Everyday Conversations: Learning American English

Flashcards for reviewing American English everyday conversations.

Good morning/good afternoon/good evening

Used at different times of the day to greet people.

Good evening

Often used after 6 p.m. or generally when the sun has set.

Good night

Is NOT a greeting; it is used when leaving a place or group of people.

Don’t mention it

A way of saying “You’re welcome

More

The phrase “You are welcome” formality.

Don’t mention it/No problem/Happy to help

Informal ways of responding to a thank you.

Hi

An informal way of saying “hello.”

How’s it going?

An informal way of saying “How are you?”

Oh, no

A way of saying “I sympathize with you” or “I understand you are not happy.

See you later

An informal way of saying “goodbye.”

I'd like

Means the same as I would like or I want.

Just

The very recent past

By any chance?

Means the same as “possibly.”

Who's

The contracted form of who is.

Sure

Often used in informal conversation to mean “yes.”

It’s a quarter after seven

One of the most common ways of stating the time (15 minutes past 7:00).

Rush hour

The time of day when traffic is heavy because of people commuting to and from their workplace.

Hi, ____, it’s ____

A casual and friendly way to say hello on the phone.

I was wondering if you’d like to …

A polite and indirect way of asking “Do you want to …?”

Sure! I’d love to

Means “Yes, I would love to.

Sounds great!

Is an informal way of saying “That is a good plan.

ll pick you up

Is an informal way of saying “I’ll come to your house so that we can go together.

Cutting out

Describes a difficulty in understanding a caller due to poor cellphone reception.

Reception

The availability of cellular service, the possibility to receive and give calls on a cellphone.

Long time, no see!

This is a common expression used to say hello to someone you haven’t seen in a long time.

What a small world

A common expression used to describe a chance meeting or other such coincidence.

A cold front

Means a large mass of cold air.

Supposed to

Refers to something that is intended or expected to happen.

Yeah / Yup / Uh huh

Informal conversational cues used by native speakers in conversation for yes.

Wind chill

The effect of the wind making the temperature feel colder on a person’s skin.

Driving down

Means “forcing to be lower”

Well

An introductory word that is used as a way to “buy time” while you think about what you want to say next.

Could you tell me …

Slightly more polite than “Can you tell me …?”

I know how you feel

A way of saying “I understand.

911

Is the phone number you dial for emergency services.

How about

A casual way to suggest doing an activity.

Hmm

An expression used to think about something first before speaking.

The recipe calls for

A way of saying “the recipe says we need.

Aisle

Is an orderly lane in a supermarket, with shelved products on both sides

Sure

A friendly expression to mean “OK.”

No problem

here means “Don’t worry.

Oh, yeah!

An expression used here to mean “I just remembered something.

Hey!

A friendly expression meaning “hello.

Do you feel like

Here has the meaning of “do you want to.

Come over

Here has the meaning of “come to my house.

Size medium

Clothing usually comes in small, medium and large sizes.

I’m looking for a

Means “I don’t know exactly which one I want.

Let’s see …

An expression used when a person wants to think something over, to make a choice or decision, or to look for something.

Would you like to …?

Is a polite way to ask “Do you want to …?”

Try it on

Means to test the fit or appearance of a garment by putting it on.

How much is it?

Means “How much does it cost?”

I’ll take it

Means “I will buy it.

Should we … or …?

Is a way of asking “Which is better?”

Let’s (Let us)

Means “I think we should do this.

Rush hour

The time of day when most people are going to or from work

Isn’t that

Is used to check information.

Oh!

Is an exclamation used to express alarm or surprise.

Oh, no!

Is an expression used to express disappointment.

No problem

Here means “It doesn’t matter.

Aren’t you?

Is used to show that the speaker expects a positive answer.

The 3:30 show

Refers to the movie that starts at 3:30.

Would you mind

Is a polite way to ask “Can you do something for me?”

No, not at all

A way of saying “No, I don’t mind” or “I will be glad to.

One

Here “one” is short for “one seat.

Hmm …

Is used to show that the speaker is thinking.

How about

Is used to make a tentative suggestion.

Let’s

Is used to make a strong suggestion.

Oh, yeah?

Is used in a joking way to show a bit of friendly competition.

What time is that soccer game on?

Means “When does the soccer game start?

I much prefer basketball

Here means “I like basketball a lot more than soccer.

Sure thing!

Is an casual expression used to mean “OK.

Shoot some hoops

Means to play an informal game of basketball.

Superlatives

Giving compliments in English often includes using

Red eye

A flight that leaves at night to arrive early the next morning.

Good point

Here means “I agree with you.

Take care of

This phrase is used with animals, people and things.

Yeah, you’re right

This casual expression is used to agree with someone that you know well.

How about

Presents an alternative.

Decide

A useful verb to express choice

Midterm

Students at universities in the United States often take exams midsemester

Final exams

The formal name for Exams at the end of the semester

Command form

Can be used to gently persuade someone.

Awesome

Here means the same as “cool, great, excellent

Tie the knot

Informal term for to get married

2-3 seconds

Firm handshake duration in US

Economist

Stressed

Mr. Wilson

Rising intonation on

At

Emphasis is on

Mary, this is my friend Jim

friendly way to introduce

Alice is excited to hear from John

The rising intonation shows

Can you please repeat that?

When asking to clarify

Meg did not expect to see Julia

Emphasis on hello shows

Really

rising intonation on

Chill

Emphasis on the wind

The doctors wants information

Intonation falls

Could you tell me

polite way to ask direction

Reporting a car accident

Stress key words when

Great baking cookies

Emphasize

Hi there

Intonation rises after

No. Problem

Notice stress on