Real English doesn’t move one word at a time — it flows in ready-made chunks that native speakers grab without thinking. This collection of around 1,200 phrases and expressions covers the everyday combos you’ll hear in casual chats, work emails, and weekend plans. No dusty textbook lists, just the real stuff that helps you sound more natural from day one.
Each entry in the interactive table gives you a clear meaning, a realistic example sentence, and easy-to-read US IPA so you can nail the pronunciation. There’s a play button right next to every phrase — tap it to hear the audio, because your ears need training too. When you’re ready to study offline, a free PDF download button sits below the table.
Words are handy, but phrases are what you actually say out loud. Our free chunk‑based English lessons help you speak in whole expressions — start with Lesson 1 — First Greetings and see how quickly conversations click.
- English Vocabulary hub
- Learn English guide
- Most Common Phrasal Verbs
- Cambridge Dictionary — phrasal verbs & phrases
English Phrases Quiz
Think you’ve already got a handle on common phrases? Try the quick quiz below to see how many you really know.
Common English Phrases and Expressions
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Are you allergic to anything? | Asking if someone has allergies. | Are you allergic to anything before I give you this medicine? |
| Are you American? | Asking if someone is from the United States. | Are you American or Canadian? |
| Are you busy? | Asking if someone is occupied or has free time. | Are you busy? I need to talk to you. |
| Are you comfortable? | Do you feel physically at ease? | Are you comfortable in that chair? |
| Are you coming this evening? | Asking if someone will attend tonight. | Are you coming this evening to the party? |
| Are you free tonight? | Asking if someone is available this evening. | Are you free tonight for dinner? |
| Are you going to attend their wedding? | Asking if someone plans to go to a wedding. | Are you going to attend their wedding next month? |
| Are you going to help her? | Question about intention to assist a female. | She's struggling; are you going to help her? |
| Are you going to take a plane or train? | Asking about travel method: plane or train. | Are you going to take a plane or train to New York? |
| Are you here alone? | Asking if someone is by themselves. | Are you here alone? Would you like to join us? |
| Are you hungry? | Asking if someone wants to eat. | Are you hungry? Let's get some food. |
| Are you married? | Asking about marital status. | Are you married or single? |
| Are you okay? | Asking if someone is fine or needs help. | You look upset. Are you okay? |
| Are you ready? | Asking if someone is prepared. | Are you ready to leave for the airport? |
| Are you sick? | Asking if someone is ill or not feeling well. | You look pale, are you sick? |
| Are you sure? | Asking for confirmation or certainty. | Are you sure you locked the door? |
| Are you working Tomorrow? | Asking if someone has work the next day. | Are you working tomorrow? We could meet. |
| Are your children with you? | Are your kids accompanying you? | Are your children with you on this trip? |
| around the corner | Very near or soon to happen. | The store is just around the corner. |
| as soon as possible | As quickly as you can. | Please send me the report as soon as possible. |
| As soon as possible. | At the earliest possible time. | Please send the report as soon as possible. |
| At (number) o'clock at night. | Specifies a time at night. | At ten o'clock at night. |
| At (number) o'clock in the afternoon. | Specifies a time in the afternoon. | At three o'clock in the afternoon. |
| At (number) o'clock in the morning. | Specifies a time in the morning. | At seven o'clock in the morning. |
| At (number) o'clock. | Use this pattern to specify a time on the hour. | At 7 o'clock. |
