ESL, Everyday Expressions, English, Phrases

1. EVERYDAY
EXPRESSIONS
Common Expressions

2. Conversation Building
Expressions
These expressions are used to organize what we say. They’re often said
to change the topic (as transitional phrases), to make the next statement
sound natural.

3. 1. “As I was saying…”
• We use “As I was saying…” when you want to take the conversation back
to an earlier point.
• Often said after something interrupts your conversation
Ex: “As I was saying (before I got a phone all), I have worked for my
company for nearly 5 years.”
Ex: “As I was saying before, you should really consider going on a cruise
instead of planning a holiday by yourself. It’s stress-free!”

4. 2. “Speaking of…”
• We use, “Speaking of…” when you want to start a new topic, but it’s
related to the old topic.
Ex: “I used to go to the cinema weekly before I had children.”
“Oh, me too! Say, speaking of the cinema, did you see that
they were opening a new one near your house?”
Ex:
“John is a former colleague. We worked together at Gentech.”
“Oh! Speaking of former colleagues, did you hear that Amy quit
AB Pharma, and she’s now working for Pharma5?”

5. 3. If you ask me…
• We use, “If you ask me…” when we want to share our opinion, even
though no one asked for it.
Ex: “They’re building a a new shopping mall in Phu My Hung. It’s going to
be really big.”
“Well, If you ask me, I think Crescent & Parkson is enough. Phu My Hung
doesn’t need more malls.”
Ex:
“We’re cancelling our business trip in Da Nang due to bad weather.”
“If you ask me, I think all of our meetings should be over Skype during
the rainy season. It’s frustrating dealing with flight delays & cancellations

6. 4. That reminds me…
• We say, “That reminds me…” when something in the conversation
reminds us of something else.
EX: “Wow! Your son is getting so tall, especially for a 10 year old.”
“Oh, that reminds me. His birthday is coming, and I need to get
him a present.”
Ex:
“Can we please meet to discuss the action plan for next quarter?”
“Of course, and that reminds me, I need to speak to the Director
of Hospital 221.”

7. 5. “Come to think of it…”
• We say, “Come to think of it…” when you realize there may be a
problem/issue with something.
Ex: “My internet has been going so slow. Come to think of it, I don’t
know whether or not I paid my bill last month.”
Ex: “I can’t find my cell phone anywhere. Come to think of it, I don’t
remember putting it in my bag. Maybe I left it at the restaurant…”

8. Modifying Expressions to
These statements make sense of the information presented.

9. 1. “If worst comes to worst…”
Means: “if the situation is bad...”
Ex: “If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late to the meeting.”
“Well, if worst comes to worst, we can always get the meeting minutes.”
Ex: “I’m not so sure about reserving this hotel. It may be far from the city.”
“If worst comes to worst, we can always cancel our reservation after
one night and move to a different hotel.”

10. 2. “If all else fails…”
Means: “if nothing else succeeds, we can do X.”
Ex: “What if I don’t save enough money to pay for a wedding?”
“When all else fails, you can always ask to borrow from your parents.”
Ex: “I’m worried I won’t get the job I want.”
“When all else fails, you can work at another company and re-apply
to the job you want when you have more experience.”

11. 3. “What with one thing or another”
Means: “ you failed to do something because of many reasons,
circumstances, factors...”
Ex: “What with one thing or another, I forgot to return your call.”
Ex: “Julie is late again. Should we order dinner without her?”
“Julie is always late what with one thing or another, let’s order!”

12. 4. When it comes to... (something)
Means: “ when considering something…”
Ex: “When it comes to cooking, I’m completely lost in the kitchen.”
Ex: “He may not be strong with accounting, but when it comes to sales,
he’s incredibly talented!”

13. 5. As far as I’m concerned…”
Means: “ as far as it affects me / from my point of view”
Ex: “We can travel in June or July, either time is perfect to go to the
beach as far as I’m concerned.”
Ex: “As far as we’re concerned, our neighbors are very friendly to us, and we
don’t know why the other neighbors don’t like them.”

14. 6. As luck would have it…
Means: “luckily” or when something unexpectedly good happens
Ex: “A lady at the restaurant had a bad allergic reaction, but as luck would
have it, there was a doctor sitting at the next table who helped her.”
Ex: “I forgot to bring my passport, but as luck would have it, my flight
was delayed, so I had time to go back to my house to retrieve it.”

15. General Expressions

16. 1. Never mind
Means: forget about it; don’t worry about it
Ex: “Have you seen my other shoe? Oh, never mind, here it is!”
Ex: “So, did you do on your exam? ”
“The exam? Oh, never mind the exam! I just won a $500!”

17. 2. to pass away
Means: This is a gentler/softer way to say “died”
Ex: “I’m so sorry to hear that your grandmother passed away.”
Ex: “Last year, my uncle passed away from liver failure.”

18. 3. to “ring a bell”
Means: To be reminded of something
Ex: “Do you know Alex Turner? He used to work for your company.”
“ Hmmm, that name rings a bell. When did he work here?”
Ex: “Have you ever eaten at La Luna?”
“ That name doesn’t ring a bell. I don’t think so.”

19. 4. Been there, done that.
Means: I’ve already done something like this before (and I’m over it)
Ex: “Let’s go to Vung Tau!”
“Ugh, been there, done that – Can we go someplace new?”
Ex: “Why don’t you work in sales?”
“ Been there, done that, and I’m terrible at sales.”

20. 5. to “put up with”
Means: To deal with someone or something unpleasant
Ex: “I will not put up with lateness! If you’re late, you should stay home. I’ll
take it out of your annual leave.”
Ex: “How do you put up with having 3 teen daughters?”
“Oh, it requires a lot of patients and meditation!”

21. 6. if something is “lame”
Means: something/someone is not good; ridiculous; not “cool”
Ex: “Are you going to see John again?.”
“I don’t think so. He’s a bit lame, and his jokes aren’t funny.”
Ex: “I can’t come to dinner because I need to clean my room.”
“That’s a lame excuse! C’mon, you should really join us.”

22. 7. to be ‘pissed off’
Means: a slang term for “really angry”
Ex: “Why didn’t you attend the birthday party?”
“ Oh, I was a little pissed off at Tom, so I didn’t want to see him there.”
Ex: “My boss really pissed me off today because she yelled at me in front of
everyone! How embarrassing!”

23. 8. To “go on strike”
Means: to stop working in order to change a rule/law/behavior
Ex: “Our company has reduced holiday time and insurance coverage, so
tomorrow, the staff will go on strike, to get upper-management
attention.”
Ex: “My kids and husband never help me clean, so I’m going on strike!
I’m going to the spa for a relaxing massage!”

24. 9. “no wonder”
Means: “obviously” – it’s when something isn’t a surprise
Ex: “She works 2 full-time jobs & takes care of her children in the
evenings. No wonder she is always so tired!”
Ex: “It’s no wonder why you dislike high heels! They’re so uncomfortable
and difficult to walk in.”