Essential English Phrases and Vocabulary
Basic English Conversations
Conversation 1
David, let me introduce you to Kristal. Kristal, this is David. David, this is Kristal.
Hello, pleased to meet you.
Pleased to meet you, too.
Conversation 2
Excuse me, but are you Mrs. Rice?
Yes, that’s right.
May I introduce myself? I’m Michael West.
How do you do?
How do you do?
Conversation 3
Hello, Lucy. How are you?
Fine, thanks, Alan. Good to see you again.
Nice to see you, too. How’s the family?
They’re all very well.
How’s life?
Oh, not too bad, thanks, but very busy.
Conversation 4
Patrick, I must go now – my flight is at 5:00.
Well, it was very nice meeting you.
I really enjoyed meeting you, too. I look forward to seeing you in Madrid.
I do, too. See you next month.
Business English: Phone Conversation
Good afternoon. Global Travel. How can I help you?
Hello, can I speak to Emma Norton, please?
Who’s calling, please?
It’s George Kolasinski.
Thank you. Hold the line, please. I’ll put you through to her office.
Thank you.
Emma Norton’s phone. David Lawson here. Can I help you?
Oh, this is George Kolasinski. Could I speak to Emma, please?
I’m sorry, she’s away today.
Oh, no! I need to speak to her – it’s quite important.
Perhaps I can help you.
Thank you. Could you give her a message?
Yes, of course. Could you ask her to call me tomorrow morning?
Yes, certainly. Could you tell me your name again, please?
It’s Kolasinski.
Can you spell that, please?
It’s K-O-L-A-S… and can I have your number?
It’s 0-1-6…
Right. So that’s Mr. George Kolasinski on 0-1-6…
That’s it. Thanks very much. Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Common English Form Fields
- Country of residence: País de residencia
- Date of birth: Fecha de nacimiento
- Email address: Correo electrónico
- Forename: Nombre
- Home address: Dirección de casa
- Mobile: Móvil
- Nationality: Nacionalidad
- Passport no: Pasaporte
- Place of birth: Lugar de nacimiento
- Post code: Código postal
- Signature: Firma
- Surname: Apellido
- Telephone: Teléfono
Travel Conversation in English
Good to see you again, Takashi, and welcome to Italy.
Thank you, Paola. It’s nice to be here. Is this your first visit to this part of Italy?
Yes, it is. I only know Rome. So… how did you get here?
Well, I flew to Rome on Saturday and stayed two nights there. Then I took the train from Rome to Milan this morning. Did you have a good journey?
Yes, thanks. The train was very comfortable. Did you have any problems finding us?
No, none at all. Your directions were fine. How was your stay in Rome?
Very pleasant, thanks. I did some sightseeing and some shopping, of course.
Good. And I’m pleased you’re seeing Milan in the sun. Spring has come early this year. What was the weather like in Tokyo when you left?
Well, actually, it was very wet there. So I came to Milan at the right time!
Work-Related Vocabulary
Work:
- From 8 to 4 (De 8 a 4)
- Flexitime (Horario flexible)
- Full-time (Tiempo completo)
- Part-time (Tiempo parcial)
Have:
- A discussion (Una discusión)
- A holiday (Un día de fiesta)
- A meeting (Una reunión)
- Lunch (Almuerzo)
Do:
- Some work (Un poco de trabajo)
- Some research (Algunas investigaciones)
- A job (Un puesto de trabajo)
- A good job (Un buen puesto de trabajo)
Make:
- A decision (Una decisión)
- An appointment (Una cita)
- A business trip (Un viaje de negocios)
- A phone call (Una llamada telefónica)
More Workplace Vocabulary
Not in work:
- Out of work (Sin trabajo)
- Retired (Jubilado)
- Unemployed (Desempleado)
Time away from work:
- Holidays (Días de fiesta)
- Maternity leave (Permiso de maternidad)
- Paternity leave (Permiso de paternidad)
- Sick leave (Permiso por enfermedad)
Working hours:
- Flexitime (Horario flexible)
- Full-time (Tiempo completo)
- Part-time (Tiempo parcial)
Work activities:
- Emails (Correos electrónicos)
- Meetings (Reuniones)
- Reports (Informes)
- Phone calls (Llamadas telefónicas)
Pay:
- Sick pay (Pago por enfermedad)
- Wages (Salario)
- Salary (Sueldo)
Sports and Activities
Do (no movement):
- Fitness training (Entrenamiento físico)
- Karate (Karate)
- Aerobics (Aeróbic)
- Weight training (Entrenamiento con pesas)
- Yoga (Yoga)
- Judo (Judo)
Go (ends in -ing):
- Rollerblading (Patinar)
- Sailing (Vela)
- Swimming (Natación)
- Jogging (Correr)
- Cycling (Ciclismo)
- Trekking (Senderismo)
Play (with a ball):
- Tennis (Tenis)
- Basketball (Baloncesto)
- Badminton (Bádminton)
- Table tennis (Ping pong)
- Squash (Squash)
- Football (Fútbol)
English Grammar
Present Simple:
- (+) Verb infinitive or he/she/it + -s
- (-) Don’t or doesn’t + verb infinitive
- (?) Do or Does + …
Present Continuous:
- (+) Am/are/is + verb + -ing
- (-) Am not/aren’t/isn’t + verb + -ing
- (?) Am/Are/Is + …
Past Simple:
- (+) -ed or irregular verb
- (-) Didn’t + verb infinitive
- (?) Did + … + verb infinitive
Present Continuous:
- (+) are/is
- (-) not + verb -ing
- (?) Wh- are/is + I/you/he/she… + verb -ing
Going to + Infinitive:
- (+) Am/are/is + going to + verb infinitive
- (-) Am not/aren’t/isn’t + going to + verb infinitive
- (?) Wh- + am/are/is + I/you/he/she… + going to + verb infinitive
Email Example
I am attending Vinitaly in Verona and would like to reserve a single room for four nights from 3 to 6 April. Please could you send confirmation of this booking.
“James Turner”
Dear Mr. Turner,
Thank you for your email. We have reserved a single room for you for four nights from April 3rd to April 6th. We look forward to welcoming you on April 3rd.
“Luisa Bianchi”
Common Work Activities
- Meet foreign visitors at work
- Make business trips
- Speak English on the phone
- Attend international meetings
- Write emails in English
- Work flexitime
- Go to work by car
Email Structure
Starting:
- In reply to (your fax received…)
- Thank you for (your fax/email of…)
Saying why you’re writing:
- I am writing (to enquire “preguntar” about)
- I am pleased (to confirm)
- This fax/email/letter (is to get/give…)
Requesting:
- Could you please (reserve…)
- Would you (tell me…)
- Please fax/email me (your mobile phone…)
Attaching documents:
- I attach “adjunto” (two files…)
Enclosing documents:
- I enclose “adjunto” (a copy of…)
Giving bad news:
- I am sorry (to inform you…)
- Unfortunately (I will not be able to…)
Apologizing:
- I apologize for “pido disculpas” (the delay “por el retraso”…)
- I’m sorry about (the mistake…)
Ending:
- Hoping “con la esperanza” (to see you soon)
- Yours sincerely “atentamente”