20 Common English Phrases to Use in Conversation (Making Plans)
In this English listening‑practice lesson we’re focusing on how to invite someone, make plans, and set dates — from a quick coffee to a full night out. You’ll master natural phrases for casual and formal invitations, learn how to suggest activities without sounding pushy, and discover polite ways to check someone’s availability. By the end, you’ll have new vocabulary, better listening skills, and the confidence to set up plans like a native speaker!🔗 Get all lessons here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW📌 Key Phrases from This Lesson✅ “Would you like to grab a coffee this weekend?” – friendly, informal way to suggest meeting up for coffee✅ “Would you like to grab lunch this weekend?” – same structure, but for a meal✅ “Do you fancy going for a drink on Friday?” – British‑English invite, often with a romantic vibe✅ “Would you like to do this?” – polite, flexible invitation when plans aren’t fixed yet✅ “I was thinking we could go to that show this weekend?” – sharing an idea while gauging interest✅ “Want to do something this weekend?” – very casual American way to propose hanging out✅ “Let’s get together soon.” – open‑ended suggestion without committing to a date✅ “How about we try that new restaurant on Saturday?” – ‘How about…’ to put forward a concrete plan✅ “What if we tried that new Italian restaurant?” – ‘What if…’ to float a suggestion and invite feedback✅ “Why don’t we try it?” – concise ‘Why don’t we…’ proposal for any activity already mentioned✅ “Why don’t we try that new Italian restaurant?” – specific version of the above, naming the plan✅ “Should we go for a walk tonight?” – ‘Should we…’ to ask if the other person thinks it’s a good idea ✅ “Should we go for a walk if it’s not raining?” – adding a condition to the suggestion✅ “Why don’t we check out that new gallery everyone’s talking about?” – inviting someone to a popular event✅ “Let’s do something fun like bowling.” – enthusiastic ‘Let’s…’ plus an example activity✅ “Let’s have a catch up next week.” – arranging a future meeting to talk and reconnect✅ “Should we do this next week?” – checking the other person’s schedule for a postponed plan✅ “Maybe next time.” – polite way to decline or postpone an invitation without closing the door
--------
11:22
--------
11:22
Learn Natural English: Talking about Food in the USA and UK (+ Learn New Phrases)
In this English listening practice lesson, we’re talking about food, meal times, grocery shopping, and dining out in the UK and the USA. You’ll learn natural phrases, cultural differences, and interesting facts about how people eat in both countries. By the end of this episode, you’ll have new vocabulary, better listening skills, and a deeper understanding of English-speaking food culture!🔗 Listen to more podcast episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW🍽️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode✅ The difference between British & American breakfasts 🥞☕✅ What time people eat in the UK vs. the USA ⏰✅ Why snacking is so popular in the US 🍪✅ Grocery shopping & why American supermarkets are so big 🛒✅ Eating out in restaurants & tipping culture differences 💰✅ Fast food & takeaway – why they’re different in each country 🍔✅ Fun food idioms & famous quotes about food 🍎📌 Key Phrases from This Lesson✅ “What’s for tea tonight?” – In northern England, “tea” can mean dinner.✅ “I’m in the mood for Italian food.” – A natural way to say what you feel like eating.✅ “We need to get some snacks.” – Snacking is a huge part of American food culture!✅ “Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches” – A classic American lunch that’s not common elsewhere.✅ “Fish and chips” – A traditional British meal, still very popular today.✅ “Let’s eat out tonight.” – A way to say you’re going to a restaurant.✅ “Would you like a refill?” – In the USA, many drinks have free refills!✅ “Tipping is expected.” – Unlike the UK, tipping in the US is not optional.🥗 Famous Food Quotes🍎 "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." – Eating healthy keeps you from getting sick.🍋 "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." – Turn challenges into opportunities!🥚 "Don’t put all your eggs in one basket." – Don’t take unnecessary risks.🍰 "It’s a piece of cake!" – Something is really easy.🍮 "The proof is in the pudding." – You’ll only know something is good by experiencing it.
--------
18:59
--------
18:59
Natural English for Your Ears: Talking about Housing in the UK and USA (Can You Understand?)
In this English listening practice, you'll learn real phrases and natural English expressions while discovering the key differences between houses in the UK and the USA! 🏠🇬🇧🇺🇸From house sizes and layouts to renting, buying, and home design, this lesson is packed with essential vocabulary, cultural insights, and idioms to help you speak and understand English fluently.👉 Stay until the end to learn common phrases, idioms, and housing vocabulary differences between British and American English!📌 Watch more English podcast episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW📚 Key Differences Between UK & US Houses✔️ House Sizes• UK: 76 m² (~800 sq ft) 🏡• USA: 201 m² (~2,000+ sq ft) 🏠✔️ Layouts & Design• UK: Smaller, separate rooms• USA: Open-plan living spaces✔️ Storage & Closets• UK: Wardrobes 🚪• USA: Walk-in closets 👕✔️ Heating & Cooling• UK: Radiators, no air conditioning ❄️🔥• USA: Forced air systems (AC & heating) 🌬️✔️ Renting & Buying• UK: Homes are often furnished 🛋️• USA: Homes are usually unfurnished 📦✔️ Neighborhoods & Suburbs• UK: More people live close to city centers 🏙️• USA: Suburban living is more common 🚗✔️ Outdoor Spaces• UK: Gardens 🌿• USA: Yards 🌳📌 Useful Housing & Home Phrases✅ "Cramped" – Small and lacking space"UK homes feel a bit cramped compared to the US."✅ "Furnished vs. Unfurnished" – Whether a house comes with furniture"In the UK, many rental homes come furnished."✅ "To hire movers" – Paying professionals to move your furniture"We hired movers to make the process easier."✅ "Open-plan layout" – A design where rooms are not separated by walls"Many US homes have an open-plan kitchen and living room."✅ "Terraced house" – A row of houses attached together"She lives in a terraced house in London."✅ "Suburbs" – Residential areas outside city centers"Most American families live in the suburbs."✅ "A roof over your head" – A home or shelter"Even though the apartment is small, at least I have a roof over my head."✅ "To feel at home" – To feel comfortable in a new place"After a few weeks in Spain, I started to feel at home."✅ "Make yourself at home" – A phrase to welcome guests"Come in and make yourself at home!"✅ "The walls have ears" – Be careful what you say, someone might be listening"We shouldn’t gossip too much at work—the walls have ears."📌 British vs. American Housing Vocabulary🇬🇧 UK → 🇺🇸 USA🏢 Flat → Apartment🚪 Lift → Elevator🏡 Garden → Yard🔑 Estate agent → Realtor🏠 Semi-detached house → Duplex📦 Letting agency → Rental agency📏 Ground floor → First floor📩 Want to improve your English?1️⃣ Subscribe for more English lessons!2️⃣ Like & Share to help others learn English.3️⃣ Comment below—What do you think about houses in the UK vs. USA?🎙️ Listen to more English podcast episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkWThanks for watching & see you in the next lesson! 👋😊
--------
22:56
--------
22:56
66: Learn English through TV: Listen to this Before Watching TV in English
Learning English through TV is possible. But a lot of learners don't do it the right way. Have you ever watched a TV show in English but struggled to understand what was happening? Do fast conversations, slang, and accents make it difficult to follow along? This lesson will give you the tools, strategies, and methods you need to learn English through TV shows and movies effectively. By the end of this episode, you'll know: ✅ How to choose the right TV shows for your level ✅ The best subtitle strategy for learning English ✅ The pause and repeat method to improve pronunciation ✅ How to use TV dialogue for spaced repetition learning ✅ Why binge-watching can actually help you learn faster 🎬 Watch more episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playli... ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Best tv shows for English learners 05:00 Should you use subtitles? 06:39 Improve your English through tv 09:08 Learn new vocabulary through tv 12:00 The power of binge watching 📚 Resources & Links 🔗 TV Shows for Learning English – https://storylearning.com/lear... 🔗 How to Read for Fluency (Related Video) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?... 🔗 The Full Pause & Repeat Method – https://www.youtube.com/watch?... 🔗 Listen and Repeat videos: https://www.youtube.com/playli... 📢 Question for You What TV show are you going to watch next? Or what TV show have you watched that helped you improve your English? Let me know in the comments – your answer might help other learners too! 💬 Like & Share if this lesson helped you! Subscribe for more English lessons.
--------
15:27
--------
15:27
65: Learn English through Story: The Last Seat (+ Language Analysis)
Want to improve your English naturally while enjoying a great short story? 📚 This lesson is perfect for practicing listening, reading, and vocabulary! You’ll learn real-life expressions used in everyday conversations, so you can speak more fluently and understand native speakers better.✅ Listen & Read at the same time✅ Learn useful phrasal verbs & expressions✅ Master natural English conversationStay until the end, where we break down key phrases from the story! 📖 Key Words & Phrases from the Story• Cut it close – To almost run out of time."Ella was cutting it close to finding a seat on the train.""I woke up late and cut it close to missing my flight."• Pull out – To remove something from somewhere."The guy pulled out one earbud and turned to look at her.""She pulled out her phone to check the time."• Sit up straighter – To adjust your posture and become more alert."Jake sat up straighter when Ella spoke to him.""He sat up straighter when the teacher asked a question."• Catch up – To talk about things that have happened after time apart."It was easy, like they were two old friends catching up.""Let’s meet for coffee and catch up!"• Drift into – To slowly move into a topic or activity."The conversation drifted from books to travel to childhood memories.""The meeting drifted into small talk after a while."• End up – To arrive somewhere or in a situation unexpectedly."Jake once got lost on a hike and ended up in the wrong town.""We took the wrong bus and ended up at the beach."• Slow down – To reduce speed."As the train slowed down, people stood up.""She slowed down as she reached the traffic lights."• Pull down – To bring something from a higher place."People stood up, pulling down bags and stretching their legs.""He pulled down a book from the top shelf."• Hold up – To lift or show something."Jake pulled out his phone, holding it up.""She held up the map so everyone could see."• Step off – To move off a train, bus, or platform."Ella stepped off the train and turned back.""He stepped off the stage after finishing his speech."🎯 What To Do Next:✅ Listen to the story again and repeat the phrases.✅ Practice using these expressions in your own conversations.✅ Leave a comment: Have you ever met someone interesting while traveling? Which phrase was your favorite? Share it in the comments!
Looking for effective English lessons? Join Jack from To Fluency as he gives you English learning advice and detailed lessons to help you improve. Learn key vocabulary, the most powerful ways to learn English, and get the best listening practice so you can start understanding native speakers. If you're looking for an English podcast that will take you to an advanced level, this is for you.
Colombia