English phrasebook

Choose a situation or find words in a phrase. Read its purpose and example before using your own accurate details.

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Speed

Fixed General American recordings use Andrew, a synthetic voice. Replay at any speed. No learner voice is recorded.

A phrase you might say · Arrival questions

I'm here for tourism.

Purpose: state the purpose of a fictional visit

Example context: In the practice story, Ada is visiting for a holiday.

A phrase you might say · Arrival questions

I'm staying for seven nights.

Purpose: state a length of stay

Example context: Ada's fictional booking is for one week.

A phrase you might say · Arrival questions

I'm staying at the River Hotel.

Purpose: name the place where you are staying

Example context: The practice profile names the River Hotel.

A question you might hear · Arrival questions

What is the purpose of your visit?

Purpose: ask why someone is visiting

Example context: In the story, the question asks about a holiday or other purpose.

A question you might hear · Arrival questions

How long are you staying?

Purpose: ask about the duration of a stay

Example context: The response needs a length of time, such as seven nights.

A question you might hear · Arrival questions

Where are you staying?

Purpose: ask about the place of accommodation

Example context: The response names the hotel from the fictional profile.

A phrase you might say · Airport check-in

I'm flying to Boston.

Purpose: state the destination of a flight

Example context: In this practice, the passenger's ticket is to Boston.

A phrase you might say · Airport check-in

Yes, I have one bag to check in.

Purpose: confirm one checked bag

Example context: The fictional passenger wants to put one bag in the aircraft hold.

A phrase you might say · Airport check-in

I'd like an aisle seat, please.

Purpose: request a seat beside the aisle

Example context: The practice profile says the passenger prefers the aisle, not the window.

A question you might hear · Airport check-in

Where are you flying today?

Purpose: ask for a flight destination

Example context: The passenger answers with the place on the fictional ticket.

A question you might hear · Airport check-in

Do you have a bag to check in?

Purpose: ask about checked luggage

Example context: The question concerns a bag checked into the hold, not a seat preference.

A question you might hear · Airport check-in

Would you like an aisle or window seat?

Purpose: offer two seat positions

Example context: An aisle seat is beside the passage; a window seat is beside the window.

A phrase you might say · At a hotel

Yes, I have a reservation under the name Lee.

Purpose: confirm a booking and its name

Example context: The fictional booking uses the surname Lee.

A phrase you might say · At a hotel

I'm staying for two nights.

Purpose: state a two-night stay

Example context: The practice booking covers two nights.

A phrase you might say · At a hotel

No, thank you. I don't need breakfast.

Purpose: decline an offered breakfast

Example context: The fictional guest plans to have breakfast elsewhere.

A question you might hear · At a hotel

Do you have a reservation?

Purpose: ask whether a room has been booked

Example context: Reservation is another word for a booking in this hotel context.

A question you might hear · At a hotel

How many nights are you staying?

Purpose: ask for the number of nights

Example context: The response gives a count of nights, not the room number.

A question you might hear · At a hotel

Would you like breakfast?

Purpose: offer breakfast

Example context: A guest can accept or decline; use the stated profile for the practice answer.

A phrase you might say · At a restaurant

Could we have a table for two, please?

Purpose: request a table for two people

Example context: Two colleagues arrive together and ask for a table.

A phrase you might say · At a restaurant

What comes with this dish?

Purpose: ask what is included with a meal

Example context: A diner wants to know whether the dish includes a side item.

A phrase you might say · At a restaurant

Could we have the bill, please?

Purpose: request the meal's bill

Example context: The diners have finished and want to see the amount due.

A phrase you might say · Getting around

Does this bus go to the station?

Purpose: check a bus route

Example context: A traveller asks whether the bus serves the railway station.

A phrase you might say · Getting around

Which stop should I get off at?

Purpose: ask where to leave a bus or train

Example context: The traveller knows the destination but needs its stop.

A phrase you might say · Getting around

What time does the next train leave?

Purpose: ask about a train's departure time

Example context: The traveller wants a time, not a ticket price.

A phrase you might say · Shopping

How much is this bag?

Purpose: ask the price of a bag

Example context: A customer points to a bag and asks its price.

A phrase you might say · Shopping

Could I try this jacket on?

Purpose: ask to check a jacket's fit

Example context: The customer wants to wear the jacket briefly before deciding.

A phrase you might say · Shopping

Could I have a receipt, please?

Purpose: request written proof of payment

Example context: A customer has paid and wants a record of the purchase.

A phrase you might say · Shopping

Would you accept fifteen dollars?

Purpose: make a fifteen-dollar price offer

Example context: In the fictional market exercise, negotiation is explicitly allowed.

A phrase you might say · Appointments

I'd like to make an appointment.

Purpose: request an appointment

Example context: A caller wants to arrange a time to meet a professional.

A phrase you might say · Appointments

Could you write the instructions down, please?

Purpose: request written instructions

Example context: The listener wants a written copy of what the speaker has just explained.

A phrase you might say · Appointments

Could you repeat the appointment time?

Purpose: ask to hear the appointment time again

Example context: The listener heard the booking but missed the time.

A phrase you might say · Formal questions

I'd like to clarify one point.

Purpose: introduce a clarification

Example context: A speaker wants to make one part of an answer clearer.

A phrase you might say · Formal questions

Could you explain that question?

Purpose: ask what a question means

Example context: The listener needs a different explanation before answering.

A phrase you might say · Formal questions

I don't have that information with me.

Purpose: state that information is unavailable now

Example context: A speaker cannot check the requested detail during the conversation.

A phrase you might say · Business travel booking

I'd like to book a room for two nights.

Purpose: request a two-night room booking

Example context: A work traveller asks for accommodation for two nights.

A phrase you might say · Business travel booking

Could you send me the invoice by email?

Purpose: request an invoice through email

Example context: The traveller needs the payment document in an email.

A phrase you might say · Business travel booking

Is Wi-Fi included in the room price?

Purpose: ask whether Wi-Fi costs extra

Example context: The traveller is checking what the stated price covers.

A phrase you might say · Meetings and clarification

Could I add one point?

Purpose: ask to contribute to a discussion

Example context: A colleague waits for a pause before adding information.

A phrase you might say · Meetings and clarification

Could you clarify the deadline?

Purpose: ask for a clearer deadline

Example context: The team needs to know exactly when the task is due.

A phrase you might say · Meetings and clarification

Shall we summarize the next steps?

Purpose: suggest a summary of actions

Example context: Near the end of a meeting, the team checks what happens next.

A phrase you might say · Trade shows and demonstrations

May I take a brochure?

Purpose: ask for a printed information booklet

Example context: A visitor wants written product information to read later.

A phrase you might say · Trade shows and demonstrations

Could you show me how this works?

Purpose: request a demonstration

Example context: A visitor asks someone to demonstrate a product's operation.

A phrase you might say · Trade shows and demonstrations

Who should I contact for more information?

Purpose: ask for a suitable contact person

Example context: The visitor wants to know whom to ask follow-up questions.

A phrase you might say · Small talk and introductions

How has your trip been?

Purpose: ask about someone's travel experience

Example context: A host opens a conversation with a recently arrived visitor.

A phrase you might say · Small talk and introductions

What kind of work do you do?

Purpose: ask about a person's work

Example context: Two adults are introducing themselves at an event.

A phrase you might say · Small talk and introductions

It was nice talking with you.

Purpose: close a conversation pleasantly

Example context: A speaker is ready to leave after a short conversation.

A phrase you might say · Ask for clarification

Could you say that again, please?

Purpose: request repetition

Example context: The listener missed a sentence and wants to hear the same words again.

A phrase you might say · Ask for clarification

Could you speak more slowly, please?

Purpose: request slower speech

Example context: The listener can follow better when the speaker reduces the pace.

A phrase you might say · Ask for clarification

Could you write that down, please?

Purpose: request written information

Example context: The listener wants to see a name or detail in writing.

Study one situation · Choose phrases by purpose