· 6 min read
English Phrases for Conversation: 43 to Use
By Language Lab editorial team
43 English phrases for conversation from British Council speaking lessons: keeping a chat going, showing interest, reacting to news, agreeing, disagreeing.
Good conversation in English depends a great deal on reactions. You need phrases that start a chat, show you are listening, respond to good and bad news, keep the talk moving and let you disagree without offence. The 43 phrases below come from the British Council's free A2 and B1 speaking lessons and do those five jobs. The ones to learn first are So, what's new?, Really? I didn't know that!, Congratulations!, I'm sorry to hear that and I see what you mean, but. Each is short, and each tells the other person that you are following. Say them aloud until they come without thinking, because in conversation there is no time to build a sentence.
Keeping a conversation going
| English | Use it to |
|---|---|
| So, what's new? | Open a chat |
| How's it going? | Ask how someone is |
| How about you, Noelia? | Bring another person in |
| Let me think ... | Win time before you answer |
| Nothing much. | Give a short answer |
| Anyway … | Move to a new topic |
| By the way, I wanted to ask you ... | Introduce a question |
| I know what you mean. | Show you agree and understand |
| Really? I didn't know that! | React to new information |
Showing interest
| English | Use it to |
|---|---|
| Really? | Show surprise or interest |
| How cool! | React to something good |
| That's brilliant! | React to very good news |
| No way! | Show strong surprise |
| You're joking! | Show disbelief |
| Oh, I didn't know that you lived in Canada! | React to a new fact about someone |
| Oh no, poor you. | Show sympathy |
| I'm sorry to hear that. | Respond to bad news |
These are small, but they show the other person that you are listening. Use one after each piece of news you hear.
Responding to news
| English | Use it to |
|---|---|
| Oh wow! Congratulations! | React to good news |
| That's wonderful! | React to good news |
| Well done. I'm really pleased for you. | Praise someone |
| I can't believe it. | Show surprise |
| Oh dear. What's happened? | Ask about a problem |
| Oh no, that's awful. | React to bad news |
| I'm so sorry. | Show sympathy |
| What a shame. | React to a disappointment |
| Can I do anything to help? | Offer help |
Talking about your interests
| English | Use it to |
|---|---|
| What do you do when you're not working? | Ask about free time |
| I didn't know you did meditation. | React to someone's hobby |
| I do too! | Say you share an interest |
| How often do you practise? | Ask about frequency |
| Most mornings, usually. | Say how often |
| I normally meditate once or twice a week. | Say how often |
| Sometimes it's hard to find time. | Describe a difficulty |
| I never have enough time. | Explain why you do not do something |
Agreeing and disagreeing
| English | Use it to |
|---|---|
| I agree. | Agree |
| I think you're right. | Agree |
| Yes, definitely. | Agree strongly |
| OK, maybe you've got a point there. | Accept part of an argument |
| I'm not so sure. | Disagree gently |
| I'm not convinced by that idea. | Disagree politely |
| I think I disagree. | Disagree |
| I see what you mean, but it looks a bit empty. | Acknowledge, then disagree |
| Don't get me wrong, but I don't think they fit. | Soften a disagreement |
The speakers in the lesson soften their disagreement. I see what you mean, but and Don't get me wrong, but both show respect for the other view before you give yours.
How to practise
- Watch the scene. Each British Council lesson has a short video in which the phrases are used.
- Repeat aloud after the presenter.
- React out loud. When you hear any news in English, answer it with one of these phrases.
- Test yourself. Cover the English column and say the phrase from the description.
- Come back after a day, a week and a month.
Language Lab's English course is built around voiced real-life scenarios with an AI tutor, so you can practise these reactions in conversation.
Frequently asked
What are good English phrases for conversation?
So, what's new?, How's it going?, Really? I didn't know that!, I know what you mean and By the way, I wanted to ask you keep a conversation moving.
How do I keep a conversation going in English?
Ask a question such as How about you?, react with Really? or I know what you mean, and use Anyway or By the way to move to a new topic.
How do I show interest in English?
With short reactions: Really?, How cool!, That's brilliant!, No way! For bad news, say I'm sorry to hear that.
How do I disagree politely in English?
Say I'm not so sure or I'm not convinced by that idea, or begin with I see what you mean, but.
What do I say when someone has good news?
Congratulations!, That's wonderful! or Well done. I'm really pleased for you.
What do I say when someone has bad news?
Oh no, that's awful, I'm so sorry or What a shame, and offer help with Can I do anything to help?
Sources: British Council, LearnEnglish, Speaking: A2 speaking: Showing interest and Talking about personal interests; B1 speaking: Keeping a conversation going, Responding to news and Agreeing and disagreeing (video series What to Say!); Council of Europe, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, Global scale. Checked on 13 October 2026. Photo: Edinburgh skyline from Castle Hill, David Hillas / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
