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 |
|---|---|---|
| Which school does he go to? | Asking about someone's school. | Which school does he go to? He goes to Lincoln High. |
| Who are they? | Asking about the identity of people. | I see some people outside. Who are they? |
| Who are you looking for? | Asking about the person being sought. | You seem lost. Who are you looking for? |
| Who are you? | What is your identity? | I don't recognize you; who are you? |
| Who is it? (Inquiring about who is on the phone) | Asking for the caller's identity. | The phone is ringing. Who is it? |
| Who is that? | Who is that person? | Pointing to someone, who is that? |
| who knows | Nobody knows; it's uncertain. | Who knows if it will rain tomorrow. |
| Who sent this letter? | Who is the person that mailed this letter? | Who sent this letter? It has no return address. |
| Who taught you that? | Asking about the teacher or source. | You play guitar beautifully. Who taught you that? |
| Who was your teacher? | Asking for the name of someone's teacher. | Who was your teacher last year? Mine was Mr. Smith. |
| Who won? | Who was the winner? | Who won the game last night? |
| Who would you like to speak to? | Which person do you want to talk to? | Hello, who would you like to speak to? |
| Who's calling? | Asking for the caller's name. | Hello, who's calling please? |
| Who's that man over there? | Asking about a specific man's identity. | Who's that man over there? He looks familiar. |
| Whose book is that? | Asking about the owner of a book. | Whose book is that? I found it on the table. |
| Why are you laughing? | Asking for the reason someone is laughing. | Why are you laughing at my joke? |
| Why aren't you going? | Asking for the reason someone is not attending. | Why aren't you going to the party tonight? |
| Why did you do that? | Asking for the reason behind an action. | Why did you do that without asking me first? |
| why not | Used to agree or suggest something. | Let's go to the beach. Why not? |
| Why not? | Asking for a reason against something. | Why not? It sounds like a great idea. |
| will do | I will do that; okay. | Please send me the file. Will do. |
| Will you remind me? | Asking someone to help you remember something. | Will you remind me to call my mom later? |
| Will you take me home? | Will you drive me to my house? | It's late; will you take me home? |
| work it out | Solve a problem or find a solution. | They had a fight but will work it out. |
| Would you ask him to come here? | Politely requesting someone to call another person. | Would you ask him to come here for a moment? |
