Common English Phrases for Everyday Conversations

For asking someone to wait:

  • Hold on a minute/moment
  • Just a sec/second
  • Give me a moment
  • One moment please
  • Bear with me
  • Hang on
  • Wait up
  • Just a tick (British)
A person gesturing to wait a moment.

For saying "it's okay" or "don't worry about it":

  • No problem
  • Don't worry about it
  • It's all good
  • No big deal
  • Don't mention it
  • It's fine
  • No sweat
  • Not to worry
  • Think nothing of it
  • You're good
  • All good
  • It happens
A person giving a reassuring thumbs up.

For casual greetings:

  • What's up?
  • How's it going?
  • Hey there
  • What's new?
  • How are things?
Two friends greeting each other.

For expressing agreement:

  • Sounds good
  • Works for me
  • I'm down
  • Fair enough
  • You got it
  • For sure
  • Absolutely
People in a meeting agreeing.

For wrapping up conversations:

  • Take care
  • Catch you later
  • See you around
  • Talk soon
  • Have a good one
  • Until next time
A person waving goodbye.

Casual English Dialogues

Asking Someone to Wait

Dialogue 1:

A: "Can you help me move this couch right now?"

B: "Hold on a sec, let me finish this email first."

Dialogue 2:

A: "Where did you put my keys?"

B: "Give me a moment, I'm trying to remember... Oh yeah, they're on the kitchen counter."

Dialogue 3:

A: "Are you ready to leave for the movie?"

B: "Hang on, I just need to grab my jacket."

Saying "It's Okay" / "Don't Worry"

Dialogue 4:

A: "I'm so sorry I'm late! Traffic was terrible."

B: "No worries, I just got here myself."

Dialogue 5:

A: "I accidentally spilled coffee on your book."

B: "It's all good, it was an old copy anyway."

Dialogue 6:

A: "Thanks for covering my shift yesterday."

B: "Don't mention it, happy to help."

Dialogue 7:

A: "I feel bad about forgetting your birthday."

B: "No big deal, we can celebrate this weekend instead."

Casual Greetings

Dialogue 8:

A: "Hey Sarah!"

B: "What's up? Haven't seen you in ages!"

Dialogue 9:

A: "Morning, how's it going?"

B: "Not bad, just another Monday. How are things with you?"

Expressing Agreement

Dialogue 10:

A: "Want to grab pizza for dinner?"

B: "Sounds good, I'm starving."

Dialogue 11:

A: "We should probably leave around 6 PM to avoid traffic."

B: "Works for me, I'll be ready."

Dialogue 12:

A: "I think we need to talk to the manager about this issue."

B: "Fair enough, you're probably right."

Dialogue 13:

A: "Can you pick up some milk on your way home?"

B: "You got it, anything else we need?"

Wrapping Up Conversations

Dialogue 14:

A: "Well, I should probably head home now."

B: "Take care! Drive safely."

Dialogue 15:

A: "Thanks for all your help today."

B: "Have a good one! See you tomorrow."

Dialogue 16:

A: "I'll call you this weekend about the party plans."

B: "Catch you later! Looking forward to it."

Mixed Situations

Dialogue 17:

A: "Could you look over this report when you have time?"

B: "For sure, just give me about an hour to finish what I'm working on."

Dialogue 18:

A: "I think I messed up the presentation slides."

B: "Don't worry about it, we can fix them together."

Dialogue 19:

A: "Ready to start the meeting?"

B: "Just a tick, let me close this other window first."

Dialogue 20:

A: "Sorry for bothering you with so many questions today."

B: "No sweat, that's what I'm here for!"

Complete the Dialogue Exercise

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with appropriate casual English expressions. Choose from expressions like: hold on a sec, no worries, what's up, sounds good, fair enough, take care, you got it, no big deal, hang on, don't mention it, works for me, catch you later, give me a moment, it's all good, how's it going, etc.

Exercise 1: Asking Someone to Wait

1.

A: "Can you answer the phone? It's ringing."

B: "_______________! I'm washing my hands right now."

2.

A: "Do you know what time the store closes?"

B: "_______________, let me check their website."

3.

A: "Are you coming to lunch with us?"

B: "_______________, I need to send this email first."

Exercise 2: Responding to Apologies

4.

A: "I'm really sorry I broke your mug."

B: "_______________. It was getting old anyway."

5.

A: "Sorry for being so late to the meeting."

B: "_______________! We're just getting started."

6.

A: "Thanks so much for helping me move furniture."

B: "_______________. Anytime you need help, just ask."

Exercise 3: Greetings and Check-ins

7.

A: "Hey Mike! _______________?"

B: "Not much, just got back from vacation. You?"

8.

A: "Good morning! _______________?"

B: "Pretty good, thanks! Ready for another busy day."

9.

A: "_______________?"

B: "Oh hey Sarah! Just heading to class, what about you?"

Exercise 4: Making Plans and Agreements

10.

A: "Should we meet at 3 PM instead of 2 PM?"

B: "_______________. That gives me more time to prepare."

11.

A: "I think we should order Chinese food for the party."

B: "_______________! Everyone loves Chinese."

12.

A: "Could you bring some drinks to the barbecue?"

B: "_______________! How many people are coming?"

13.

A: "We probably need to leave by 7 AM to beat the traffic."

B: "_______________. Early mornings are tough, but you're right."

Exercise 5: Ending Conversations

14.

A: "I have to run to my next class now."

B: "_______________! Good luck with your presentation."

15.

A: "Well, I should get going. Long drive ahead."

B: "_______________! Text me when you get home safely."

16.

A: "Thanks again for dinner. Everything was delicious."

B: "_______________! We should do this again soon."

Exercise 6: Mixed Situations

17.

A: "I accidentally deleted the wrong file from the computer."

B: "_______________. These things happen. We can recover it."

18.

A: "_______________?"

B: "Just trying to finish this report. The deadline is tomorrow!"

19.

A: "Can you drive me to the airport tomorrow morning?"

B: "_______________! What time is your flight?"

20.

A: "I feel terrible about missing your birthday party."

B: "_______________! We can celebrate next weekend instead."

Answer Key (for teachers)

  1. Hold on a sec / Hang on / Give me a moment
  2. Give me a moment / Hold on a sec / Just a sec
  3. Hang on / Hold on a sec / Give me a moment
  4. No worries / It's all good / No big deal
  5. No worries / Don't worry about it / It's all good
  6. Don't mention it / No problem / No worries
  7. What's up / What's new / How's it going
  8. How's it going / How are things
  9. What's up / Hey there / How's it going
  10. Works for me / Sounds good / Fair enough
  11. Sounds good / I'm down / For sure
  12. You got it / For sure / Sounds good
  13. Fair enough / You're right / Works for me
  14. Take care / Catch you later / See you around
  15. Take care / Have a good one / Drive safely
  16. Catch you later / Take care / Have a good one
  17. No worries / Don't worry about it / It happens
  18. What's up / How's it going / What are you up to
  19. You got it / For sure / No problem
  20. No big deal / Don't worry about it / It's all good