and explore for yourself. Body language, when speaking in English, consists of many of the following facial expressions:

1- Doubt

• Meaning: When someone makes a face that expresses doubt, it means that they aren’t entirely sure about something—this can be something you said, information they heard, or uncertainty about a situation.
• How to do: Oftentimes, people express doubt through shifting their mouth to one side, raising their eyebrows, and looking hard at someone or something.
• When to use: You can use this type of facial expression whenever you’re unsure of something.
• Example situation: Your friend tells you that they spend two hours at the gym every night. You give them a doubtful expression because you don’t believe them.
• Additional notes: There can be multiple ways of expressing doubt through facial movement. What I outlined above just represents what’s most typical based on my own experiences.

2- Confusion

• Meaning: When someone makes a face that expresses confusion, it means that they are visible confused about something or have no idea what’s going on.
• How to do: Oftentimes, people express confusion through widened eyes, scrunched eyebrows, and putting their hand to their chin or other place on their face.
• When to use: This type of expression is often used when someone’s having a hard time understanding something or when they’re told new information that doesn’t match up with what they know already.
• Example situation: In an economics class, you’re told that it’s a bad idea to change insurance companies because it will lower your credit score; you’re later told by the same teacher that sometimes it’s good to change insurance companies. You make a confused face and then raise your to hand to ask for clarification.
• Additional notes: As with expressing doubt, there are many ways to express confusion. What’s outline above is just the most typical way of doing so based on my experience.

3- Anger

• Meaning: When someone makes a face that expresses anger, it shows that they are angry, frustrated, or just sick and tired of the person they’re with (or situation they’re in).
• How to do: Oftentimes, this is done through scrunched eyebrows, the face reddening, tightened lips (or a snarl), and sometimes a distant or overly focused look on the face.
• When to use: You may use a facial expression similar to the one above without even realizing it when you’re angry.
• Example situation: You just found out that someone you trusted with a secret told someone else about it. When you confront the person about it, you make an angry face.
• Additional notes: Different people express anger differently, and so there really is no set way to express anger. (For example, there’s “hot” anger and “cold” anger which are expressed quite differently.)

4- Clenched Teeth

• Meaning: Clenched teeth usually mean one of two things: 1.) It can mean that the person is angry, or 2.) It can mean that you’re cold.
• How to do: This is done by clamping down on your jaw so that your teeth are clenched together.
• When to use: You can use this when you’re feeling angry (or particularly if you’re trying to keep from saying or doing something you’ll regret while angry), or when you’re feeling cold (as this is often an automatic reaction).
• Example situation: You’re getting more and more upset with someone for doing something that annoys you. You’re definitely angry, but trying not to say anything rude or mean, so you’re clenching your teeth.
• Additional notes: Clenched teeth can honestly mean a multitude of different things, though the two mentioned here are the most common. For example, some people also clench their teeth when nervous or when focusing intently on a task.

5- Sticking out Tongue

• Meaning: When someone sticks out their tongue, it’s usually a way of saying something along the lines of, “So there,” or “Whatever,” in a sarcastic manner. It shows mock anger or frustration.
• How to do: Stick your tongue out of your mouth at someone; this is usually done along with squinting your eyes and giving a mock sigh of contempt.
• When to use: You can use this facial expression after someone does or says something that mildly annoys you.
• Example situation: You just lost a card game five times in a row to a friend, and now they’re gloating about it. You stick out your tongue at them to playfully let them know they should stop gloating.
• Additional notes: There’s a slightly similar facial expression where someone opens their mouth and points with their finger into it; this has a different meaning and is usually a sign of disgust with someone or something.

6- Raised Eyebrows

• Meaning: Raised eyebrows can have a variety of meanings. Usually, raised eyebrows are used in expressions of doubt, surprise, or even frustration.
• How to do: To do this, you just raise both of your eyebrows.
• When to use: You can use this in a variety of situations, but most especially if you’re surprised or in doubt about something.
• Example situation: Someone tells you a bit of news that you’re not sure is true, so you raise your eyebrows to let them know you’re in doubt.
• Additional notes: There’s also the gesture of raising one eyebrow, which can have the same meaning as this, or can be used to appear more charming.

7- Eye Roll

• Meaning: An eye roll is the epitome of sarcasm. It basically means, “Yeah, right,” “Whatever,” or “I don’t care.”
• How to do: This can be done with your eyes open or closed. Simply take a moment to roll your eyes in a circular motion.
• When to use: Usually, an eye roll is used when someone is telling you something and you’re frustrated or angry with them. It can also be used if you don’t believe what you’re being told, if you don’t really care, or if you’re frustrated about a situation in general.
• Example situation: A child is pulled aside by his parent to be scolded for rude behavior. He rolls his eyes while his parent is talking (and gets in even more trouble for it).
• Additional notes: As in the above situation, keep in mind that it’s never a good idea to use the eye roll toward someone who’s superior to you in any way (though this is usually when it’s most tempting to do so!). Do you best to only use it in informal situations, and use it sparingly.

8- Avoiding Eye Contact

• Meaning: When someone avoids eye contact, it usually means that they’re feeling insecure (either because they’re shy or they’re being dishonest about something).
• How to do: Avoiding eye contact is simply done through focusing your sight on something besides another person’s eyes (or that person in general, depending on the circumstances).
• When to use: This is usually used when you’re feeling insecure about something or aren’t being honest.
• Example situation: You’re asking a friend an important question and you notice that they won’t look you in the eyes while they’re answering. You suspect they may not be telling you the whole truth.

9- Biting Lip

• Meaning: Biting one’s lip can have multiple meanings. Some of the most common are uncertainty, being deep in thought, or thinking about what to say.
• How to do: This is usually done one of two ways: 1.) Digging slightly into your lower lip with your top teeth, or 2.) Digging slightly into your upper lip with your bottom teeth.
• When to use: You can use this facial expression to tell someone that you’re not sure about something or need to think before you respond to what they said.
• Example situation: You’re at the library with your crush, returning a book that they suggested to you. They ask you if you read all of it and what you thought. You bite your lip, then reveal that you really didn’t care for it and only got a couple of chapters in.
• Additional notes: Some people also find it endearing and charming when someone bites their lip.

10- Wink

• Meaning: A wink usually indicates either a secret between two people, or is a way of acting cute or flirting.
• How to do: Blink only one of your eyes in the direction of another person; this can be done either discreetly or more openly, depending on your reasons for winking at them.
• When to use: You can wink at someone as a lighthearted way of quietly bringing up a secret between the two of you, or if you’re trying to be cute in front of someone you like.
• Example situation: Your waitress at a restaurant helps you find a better deal on the menu than what you were going to order. You thank her. She winks and replies, “No problem.”

11- Funny Face

• Meaning: A “funny face” has no actual, solid meaning.
• How to do: There’s no set way to make a “funny face.” It can literally be anything you do to your face that doesn’t look like a “normal” expression.
• When to use: Funny faces are usually used when taking selfies, either alone or with friends. They make for interesting and often hilarious memories.
• Example situation: You’re at a family get-together, and someone decides to take a group photo. They might ask for one “normal” photo where everyone’s smiling, and then ask for a “silly” photo, where everyone makes a funny face of some kind.
• Additional notes: Funny faces can be used outside of picture-taking as well, such as when you’re discussing something funny with a friend or feel the need to be extreme or sarcastic about expressing your emotions on something.

6. Different Physical Movements

Aside from the gestures and postures mentioned above, there are a few other movements that you should know about. Let’s take a look at these English body gestures.

1- Nodding

• Meaning: Nodding can have multiple meanings. Usually, it’s used as a way of saying “yes.” It’s also used to show someone that you’re listening to them while they’re talking.
• How to do: Simply bob your head up and down. If you’re using it to say “yes,” you should do this a little bit faster than if you’re simply using it to acknowledge that you’re listening.
• When to use: Use this if you want to tell someone “yes,” or give them your approval about something. You can also use it during a conversation in which the other person is doing most of the talking. These both can be used in just about any situation.
• Example situation: Your friend asks if you would like to go get sushi with them. You nod your head and say, “Yeah, that sounds great.”
• Additional notes: On occasion, a single nod is also used to indicate “yes,” as opposed to nodding multiple times.

2- Shaking Head

• Meaning: This is usually used as the opposite of nodding, and can also be used as a general expression of disappointment or disapproval.
• How to do: Move your head from right to left or vice-versa.
• When to use: Use this in place of saying “no,” or use it to show that you’re disappointed or disapprove of something.
• Example situation: After you’ve had sushi with your friend, they ask if you’d like to see a movie as well. You shake your head, then explain that you need some down time.
• Additional notes: Sometimes when this is used as a way of showing disapproval, people use the “tsk” sound while doing it.

3- Shrug

• Meaning: This usually means “I don’t know,” or “I don’t care.”
• How to do: This is usually done by lifting your shoulders, with your hands lifted to just above your stomach, palms up.
• When to use: You can shrug when you’re asked a question that you don’t know the answer to, or that you don’t really care to answer.
• Example situation: Your friend asks you what toppings you would like on the pizza you’re going to share. You shrug, and say “Whatever you want.”
• Additional notes: Shrugging is often accompanied by tilting one’s head, shifting their mouth (or pouting), raising their eyebrows, or similar gestures.

4- Fidgeting

• Meaning: Fidgeting can mean a variety of things, though it usually indicates boredom or stress. Sometimes, fidgeting gestures are also referred to as “tics.”
• How to do: There’s no set way to “fidget” as this can look different from person to person. We’ll talk about some examples below.
• When to use: Fidgeting is usually done when someone is bored or as a way of relieving stress.
• Example situation: You’re really stressed about a project you’re working on, and after working on it for several hours you realize that you’ve been tapping your foot and touching your face a lot.
• Additional notes: Some common examples of fidgeting gestures or tics include, but aren’t at all limited to: biting your nails; playing with your hair in any manner; tapping your foot; clicking a pen; tapping on your desk; cracking your knuckles or other body part; picking at your skin; looking around too much; excessive stretching; and the list goes on.

There are certain situations where engaging in a fidgeting gesture is especially rude, such as in most professional settings. Though most fidgeting gestures are a force of habit and are very difficult to break, it’s always good to do your best to avoid them in settings like this. (Or if you’re around someone who’s particularly annoyed with your fidgeting.) This is definitely not a very desirable American body language in business.

7. Bonus: Combinations of Body Language Signals

As you may have noticed above, there are times when someone will use multiple body language signals and gestures at the same time. While these sometimes combine well and make perfect sense, it can sometimes be confusing to understand why they’re using the gestures they’re using.

Instead of giving you a long list of possible gesture combinations and what they could mean (which would be impossible to finish!), I’ll just point out that it’s totally fine if you can’t always follow someone’s body language signals.

While some gestures come naturally to just about everyone and make perfect sense almost universally, it’s important to remember that everyone is unique and so their way of expressing themselves is too. Just do your best to learn some of the basics outlined here to get a good idea of what to expect while in the United States, and how to mirror what the people around you are doing.

Good luck!

Conclusion

We went over so many American body language and gestures! We hope that you learned a little more about how to read body language in the United States and what you can expect during your visit (or your stay!). Further, we hope that you now understand why human body language in learning English is so important and how it can enrich your communication.

If you want to learn even more about the English language and the United States, be sure to visit us at EnglishClass101.com. We offer a good variety of vocabulary lists as well as insightful blog posts on various topics. You can discuss various topics with other English-learners using our online community, and don’t be shy to download our MyTeacher app for a one-on-one learning experience as well!

We wish you the best in your language-learning journey and hope that you’ll continue practicing these body gestures until you’re a pro. Learning American gestures and body language can be hard, but we believe in you. 🙂

At EnglishClass101, we show you how to use the basics of the language correctly, with loads of aids and easy-to-use tools! Yet learning the slang words and phrases, as well as the texting acronyms of any new language, will greatly increase your ability to chat with native speakers. They often serve to enhance conversation and add color to what you need to say online, without using many words.

Slang language is defined, according to Google dictionary, as “a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.”

So, you should be able to see that if you want in with any community of English locals, it’ll be helpful to get to know their slang.

That said, some slang is universal, and is widely used on the internet. The most popular online spaces include forums and social media platforms such as Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and so on.

Internet slang or text abbreviations appear in the form of acronyms (shortening a sentence or phrase by writing only the first letters of the words), which was made popular on platforms like Twitter, where you can post only a limited number of characters.

For instance, “lol” comes in handy, when you don’t have space to write out “laugh out loud.”

Another form of internet slang is specific words or short phrases that have a meaning other than what they normally do in English. Sometimes, they convey a feeling, or take the place of facial expressions, such as “facepalm,” to depict embarrassment or exasperation.

In other cases, they are completely new words with unique uses. As they say, sometimes just one word tells a whole story—the internet has a whole lingo of its own like that.

In this blog, we offer you a list of the most-used text abbreviations in the form of acronyms, as well as internet slang. So be sure to add these to your arsenal of English vocabulary!

1. Acronyms
2. Internet Slang
3. Conclusion

1. Acronyms

Internet-specific acronyms started appearing almost as soon as social media did. They’re written in capital letters or lowercase, your choice. Scroll through these popular text slangs and chat abbreviation, and start practicing!

1- DSL—Don’t Stay Long/Dumb Stupid Loser

This acronym can have many meanings, but these two are the most commonly used. Not very polite to call someone a “dumb, stupid loser,” so use with discretion.

2- IKR—I Know, Right

This is an American expression mainly used in casual conversation. You use “IKR” to indicate that you fully agree with someone.

This is one of the older internet slang acronyms, so you may want to read up on its history and learn more about its usage.

3- LOL—Laugh Out Loud or Laughing Out Loud

This is one of the first internet slang or text acronyms to find its way onto our screens. We’ve been LOL-ing for decades on social media in reaction to funnies.

However, “LOL” is considered rather outmoded…you’d be more modern if you use the following acronym.

4- Lulz—Laughs

As you can see, “Lulz” is sort of derived from “LOL,” and in addition to indicating that you’re laughing about something, it can also mean “just for laughs.”

5- LMAO—Laugh My Ass Off

The same goes for this one, also an oldie. If “LOL” isn’t strong enough, and you’ve practically ruptured your spleen laughing at something because it’s so funny, “LMAO” is the way to make this known on social media.

Of course this is just an expression; it doesn’t mean you’re literally laughing so hard your backside slides off.

6- ROFL—Roll On Floor Laughing

“ROFL” is similar to “LMAO,” meaning you need to express strongly that something is so hysterically funny, you can barely remain standing.

7- WTF—What The F***

Your chance to swear without offending anyone. This is another abbreviation from long ago that denotes surprise and astonishment, usually in response to something shocking, hugely surprising, or negative.
8- Dafuq—(What) the F***?!
WTF’s more elaborate, non-acronym cousin, which is used in exactly the same way. It’s a new word, really, of which the meaning only becomes clear once you pronounce it.

9- FML—F*** My Life

Still on the topic of legitimate expletives, “FML” is a way for you to comment on something unfortunate that’s happened to you. Also an old text slang acronym, it can be used this way:

“Just had my car professionally wax polished, cost a fortune; drove out and two birds pooped on it. FML.”

This text acronym even has its own website, where people share their misfortunes to be rated.

10- IDGAF—I Don’t Give A F***

A rather crass way to state emphatically that you don’t care.

11- NSFW—Not Safe/Suitable For Work

Some photos and material on the internet is sensitive in nature, meaning that it contains nudity, graphic images, or foul language. This acronym signals that you should take care when viewing the material, as it’s not for everyone’s eyes and might offend someone.

12- NSFL—Not Safe For Life

The former acronym means it’s OK to view the material when you’re not in a work or formal environment. Not “NSFL.” This means the material is particularly graphic and can even be emotionally or mentally scarring. It’s not as often used as “NSFW.”

13- PAW—Parents Are Watching

Probably more popular among teenagers, “PAW” serves as a warning that parents are around.

14- BRB—Be Right Back

This simply is what it says—you’re informing your chat-mate that you need to take a break from the conversation, but will be back soon.

15- MIRL—Me In Real Life

Often used to make fun of yourself, and is usually accompanied by a pic, reaction GIF, or a video.

16- NVM—Nevermind

This one’s pretty self-explanatory, meaning “No need to mind it any longer” or “Don’t worry about this topic.” In English, “Nevermind” as an expression can have a negative connotation, though, and it’s sometimes used as a sort of passive-aggressive brush off. So don’t use it during a fight with a lover!

17- IDK—I Don’t Know

Exactly what it says.

18- YOLO—You Only Live Once

One context in which you would utilize this acronym is when you want to encourage someone to do something they wouldn’t normally do. For instance, if you’re trying to convince a friend to join you for a midnight party in the streets on New Year’s, or go paragliding in the nude, or snort wasabi sauce. ‘Cause “YOLO,” you know?!

19- MTFBWY—May The Force Be With You

This is a well-known phrase from the Star Wars movies, and it’s a way to wish someone good luck.

20- TL;DR—Too Long; Didn’t Read

Quite self-explanatory. Appropriate to use when you get sent a link to a lengthy article, for instance.

21- TNF—That’s Not Funny

Another self-evident acronym. For instance, if someone had to share that notorious Logan Paul YouTube video with you, thinking it’s hilarious, you would respond appropriately with a short “TNF.”

22- WBU—What ‘Bout You

This is an acronym of dialectic slang. Some communities, usually young people, say “’bout” instead of “about.” The rest is easy to derive—ask this if you’re inquiring about someone’s opinion, or how they’re doing in general. For instance:

“Done with homework, off to shops. WBU.”

23- ICYMI—In Case You Missed It

Another self-explanatory acronym to use as a preamble to sharing the latest news on a burning topic.

24- OMG—Oh My God

Another golden oldie, “OMG” now almost has a status as an independent word. Used as a way to express astonishment, surprise, or delight, this is the more positive cousin of “WTF.” Probably somewhat less offensive too, to some.

In very religiously conservative communities, “OMG” may be seen as inappropriate to use, so be sure to exercise discretion when using this popular texting abbreviation.

25- GTG—Got To Go

Mostly used as a terse way to announce your imminent departure from the conversation, or to say that you just have to go somewhere—you feel compelled to visit a place or attend a concert or meeting, etc.

If it’s used to excuse yourself, it could be polite to follow with: “Chat again soon!”

26- OOTD—Outfit Of The Day

Fashion bloggers’ favorite Instagram acronym. It’s useful when you feel the need to share your fashion choices of the day with the world.

27- IMO OR IMHO—In My Opinion or In My Honest/Humble Opinion

An expression often used in conversation. It doesn’t really mean anything, except to announce that you’re about to give your sincere opinion.

That said, hopefully you offer only honest opinions in general, so this is not really a qualifier.

28- IMMD—It Made My Day

This internet slang is used to indicate that something really lifted your spirit, and made you feel good. For instance:

“Tx for the cake you brought to work today. IMMD!”

29- Tx—Thanks

The “x” is used as a placeholder after “T” for the rest of the word, “Thanks.” Often used, it has also been in circulation for ages.

30- AMA—Ask Me Anything

Touted to have originated on Reddit when an authority started using this to open topics for questions, an “AMA” is now a thing. Apparently, even public Question and Answers (Q&As) are now being referred to as “AMAs.” There’s even a “The Best Reddit AMAs of all time” article.

31- Bae—Babe or Before Anyone Else

Be informed and know that Bae in Danish means “poop.” So, now that your innocence is forever spoiled, will you ever again be able to call a loved one your “Bae” with a straight face?!!

On the internet, this text slang is often used as a mockery in memes and such.

32- DM: Direct Message

Taking over from “PM,” which means “Private Message,” “DM” has been gaining traction over the past few years. It’s a way of asking someone to contact you directly and/or privately. You can use it to say, for instance:

“DM with your email plz!”

33- DAE—Does Anyone Else?

Apparently huge on niche forums, Reddit, and some discussion groups, “DAE” is used as a prefix to a question. Like in: “DAE feel the Venus retrograde transit is a killer this week?”

34- ELI5—Explain Like I’m 5

Apparently huge on Reddit, this is a way to ask someone to dumb down a topic so you can understand it in layman’s terms. Or, you could use this to ask a specialist to explain something to you in a simple way: “ELI5: How does mitosis work?”

35- FTFY—Fixed That For You

If you make an unintentional mistake on a media platform, someone can “FTFY,” quite literally. It’s also used sarcastically, such as saying:

“Microsoft is better than Apple Mac.”
“Apple Mac is far better than Microsoft. #FTFY”

36- IRL—In Real Life

The internet is not real life, so sometimes it’s necessary to state when you’re talking about it.

37- JSYK—Just So You Know

Remember “FYI” (“For Your Information”)? This is its cooler replacement and most often used. FYI will make you seem somewhat obsolete on social media, JSYK.

38- TBT—Throwback Thursday

An Instagram favorite, hashtagging “TBT” on a Thursday, with a photo of you when you were cute and chubby, will get you more comments and likes than simply posting the pic.

39- BFF—Best Friends Forever

Well-known and popular, this is used to show you really like someone, or that they’re actually your best friend.

40- YMMV—Your Mileage May Vary

When you’re chatting about a product or your experience with something, you could add “YMMV” to relay that experiences may vary from person to person. For instance: “No issues with today’s Windows update. YMMV.”

41- SMH—Shakes/Shaking My Head

Used to convey a feeling of disappointment, exasperation, or disapproval. Also consider using some of the internet slang terms below, as these have close to the same meaning.

2. Internet Slang

Some phrases and words are synonymous with social media. They serve to communicate an array of things. You may find that these internet abbreviations are just what you need to show others just how you feel.

1- Facepalm

When we’re very embarrassed—sometimes with ourselves, sometimes with another—we instinctively cover our face with our hand(s). Use “facepalm” to express a serious “Oops!” or even exasperation.

2- Headdesk

If you’re super exasperated and don’t suffer fools gladly, you probably feel like banging your head on the desk with frustration. Convey this in internet conversations with one word.

3- Squad Goals

When you see a group of friends together, acting in a way you wish your posse could, you would announce this with a pic and #Squad Goals. It could also mean that you wish you were part of that group, or that you aspire to be part of a group like that. The “squad” obviously refers to your group of friends or the people you hang with.

4- On Fleek

This is a brand-new internet slang phrase with no reference to another word or expression in English. It simply means you or someone else is being super cool, on point, perfect, or amazing. Such as saying: “Rihanna’s eyebrows are on fleek.”

5- Thirsty

Saying you’re “thirsty” for something means you really want it, almost desperately. Like in: “I’m thirsty for that jacket!”

6- Slay

This slang has nothing to do with killing anything or anyone. Used in a sentence, it’s usually to strongly say that someone’s amazingly good at something, or that something’s fantastic. Like in: “Imagine Dragons new album, slay!”

7- I Can’t Even

This phrase is used when you find yourself at a loss for words to express something adequately, either good or bad. Such as: “Lady Gaga’s movie, I can’t even!” It’s also a way of saying: “I’m speechless!”

3. Conclusion

We hope that our internet slang dictionary has been more than helpful for you. Use these as often as possible, and soon you’ll have them memorized. With these internet slangs and English slang words to use when you text message, you’ll sound like a native online too!

To fast-track your learning, make use of Learn-on-the-go apps, with over 1630 audio and video lessons. EnglishClass101 makes many tools available for free.

We also place emphasis on teaching languages as it’s spoken by natives, so you can hit the ground running when you’ve mastered the basics! The large online community associated with our school offers you the perfect training crowd, so you can practice your newly-acquired skills.

Innovative Language really slays online language learning, so don’t wait, enroll today!