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 |
|---|---|---|
| Is that enough? | Is that sufficient? | Is that enough money for the ticket? |
| Is that ok? | Asking if something is acceptable. | Is that ok if I come late? |
| Is the bank far? | Is the bank located at a great distance? | Is the bank far from here? I need to walk there. |
| Is there a [language]-speaking guide? | Ask if a guide exists who speaks a specific language. | Is there a French-speaking guide? |
| is there a direct flight? | Ask about non-stop flight. | Is there a direct flight to Paris? |
| is there a discount? | Is the price reduced? | Customer: "Is there a discount on this laptop?" Seller: "Yes, 10% off." |
| Is there a movie theater nearby? | Is there a cinema close to this location? | Is there a movie theater nearby? Let's watch a film. |
| Is there a nightclub in town? | Asking if a nightclub exists in the town. | Is there a nightclub in town? I want to go dancing. |
| Is there a restaurant in the hotel? | Asking if the hotel has a restaurant. | Is there a restaurant in the hotel? I'm hungry. |
| Is there a store near here? | Asking if a store is located nearby. | Is there a store near here? I need to buy some water. |
| Is there air conditioning in the room? | Asking if the room has AC. | Is there air conditioning in the room? It's very hot. |
| Is there any mail for me? | Asking if you received mail. | Is there any mail for me today? |
| Is there anything cheaper? | Asking for a lower-priced option. | This is too expensive, is there anything cheaper? |
| Is this pen yours? | Asking if the pen belongs to the person. | Is this pen yours? I found it on the desk. |
| Is your house like this one? | Asking if someone's house is similar. | Is your house like this one? It looks nice. |
| Is your husband also from [place]? | Asks if someone's husband originates from a place. | Is your husband also from Spain? |
| Is your son here? | Asking if someone's son is present. | I want to meet him, is your son here? |
| Isn't it? | Tag question seeking agreement. | It's a beautiful day, isn't it? |
| it depends | Indicate that the answer is not fixed. | Will you come? It depends on the weather. |
| It depends on the weather. | Saying that something is conditional on weather. | It depends on the weather whether we go hiking. |
| it depends. | The answer varies based on conditions. | Will you come? It depends on the weather. |
| it happens | Acknowledge that something is normal or common. | Don't worry about the mistake; it happens. |
| it is what it is | Accept a situation that cannot be changed. | We lost the game, but it is what it is. |
| it makes sense | It is logical or understandable. | After he explained the rules, it all made sense. |
| It rained very hard today. | There was heavy rain today. | It rained very hard today, so the streets are flooded. |
