Useful phrases by purpose

Choose a clear English phrase for a specific everyday purpose.

Choose what to say for the purpose shown. Every answer explains the meaning and gives a context. These are ten-question practice rounds, not a speaking assessment.

All answers and reasons
Choose a phrase to state the purpose of a fictional visit.
I'm here for tourism. I'm here for tourism. This is used to state the purpose of a fictional visit. In the practice story, Ada is visiting for a holiday. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to state a length of stay.
I'm staying for seven nights. I'm staying for seven nights. This is used to state a length of stay. Ada's fictional booking is for one week. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to name the place where you are staying.
I'm staying at the River Hotel. I'm staying at the River Hotel. This is used to name the place where you are staying. The practice profile names the River Hotel. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to state the destination of a flight.
I'm flying to Boston. I'm flying to Boston. This is used to state the destination of a flight. In this practice, the passenger's ticket is to Boston. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to confirm one checked bag.
Yes, I have one bag to check in. Yes, I have one bag to check in. This is used to confirm one checked bag. The fictional passenger wants to put one bag in the aircraft hold. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request a seat beside the aisle.
I'd like an aisle seat, please. I'd like an aisle seat, please. This is used to request a seat beside the aisle. The practice profile says the passenger prefers the aisle, not the window. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to confirm a booking and its name.
Yes, I have a reservation under the name Lee. Yes, I have a reservation under the name Lee. This is used to confirm a booking and its name. The fictional booking uses the surname Lee. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to state a two-night stay.
I'm staying for two nights. I'm staying for two nights. This is used to state a two-night stay. The practice booking covers two nights. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to decline an offered breakfast.
No, thank you. I don't need breakfast. No, thank you. I don't need breakfast. This is used to decline an offered breakfast. The fictional guest plans to have breakfast elsewhere. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request a table for two people.
Could we have a table for two, please? Could we have a table for two, please? This is used to request a table for two people. Two colleagues arrive together and ask for a table. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask what is included with a meal.
What comes with this dish? What comes with this dish? This is used to ask what is included with a meal. A diner wants to know whether the dish includes a side item. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request the meal's bill.
Could we have the bill, please? Could we have the bill, please? This is used to request the meal's bill. The diners have finished and want to see the amount due. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to check a bus route.
Does this bus go to the station? Does this bus go to the station? This is used to check a bus route. A traveller asks whether the bus serves the railway station. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask where to leave a bus or train.
Which stop should I get off at? Which stop should I get off at? This is used to ask where to leave a bus or train. The traveller knows the destination but needs its stop. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask about a train's departure time.
What time does the next train leave? What time does the next train leave? This is used to ask about a train's departure time. The traveller wants a time, not a ticket price. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask the price of a bag.
How much is this bag? How much is this bag? This is used to ask the price of a bag. A customer points to a bag and asks its price. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask to check a jacket's fit.
Could I try this jacket on? Could I try this jacket on? This is used to ask to check a jacket's fit. The customer wants to wear the jacket briefly before deciding. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request written proof of payment.
Could I have a receipt, please? Could I have a receipt, please? This is used to request written proof of payment. A customer has paid and wants a record of the purchase. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to make a fifteen-dollar price offer.
Would you accept fifteen dollars? Would you accept fifteen dollars? This is used to make a fifteen-dollar price offer. In the fictional market exercise, negotiation is explicitly allowed. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request an appointment.
I'd like to make an appointment. I'd like to make an appointment. This is used to request an appointment. A caller wants to arrange a time to meet a professional. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request written instructions.
Could you write the instructions down, please? Could you write the instructions down, please? This is used to request written instructions. The listener wants a written copy of what the speaker has just explained. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask to hear the appointment time again.
Could you repeat the appointment time? Could you repeat the appointment time? This is used to ask to hear the appointment time again. The listener heard the booking but missed the time. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to introduce a clarification.
I'd like to clarify one point. I'd like to clarify one point. This is used to introduce a clarification. A speaker wants to make one part of an answer clearer. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask what a question means.
Could you explain that question? Could you explain that question? This is used to ask what a question means. The listener needs a different explanation before answering. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to state that information is unavailable now.
I don't have that information with me. I don't have that information with me. This is used to state that information is unavailable now. A speaker cannot check the requested detail during the conversation. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request a two-night room booking.
I'd like to book a room for two nights. I'd like to book a room for two nights. This is used to request a two-night room booking. A work traveller asks for accommodation for two nights. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request an invoice through email.
Could you send me the invoice by email? Could you send me the invoice by email? This is used to request an invoice through email. The traveller needs the payment document in an email. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask whether Wi-Fi costs extra.
Is Wi-Fi included in the room price? Is Wi-Fi included in the room price? This is used to ask whether Wi-Fi costs extra. The traveller is checking what the stated price covers. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask to contribute to a discussion.
Could I add one point? Could I add one point? This is used to ask to contribute to a discussion. A colleague waits for a pause before adding information. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask for a clearer deadline.
Could you clarify the deadline? Could you clarify the deadline? This is used to ask for a clearer deadline. The team needs to know exactly when the task is due. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to suggest a summary of actions.
Shall we summarize the next steps? Shall we summarize the next steps? This is used to suggest a summary of actions. Near the end of a meeting, the team checks what happens next. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask for a printed information booklet.
May I take a brochure? May I take a brochure? This is used to ask for a printed information booklet. A visitor wants written product information to read later. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request a demonstration.
Could you show me how this works? Could you show me how this works? This is used to request a demonstration. A visitor asks someone to demonstrate a product's operation. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask for a suitable contact person.
Who should I contact for more information? Who should I contact for more information? This is used to ask for a suitable contact person. The visitor wants to know whom to ask follow-up questions. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask about someone's travel experience.
How has your trip been? How has your trip been? This is used to ask about someone's travel experience. A host opens a conversation with a recently arrived visitor. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to ask about a person's work.
What kind of work do you do? What kind of work do you do? This is used to ask about a person's work. Two adults are introducing themselves at an event. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to close a conversation pleasantly.
It was nice talking with you. It was nice talking with you. This is used to close a conversation pleasantly. A speaker is ready to leave after a short conversation. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request repetition.
Could you say that again, please? Could you say that again, please? This is used to request repetition. The listener missed a sentence and wants to hear the same words again. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request slower speech.
Could you speak more slowly, please? Could you speak more slowly, please? This is used to request slower speech. The listener can follow better when the speaker reduces the pace. Read the guide
Choose a phrase to request written information.
Could you write that down, please? Could you write that down, please? This is used to request written information. The listener wants to see a name or detail in writing. Read the guide

Make a useful request

  • Choose the phrase for the exact purpose stated; several phrases may be polite but do different jobs.
  • Practise a phrase in its context, then use your own accurate details in real life.

Keep practising

study the phrasebook , or choose a situation .

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Where to go next

More everyday situations, then a different skill.

Airport check-in roleplay
Arrival questions roleplay
Hotel check-in roleplay
Read a fictional menu
Travel phrase arcade
Market price mission
English Quest

See all 54 activities