30 Useful English Phrases from July — Easy English Conversation

Transcript

Intro

A: Today is different. We’re not learning a new topic — we’re going back over July.

B: Thirty phrases from this month, in six groups, each one inside a short conversation.

A: Work and interviews, travel, shopping, health, phone and plans, and everyday English.

B: Then one week that brings several groups together, and a quick review at the end. Every episode is linked below.

A: You can practice these phrases in Recursio — the link is in the description.

B: Let’s start with work.

Work and interviews

A: Five phrases from “Talking About Your Job” and “Job Interview Basics.”

B: Number one: to make a good impression. That’s when people see you in a positive way, right at the start.

A: Number two: Tell me about yourself. One of the most common opening questions in an interview.

B: Number three: I have experience in. “I have experience in customer service.”

A: Number four: strengths and weaknesses. The things you do well, and the things you find difficult.

B: And number five: to get the job. It means they choose you — you’re hired.

A: Let’s hear them working together. You’re the interviewer, I’m the candidate.

B: Come in, take a seat. So, tell me about yourself.

A: I’m a designer. I have experience in websites and print, about four years.

B: And what would you say your strengths and weaknesses are?

A: I’m good at working with clients. I used to take on too much at once, but I plan my week now.

B: Good answer. We’ll be in touch this week.

A: Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

B: You made a good impression in six lines.

A: And that can help you get the job. Five phrases, one conversation — that’s the shape of the whole episode.

Travel

B: Group two — from “At the Airport” and “Travel Problems.”

A: Number six: a boarding pass. The ticket that lets you get on the plane.

B: Number seven: the flight is delayed. It’s leaving later than planned.

A: Number eight: to miss a flight. You arrive too late, and the plane has gone.

B: Number nine: my luggage is missing. Your bag didn’t arrive.

A: And number ten: Could you help me? One of the most useful questions at an airport.

B: Let’s use them. You be the passenger, I’ll be the desk.

A: Excuse me, could you help me? My flight is delayed, and I have a connection in Rome.

B: Let me check. It looks like you’ll miss your connection. I can put you on the later flight at eight.

A: Thank you. And what happens to my bag?

B: I’ll move it to the new flight. And if your luggage is missing when you land, report it at the baggage desk before you leave the airport.

A: Good to know. I still have my boarding pass for the first flight — do I need a new one?

B: Yes, here it is. Gate twenty-two.

A: Sorry, did you say gate twelve or gate twenty-two?

B: Gate twenty-two. It’s printed on your new boarding pass too.

A: Great. And should I keep the baggage tag from my first flight?

B: Yes, keep it until your bag arrives. The number can help the airline track it.

A: Calm, polite, and the problem is solved.

B: And notice how simple every sentence was. That’s real airport English.

A: One thing I’d add from that episode — the two questions that do most of the work.

B: Go on.

A: “Can you put me on the next available flight?”

B: And the second one: “Is there a hotel for tonight?”

A: The answer depends on the airline, the ticket, and local rules, but it’s worth asking.

B: Ask politely and make sure you understand the options. That was the useful habit from that episode.

Shopping and money

A: Group three — from “Shopping & Money” and the story “The Jacket in the Window.”

B: Number eleven: How much is it? A question you’ll use in many places.

A: Number twelve: to try it on. To put on clothes in the store, to see if they fit.

B: Number thirteen: on sale. Cheaper than the normal price.

A: Number fourteen: Can I pay by card? Useful in shops and restaurants around the world.

B: And number fifteen: It’s worth it. It costs a lot, but it’s good value.

A: Let’s put them in a store. You’re the assistant.

B: Hi. Can I help you with anything?

A: Yes, I like this jacket. How much is it?

B: It’s ninety dollars, but it’s on sale this week — seventy-two.

A: Can I try it on?

B: Of course, the fitting rooms are just behind you. In the US you’ll also hear “dressing rooms.”

A: It fits perfectly. It’s still a lot of money, but I think it’s worth it. Can I pay by card?

B: Of course — card is fine. Tap here.

A: And there’s one more word from that episode that people forget.

B: A receipt. The little piece of paper you get after you pay.

A: Keep it. If the size is wrong next week, the receipt is the whole conversation.

B: “Could I exchange this? Here’s the receipt.” Three seconds, and it’s done.

A: Let’s hear that at the counter.

B: Hi. I’d like to exchange this jacket, please. It’s too small.

A: Do you have the receipt?

B: Yes, here it is. Could I try on the next size?

A: Of course. The larger one is still on sale, so there’s nothing extra to pay.

B: Perfect. If it fits, I’m keeping it.

A: That’s a useful reminder: trying something on can save you a second trip.

B: And one warning — when you read it, “receipt” looks a lot like “recipe.”

A: But they sound very different. The p is silent in “receipt,” but you hear it in “recipe.”

B: One is from the store, one is from the kitchen.

A: Two words, two very different afternoons.

Health

B: Group four — from “At the Doctor’s” and the story “The Doctor’s Note.”

A: Number sixteen: to feel under the weather. To feel a little sick or not quite well.

B: Number seventeen: a sore throat. A throat that hurts when you swallow.

A: Number eighteen: to call in sick. To tell your work that you’re sick and can’t come in.

B: Number nineteen: a doctor’s note. A document from a doctor that some workplaces ask for when you’re absent.

A: And number twenty: to get some rest. To stop, sleep, and let your body recover.

B: A short one. You call your manager, I’ll be the manager.

A: Good morning.

B: Good morning — everything okay?

A: Hi, it’s me. I’m feeling under the weather. I have a sore throat and a fever, so I’m calling in sick today.

B: I’m sorry to hear that. Take the day. Do you need to see a doctor?

A: I think so. If work needs a doctor’s note, I’ll ask for one.

B: Don’t worry about work. Just get some rest.

A: Thank you. I’ll message you tomorrow.

B: Short, clear, and nobody had to explain anything twice.

A: The exact rules about doctor’s notes depend on the country and the workplace.

B: But the English stays useful: “Do I need a doctor’s note?” and “Where should I send it?”

A: And if you want to remember these phrases, save them in Recursio and review them over time.

Phone calls and plans

B: Group five — from “Making Plans with Friends” and “Phone Calls & Texting.”

A: Number twenty-one: Are you free on Friday? The simplest way to make a plan.

B: Number twenty-two: to text someone. To send a short message on the phone.

A: Number twenty-three: Did you get my message? A neutral way to check, especially with a calm tone.

B: Number twenty-four: Hold on. Please wait a moment.

A: Number twenty-five: Sorry for the late reply. When you answer much later than you should.

B: And one more from the same episode: Let me call you back.

A: That’s twenty-six, actually.

B: Then that’s one less for the last group. Let’s use them — you call me.

A: Hi, it’s me. Are you free on Friday evening?

B: Hold on, let me check. Yes, Friday works.

A: Great. There’s a new place near the river.

B: Sounds good. And sorry for the late reply yesterday — long day.

A: No worries. Did you get my message about the time?

B: I did. Seven thirty, right?

A: Seven thirty. I’ll text you the address.

B: Perfect. I’m in a meeting now, so let me call you back later.

A: No problem. Text me if the time changes.

B: I will. And if I don’t reply right away, I’m probably still in the meeting.

A: Six phrases, one plan, and nobody was confused.

Everyday English

B: Last group. Four phrases from “Small Talk & the Weather,” “Evening Routines,” and this week’s episodes.

A: Go ahead.

B: Number twenty-seven: to wind down. To relax slowly at the end of the day.

A: Number twenty-eight: to have an early night. To go to bed earlier than usual.

B: Number twenty-nine: to sort it out. To fix a problem and finish with it.

A: And number thirty: It depends on. From Wednesday’s episode about mistakes — not “depends from.”

B: Let’s finish with a very ordinary conversation. Two coworkers, end of the day.

A: Long one today.

B: Very long. Any plans tonight?

A: Nothing at all. I’m going to have an early night.

B: Good idea. I need an hour to wind down before I can even think about sleeping.

A: What do you do?

B: It depends on the day. Usually a shower and a book.

A: And what happened with the payment problem, in the end?

B: We sorted it out at four o’clock. Don’t ask me how.

A: I won’t. Have a good evening.

B: That’s the whole month, in six conversations.

One long week

A: Before the review, let’s do something harder. One week, Monday to Friday, using phrases from every group.

B: All six of them. I’ll narrate, you speak.

A: Ready.

B: It’s Monday morning. You wake up, and your throat hurts.

A: I’m feeling under the weather. I have a sore throat.

B: You call your manager.

A: Hi, it’s me. I’m not feeling well, so I’m calling in sick today.

B: She asks if you’ll be in tomorrow.

A: It depends on how I feel tonight. I’ll text you in the morning.

B: Good. Now it’s Tuesday, and there’s a message from a friend you never answered.

A: Sorry for the late reply! I was sick yesterday.

B: Your friend asks about the weekend coming.

A: Are you free on Saturday? There’s a place near the river I want to try.

B: They say yes. Now it’s Wednesday, and you’re at the airport for a work trip.

A: Excuse me, could you help me? My flight is delayed and I need to reach Madrid tonight.

B: The agent finds you a later flight, but your bag doesn’t arrive.

A: My luggage is missing. Here’s my baggage tag.

B: They promise to deliver it to the hotel. Thursday — you have a meeting and no clean shirt.

A: How much is this shirt? Can I try it on, and can I pay by card?

B: It’s on sale, and it fits well. You decide it’s worth it.

A: Good. I buy it and head to the meeting.

B: Thursday afternoon, the interviewer begins, “Tell me about yourself.”

A: I have four years of experience in this kind of work.

B: Then they ask about your strengths and weaknesses.

A: I’m good at solving problems calmly. I used to take on too much work, but now I plan my time better.

B: You make a good impression. Friday — you’re back home, and it’s late.

A: I’m going to have an early night. Saturday can wait.

B: And the missing bag?

A: They sorted it out. It came to the hotel on Thursday evening.

B: One week, one person, and about fifteen of today’s phrases.

A: And not one difficult sentence in the whole week.

B: That’s the thing about B1. It isn’t about hard English. It’s about having the right sentence ready.

Quick review

A: Now the quick review. I’ll give you a situation, you answer in your head, and then you’ll hear the answer.

B: Let’s go.

A: An interview starts, and they say four words. What are they?

B: Tell me about yourself.

A: Your plane is leaving later than planned. How do you say it?

B: The flight is delayed.

A: You’re a little sick, but not seriously. How do you say it?

B: I’m feeling under the weather.

A: You want to know the price. What’s the question?

B: How much is it?

A: You want to know if your friend is available on Friday. What do you ask?

B: Are you free on Friday?

A: And the problem is fixed, and finished. How do you say it?

B: We sorted it out.

A: Perfect. Six out of thirty. You can return to any of the six groups whenever you want another round.

Outro

B: So that was July: thirty phrases, six situations, one month of English.

A: Work and interviews. Travel. Shopping. Health. Phone calls and plans. And everyday English.

B: Every episode we mentioned today is linked below, so you can go back to any of them.

A: And if you want more practice, open the Recursio link below and review the phrases again — because what matters isn’t hearing them once, it’s coming back to them.

B: Thank you for a good month of listening.

A: New episodes start again on Monday. See you then, and take care.