Bits of real English

Brittany RíosKarly Zagorac

José A. Alcalde

What? Here are some common expressions used

in oral communication among native young English speakers.

They are in standard English but also with references to American (AmE) and British (BrE) English varieties when necessary.

We do not include swear or very local slang expressions as they are out of our scope.

Why? Our students sound too “bookish” or formal

when talking to native speakers of English. These expressions are rarely found in

textbooks and teachers do not spend enough time teaching them.

Students love repeating and using these expressions all the time for fun's sake (all the better for teachers).

When? These expressions should be learnt as soon

as possible There is no need to wait for a specific age,

competence, level, etc. They can be dealt with in special lessons,

regularly or as the teacher thinks may be best.

These expressions are not an “extra” for late Friday lessons. This should be an important part of the curriculum.

How? These expressions are organised into

headings for clarity reasons. As with our mother tongue, they are the

result of the economy of the language (set phrases to be uttered after the right prompt).

No grammar nor vocabulary explanations are required. They should become automatised just like that.

Greeting

Hi! / Hi five!

Dude! (AmE) = Mate! (BrE)

How you doing? = How's it going?

What's up? = What's new?

What's going on!? (AmE)

How've you been? (AmE)

Long time no see!

Getting attention

Excuse me! / Sorry to interrupt!

Guess what? = You'll never guess what!

Listen up! (AmE)

Pardon me

Can I help you?

Can I add something there?

Just a minute please? = Just one sec / second

Agreeing

Yeah! = Okey dokey!

Me too! ≠ Neither me!

Sure thing! (AmE) = For sure! (AmE)

Go ahead!

Totally = Definitely = Cool

You bet! (AmE) = Yep! (AmE)

I agree! = Exactly! = So true!

Tell me about it!

Disagreeing

No way! = In your dreams! = You're dreaming!

Over my dead body! = Fat Chance!

Yeah, right! (Ironic)

Never gonna happen!

No, period! = End of story

Not in a million years! = Never in a million years = Never in your lifetime!

When eating

Yum! = Yummy! = Delicious!

Yuk! = Yukkie! = Eww! = Disgusting!

Nasting! = Gross! = Minging!

I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!

I'm starving! = I'm famished!

I got the munchies (AmE) = I’m peckish (BrE) ( hungry for a snack)

With new technologies

The computer just froze

This picture is too grainy

This file is bulky

I'm into social networking

We love texting

I usually skype with my friends abroad

I just got the new Mac!

You a Mac or PC person?

When playing

I'm in! ≠ I'm out!

Fair play ≠ Foul play

It ain't walk in the park = It was difficult

It was pretty hard ≠ (It's) piece of cake!

Don't jump the gun! = Take it easy!

Deal or no deal? (AmE)

Get the ball rolling

He is in time out

Something is wrong

Oops!

Oh, no! = Oh, dear! = Oh man!

Dear heavens = Oh crap! (BrE)

OMG = Oh my God! = Oh my Gosh!

What happened?! = What's wrong?

What's the trouble now?

What's going on?

Tell me everything!

Amazing!

Awesome! (AmE) = Neat!

Cool! = Sweet! = Totally!

Wow! = Whoa!

Super! = Amazing!

Dude!! (AmE)

WHAT!?!

OMG!! (oh my God) = Oh my Gosh!

Enjoying

We had a great time!

This is real fun!

We are having a blast! (BrE)

Totally amazing!

We gotta do that/it again!

That was awesome!

Best time ever!!

We are having a ball! (BrE)

Succeeding

We did it!

Good job! = Outstanding! = Well done!

Nice try!

You are the best!

You rock!

Go us!

We rocked it/that!

We rule!

Teasing

Monkey see, monkey do!

Who cares?

I'm going to die of boredom

Don't be such a baby!

I was just playing around! = I'm just messing with you!

Stop nagging me!

Knock it off!

Thanking

I appreciate it!

You saved my day!

Cheers!

You're the best!

I owe you one!

You really came threw! = You really came handy!

I couldn't have done it without you!

Good-byeing

See you! = See ya! = See you soon!

See you later! = Later! = See ya later alligator, in a while crocodile!

Have a nice day! (AmE)

Got to go! (AmE) = Must dash! (BrE)

Cheerio! (BrE) = Ta-ta (BrE)

We'll be in touch!

Take care!

Bits of real English(more examples can be found in a PDF document available HERE)

Brittany RíosKarly Zagorac

José A. Alcalde