English - Reactions

Lesson 77 of 139

Two friends smiling and talking, practicing English reaction phrases in a friendly conversation.

Goal: Short, natural responses for everyday news

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Welcome to Lesson 77 — quick phrases that keep conversation warm. Say them aloud, listen, and try the short practice.

Level A2: In this lesson (Lesson 77) you'll practice short spoken reactions — surprise, sympathy, relief, and follow-up questions. These friendly phrases are CEFR-aligned and help you respond naturally when friends share good news, bad news, or surprising stories.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Understand and use 13 common reaction phrases in everyday conversation.
  • Practice follow-up questions and sympathy phrases to keep conversations going.
  • Build confidence saying short reactions aloud (listening + speaking practice).
A learner listening to short spoken reactions in an A2-level English lesson about social responses.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Really?

Show surprise or interest in new information

Meaning: Show surprise or interest in new information.

When to use: Use when someone tells you something unexpected and you want them to continue.

"Really? You finished the project already?".
"Really? You finished the project already?".
"Really? You live in that city now?".
"Really? You live in that city now?".

Oh no

React with concern to bad news or a sudden problem

Meaning: React with concern to bad news or a sudden problem.

When to use: Short, natural response to bad news.

"Oh no! Did anyone get hurt?".
"Oh no! Did anyone get hurt?".
"Oh no! Your bag was stolen?".
"Oh no! Your bag was stolen?".

That's great news.

React positively to good news

Meaning: React positively to good news.

When to use: Say this when someone shares happy or successful news.

"That's great news — congratulations!".
"That's great news — congratulations!".
"You got the job? That's great news.".
"You got the job? That's great news.".

I'm sorry to hear that.

Express sympathy after hearing bad news

Meaning: Express sympathy after hearing bad news.

When to use: Polite and caring line for personal difficulties.

Tip: Be careful: don’t say this for trivial things (use 'That's too bad' instead).

"I'm sorry to hear that about your exam.".
"I'm sorry to hear that about your exam.".
"I'm sorry to hear that your flight was canceled.".
"I'm sorry to hear that your flight was canceled.".

That's too bad.

Express mild sympathy or disappointment

Meaning: Express mild sympathy or disappointment.

When to use: Use for unfortunate but not severe news.

"That's too bad — I hope it gets better.".
"That's too bad — I hope it gets better.".
"You missed the show? That's too bad.".
"You missed the show? That's too bad.".

What happened?

Ask for more information after news or an event

Meaning: Ask for more information after news or an event.

When to use: A basic follow-up question to learn details.

"What happened at the meeting?".
"What happened at the meeting?".
"He fell? What happened?".
"He fell? What happened?".

Are you okay?

Check on someone's condition after troubling news

Meaning: Check on someone's condition after troubling news.

When to use: Use to show care after an accident or bad news.

"Are you okay after the fall?".
"Are you okay after the fall?".
"You look upset — are you okay?".
"You look upset — are you okay?".

I can't believe it.

Express strong surprise at unexpected news

Meaning: Express strong surprise at unexpected news.

When to use: Say when you find something hard to believe (positive or negative).

"I can't believe it — you really moved abroad!".
"I can't believe it — you really moved abroad!".
"I can't believe it, he won the race!".
"I can't believe it, he won the race!".

That sounds ___.

React to a described situation with an opinion or feeling

Meaning: React to a described situation with an opinion or feeling (fill in an adjective).

When to use: Use the frame to give a quick opinion: 'That sounds good.' or 'That sounds difficult.'

Tip: Remember to complete the frame with an adjective (e.g., 'That sounds difficult.'), not leave it alone.

"That sounds expensive.".
"That sounds expensive.".
"That sounds fun.".
"That sounds fun.".

I'm glad to hear that.

Show happiness or relief about good news

Meaning: Show happiness or relief about good news.

When to use: Supportive phrase when news brings happiness or comfort.

"They found your cat? I'm glad to hear that.".
"They found your cat? I'm glad to hear that.".
"The test results were fine — I'm glad to hear that.".
"The test results were fine — I'm glad to hear that.".

How exciting!

React positively to exciting news or plans.

Meaning: React positively to exciting news or plans.

When to use: Short, enthusiastic response to something fun or new.

"You're traveling next week? How exciting!".
"You're traveling next week? How exciting!".
"You adopted a puppy? How exciting!".
"You adopted a puppy? How exciting!".

That's a relief.

React to good news after worry or uncertainty.

Meaning: React to good news after worry or uncertainty.

When to use: Use when relief follows a worry.

"The test was canceled — that's a relief.".
"The test was canceled — that's a relief.".
"They found the missing file. That's a relief.".
"They found the missing file. That's a relief.".

I'm happy for you.

Show warm support when someone shares personal good news.

Meaning: Show warm support when someone shares personal good news.

When to use: Use to congratulate or support a friend.

"You passed your interview — I'm happy for you.".
"You passed your interview — I'm happy for you.".
"You're engaged? I'm happy for you.".
"You're engaged? I'm happy for you.".

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna shares good news and then a small problem; David reacts with surprise and concern.

Anna and David talking — the lesson shows how to react to good and bad news naturally in English.

What good news did Anna share?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

I passed my driving test!

I passed my driving test!

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Really? How exciting! That's great news.

Really? How exciting! That's great news.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Thanks! But later I lost my keys.

Thanks! But later I lost my keys.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Oh no! Are you okay? What happened?

Oh no! Are you okay? What happened?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

I called the office — they found them.

I called the office — they found them.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

That's a relief. I'm glad to hear that.

That's a relief. I'm glad to hear that.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Someone says, "I lost my wallet." Which reaction fits best?

Your friend says, "I got the job I wanted!" Which is the best response?

Someone says, "I found my passport after looking everywhere." Which reaction fits best?

You hear, "The neighbor's window broke last night." What follow-up question asks for details?

You: "You passed your exam!" Friend: "That's great news."

You: "You passed your exam!" Friend: "___"

He said, "I cut my hand while cooking." You: "Are you okay?"

He said, "I cut my hand while cooking." You: "___"

Doctor: "The surgery went well and there are no complications." You: "That's a relief."

Doctor: "The surgery went well and there are no complications." You: "___"

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Really?

Show surprise or interest in new information.

Say this phrase out loud:

Oh no

React with concern to bad news or a sudden problem.

Say this phrase out loud:

That's great news.

React positively to good news.

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm sorry to hear that.

Express sympathy after hearing bad news.

Say this phrase out loud:

That's too bad.

Express mild sympathy or disappointment.

Say this phrase out loud:

What happened?

Ask for more information after news or an event.

Say this phrase out loud:

Are you okay?

Check on someone's condition after troubling news.

Say this phrase out loud:

I can't believe it.

Express strong surprise at unexpected news.

Say this phrase out loud:

That sounds ___.

React to a described situation with an opinion or feeling.

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm glad to hear that.

Show happiness or relief about good news.

Say this phrase out loud:

How exciting!

React positively to exciting news or plans.

Say this phrase out loud:

That's a relief.

React to good news after worry or uncertainty.

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm happy for you.

Show warm support when someone shares personal good news.