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 |
|---|---|---|
| Can I bring my friend? | Asking permission to bring a friend along. | Can I bring my friend to the party? |
| Can I have a glass of water please? | Politely requesting a glass of water. | Can I have a glass of water please? I'm thirsty. |
| Can I have a receipt please? | Asking for a paper that shows what you paid. | After paying, she asked, 'Can I have a receipt please?' |
| Can I have the bill please? | Politely asking for the check at a restaurant. | We're done eating, can I have the bill please? |
| Can I help you? | May I assist you? | Can I help you find something? |
| Can I make an appointment for next Wednesday? | Request to schedule a meeting on that day. | Can I make an appointment for next Wednesday at 2 PM? |
| Can I see your passport please? | Please show me your passport. | Can I see your passport please? We need to check it. |
| Can I take a message? | May I write down a message for someone? | He's not here, but can I take a message? |
| Can I try it on? | May I wear it to see if it fits? | Can I try it on in the fitting room? |
| can i try this on? | Ask to test clothing before buying. | Can I try this on in the fitting room? |
| Can I use your phone? | Asking permission to use someone's phone. | Can I use your phone? I need to call my mom. |
| Can it be cheaper? | Asking if the price can be lowered. | He looked at the menu and asked, 'Can it be cheaper?' |
| Can we have a menu please. | Politely asking for a list of food options. | We sat down and said, 'Can we have a menu please.' |
| Can we have some more bread please? | Politely asking for additional bread. | Can we have some more bread please? This is delicious. |
| Can we sit over there? | May we sit in that area? | Can we sit over there by the window? |
| Can you call back later? | Asking someone to phone again at a later time. | I'm busy now, can you call back later? |
| Can you call me back later? | Requesting a return phone call at a later time. | I'm in a meeting, can you call me back later? |
| Can you carry this for me? | Asking someone to help lift or transport something. | This bag is heavy, can you carry this for me? |
| Can you do me a favor? | Asking someone to help you with something. | Can you do me a favor and pass the salt? |
| Can you fix this? | Asking if someone can repair something broken. | My phone screen is cracked, can you fix this? |
| Can you give me an example? | Requesting an instance to clarify something. | I don't understand, can you give me an example? |
| Can you help me? | Asking for assistance. | Can you help me carry these bags? |
| Can you hold this for me? | Asking someone to temporarily keep an item. | She asked the waiter, 'Can you hold this for me?' while pointing at her bag. |
| Can you please say that again? | Politely asking someone to repeat what they said. | Can you please say that again? I didn't catch it. |
| Can you recommend a good restaurant? | Please suggest a nice place to eat. | Can you recommend a good restaurant near here? |
