English - Reactions

Lesson 78 of 139

Learner listening and smiling while practicing reaction phrases in English.

Goal: Short replies that keep conversation warm

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

Welcome back! Ready for another quick, helpful lesson. We'll practice friendly reaction phrases you can use every day. You'll listen, repeat, and try short quizzes — fast and useful.

Level A2: Lesson 78 focuses on everyday reaction phrases you can use when someone shares news. You'll practice four simple replies — That must be hard., That's awful., Good to know., and That's interesting. This CEFR-aligned lesson helps you sound natural and supportive in social conversations.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and use four common reaction phrases at A2 level.
  • Show empathy or neutral interest with short, natural replies.
  • Use these phrases in short conversations to keep talk comfortable.
Two friends talking in a café; practice warm reactions and short replies in English.

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.

That must be hard.

Show empathy when someone describes a difficult situation.

Meaning: That must be hard. — Show empathy when someone describes a difficult situation.

When to use: Use when someone tells you about a stressful or difficult situation and you want to show understanding.

Tip: Don't use this for small, neutral facts (e.g., 'I like pizza'). Using it for minor things can sound exaggerated.

You lost your job? That must be hard.
You lost your job? That must be hard.
Studying with a sick child at home must be hard.
Studying with a sick child at home must be hard.

That's awful.

React strongly to very bad or upsetting news.

Meaning: That's awful. — React strongly to very bad or upsetting news.

When to use: Use for clearly upsetting or serious bad news to show strong sympathy.

Tip: Avoid saying this to describe small problems (it can sound sarcastic).

Your car was stolen? That's awful.
Your car was stolen? That's awful.
He broke his leg? That's awful.
He broke his leg? That's awful.

Good to know.

React neutrally to information by showing that it is useful or worth remembering.

Meaning: Good to know. — React neutrally to information by showing it is useful or worth remembering.

When to use: Use for informational updates or tips that you want to acknowledge without strong emotion.

The meeting moved to Tuesday — good to know.
The meeting moved to Tuesday — good to know.
The store closes early today. Good to know.
The store closes early today. Good to know.

That's interesting.

React with interest to news or information.

Meaning: That's interesting. — React with interest to news or information.

When to use: Use when you want to show curiosity or polite interest in what someone said.

You studied abroad? That's interesting.
You studied abroad? That's interesting.
The project changed direction — that's interesting.
The project changed direction — that's interesting.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna tells David about a problem at work; David responds with empathy and interest.

Anna and David chatting; example reactions like empathy and neutral interest are used.

How does David respond to Anna's difficult situation?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

My team missed the deadline and my manager is upset.

My team missed the deadline and my manager is upset.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

That must be hard.

That must be hard.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Yes. And they might cut budget for our project.

Yes. And they might cut budget for our project.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

That's awful. Do you know why it happened?

That's awful. Do you know why it happened?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

We had technical problems. I told IT, and now they fixed it.

We had technical problems. I told IT, and now they fixed it.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Good to know. That's interesting—what did they change?

Good to know. That's interesting—what did they change?

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Your friend says their apartment flooded last night. What is the best reaction?

Someone tells you the meeting moved from 3pm to 4pm. You want to acknowledge the information. Which reply fits?

A classmate explains a research finding that surprises you. What is a natural reaction?

Your friend says they are caring for a sick child and are very tired. Which phrase shows empathy?

When I told Mark his bike was stolen, he said That's awful.

When I told Mark his bike was stolen, he said __.

The teacher moved the exam to Friday. I said, "Good to know."

The teacher moved the exam to Friday. I said, "__."

A coworker explained a new process and I replied, "That's interesting."

A coworker explained a new process and I replied, "__."

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:

That must be hard.

Show empathy when someone describes a difficult situation.

Say this phrase out loud:

That's awful.

React strongly to very bad or upsetting news.

Say this phrase out loud:

Good to know.

React neutrally to information by showing that it is useful.

Say this phrase out loud:

That's interesting.

React with interest to news or information.