These most common English expressions with examples can help you build credibility, make a good impression, and make your English sound more native. Sir Syed Kazim Ali explains all these expressions, so you are advised to learn their meanings and start using them in your writing.
English expressions are essential in everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. English people and modern English writers use these expressions for asking questions, replying and reacting, and expressing a meaning or emotion quickly and naturally. Therefore, learning English expressions and their appropriate uses in sentences has always been an essential and valuable skill and helps competitive aspirants and writers stand out among millions. Therefore, learning to use common English phrases helps you build credibility and make a good impression and makes your English sound more native. Hence, it s a good idea to master some of these expressions. In this handout, you can find the meaning and use of some common English expressions. Each expression provides a clear and simple meaning, as well as 5 to 10 examples showing how to use these expressions practically in English.
| 1 About to |
| Meaning |
| The expression about to is used to describe a situation where someone is going to do something very soon or is close to doing it. It is often used to indicate that an action is imminent and that it will occur in the near future. Simply, we areabout toorjust about todo something when we are just going to do it. |
| Expression in Sentences |
| 1. I wasjust about togo to bed when I remembered I had to finish my work. |
| 2. She sabout tograduate from college next month. |
| 3. The storm isabout tohit we better take cover. |
| 4. The train wasjust about toleave the station when I arrived. |
| 5. He wasabout toask her to marry him when the fire alarm went off. |
| 6. The team isjust about tostart the final game of the season. |
| 7. I wasabout tomake a cake, but I realized I was out of eggs. |
| 8. The pilot announced that the plane wasabout toland. |
| 9. The audience wasabout toapplaud when the performer took a bow. |
| 10. The sun wasjust about toset, so we decided to head back to the campsite. |
| 2 It is about time |
| Meaning |
| The expressionit is about timeorit is high timeis used to express a feeling of impatience or frustration that something has taken too long to happen or be done. It implies that the speaker believes that it is finally happening or being done after a long wait, and often has a sense of relief or satisfaction attached to it. Simply, we use this expression to say that something should have already happened, which is going to be happen now. |
| Expression Structure |
| It is about time Subject Past Verb |
| Expression in Sentences |
| 1. Gosh! It s almost midnight.It s about timewe went home. |
| 2.It s about timewe had a family vacation. We all need a break. |
| 3.It s about timeyou called and checked on your grandmother. She s been worried about you. |
| 4. I ve been waiting for this promotion for yearsit s about timeit finally came through. |
| 5. The government has been talking about climate change for too longit s about timethey took real action. |
| 6.It s about timewe got rid of this old couch and bought a new one. |
| 7. I ve been trying to get a better job for monthsit s about timeI received a good offer. |
| 8.It s about timethey finished the road construction on the traffic has been a nightmare. |
| 9. The country has been in an economic downturn for too longit s about timethey bounce back. |
| 10.It s about timewe had a proper celebration for your birthday. Let s have a big party. |
| 3 Above all |
| Meaning |
| The expression above all is used to emphasize the most important thing or factor in a particular situation or list of things. It is used to emphasize that this particular thing is the most important, more important than anything else. |
| Important Note |
| The expression above all can be used as a typical adverb and an opinion adverb in a sentence. When it is used, typically, we do not place commas before and after it. However, when it is used as an opinion, we place commas before and after it to emphasize the next word or phrase. Finally, if it works as a transition word between two sentences, we place a comma after it to start the clause or sentence see sentence numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. |
| Expression in Sentences |
| 1.Above all, always tell the truth, no matter how hard it may be. |
| 2. In a relationship, trust and communication are essential, butabove all, love and respect should be present. |
| 3.Above all, take care of your health, both physically and mentally. |
| 4. When choosing a career, make sure you are passionate about it, butabove all, choose a field that provides stability. |
| 5.Above all, be grateful for what you have in life and don t take anything for granted. |
| 6. In a team, everyone should work together, butabove all, there should be a clear leader to guide the group. |
| 7.Above all, prioritize your family and spend time with them whenever possible. |
| 8. When making decisions, consider all options, butabove all, choose the one that is best for you. |
| 9.Above all, always be kind and help others whenever you can. |
| 10. In a successful business, efficiency and profitability are important, butabove all, the company should have a strong culture and values. |
| 11. They need food, clothing, and,above all, water. |
| 12. In the business, we must value safetyabove all. |
| 4 By Accident |
| Meaning |
| The expressionby accidentorby chancerefers to something that happens unexpectedly or unintentionally. It means that the event was not planned or intended, but happened as a result of a chance occurrence. |
| Important Note |
| The expression by accident or by chance is always used typically it means we cannot place commas before and after it, and we cannot start a sentence with it. |
| Expression in Sentences |
| 1. I discovered my favorite restaurantby accidentwhen I was lost on my way home. |
| 2. I learned how to play the guitarby accidentwhen I picked up a friend s instrument. |
| 3. I found the lost dogby accidentwhen I was walking in the park. |
| 4. I stumbled upon the hidden waterfallby accidenton a hiking trip. |
| 5. I found the answer to the questionby accident. |
| 6. I bought the winning lottery ticketby accidentwhen I grabbed the wrong ticket at the store. |
| 7. I learned the truth about my friend s secretby accidentwhen I overheard their conversation. |
| 8. I discovered my passion for photographyby accidentwhen I was given a camera as a gift. |
| 9. I met my future spouseby accidentwhen I sat down next to her on a train. |
| 10. I solved the mystery of the missing necklaceby accident. |
| 5 Take Advantage of |
| Meaning |
| The expression take advantage of means to use a situation, opportunity, or resource to gain an advantage or benefit. It refers to utilizing something to one s own benefit, often at the expense of others. |
| Expression in Sentences |
| 1. Shetook advantage ofthe discounted gym membership to get in shape. |
| 2. Hetook advantage ofthe early bird special to save money on his vacation. |
| 3. The companytook advantage ofthe high demand for their product to increase prices. |
| 4. Theytook advantage ofthe online resources to learn a new language. |
| 5. Shetook advantage ofthe flexible schedule to work from home and spend more time with her family. |
| 6. He took advantage of the networking event to meet new business contacts. |
| 7. The companytook advantage ofthe free publicity to promote their brand. |
| 8. Theytook advantage ofthe free trial to test out the software before purchasing it. |
| 9. Shetook advantage ofthe chance to travel to different countries to broaden her cultural understanding. |
| 10. Hetook advantage ofthe opportunity to learn from the best in his field to improve his skills. |
| 6 I am Afraid |
| Meaning |
| The expression I am afraid is typically used to express a feeling of fear, apprehension, or concern about something while telling it to somebody. We use this expression when we tell our people bad news and want to express our emotions politely and courteously. |
| Expression in Sentences |
| 1.I am afraidthat the bus has been delayed. |
| 2.I am afraidI have not done my homework. |
| 3. Could you not find him?I am afraidnot. |
| 4.I am afraidof being lost, so I always carry a map with me. |
| 5.I am afraidof heights, so I never go on amusement park rides. |
| 7 After All |
| Meaning-1 |
| After all is an expression having multiple meanings. First, we use this expression when we are explaining why something that we have said is true. |
| Example Sentences Meaning-1 |
| 1. Although Salman speaks French beautifully, he is half Frenchafter all. |
| 2. She will not be able to get the task done by the next week.After all, she will on holiday from tomorrow. |
| 3. Although I do like her,after all, she is my sister. |
| 4. I lost my first match, butafter all, I had never played cricket before. |
| 5. Of course, I love himafter all, he s my brother. |
| Meaning-2 |
| Second, we use this expression when things do not happen the way we expect, think or plan. |
| Example Sentences Meaning-2 |
| 1. Maybe she was rightafter all. |
| 2. I am really sorry, but I have decided not to join you guysafter all. |
| 3. Alia shouldn t be working so hard she is 70,after all. |
| 4. I m not really ambitious.After all, money isn t everything. |
| 5. Had the previous report been wrongafter all? |
| 6. Perhaps those friends knew somethingafter all. |
| 7. The rain has stopped, so the game will go aheadafter all. |
| Important Note |
| The expressionafter allcan be used as a typical adverb and an opinion adverb in a sentence. When it is used, typically, we do not place commas before and after it. However, when it is used as an opinion, we place commas before and after it to emphasize the next word or phrase. Finally, if it works as a transition word between two sentences, we place a comma after it to start the clause or sentence. |
| 8 After that |
| Meaning |
| After that is an expression that means following that, or as a result of that. It is often used to describe a sequence of events or actions that occur one after another, especially in the past, but we can use it in the present too. |
| Important Note |
| We can use this expression in two ways. First, we use it to start the next sentence in this case, it becomes a transition word. Second, we use this expression within a sentence to show two actions, but in this case, we do not place commas before or after it. Next, we can also use this expression within a sentence to start the next clause, but in this case, we place a comma after it. |
| Expression in Sentences |
| 1. I lived in London for three years, andafter that,I moved to Lahore in Pakistan. |
| 2. I have to deliver an essay writing lecture to the CSS and PMS aspirants andafter thatdrive my sister home. |
| 3. I lost my car keys once, andafter that,I always attatched it to my pants strap. |
| 4. Parking is free till next week.After that,everyone has to pay to park here. |
| 5. The sports centre closed, so we had no more matches to watchafter that. |
| 6.After that, I ll be going on vacation for two weeks. |
| 7. He finished his work and went for a run, andafter that,he relaxed and watched a movie. |
| 8.After that, the team s morale was high and they felt confident about the rest of the season. |
| 9. She got her degree and started her own business, andafter that,she became successful and fulfilled. |
| 10. They finished their project and celebrated, andafter that,they started planning their next big idea. |
| 9 After this |
| Meaning |
| The expression After this or from now on refers to something that happens or is to be done after a current event or action. It is often used to describe a present or future plan or event. It also means next. |
| Important Point |
| We can use this expression in two ways. First, we use it to start the next sentence in this case, it becomes a transition word, but we do not place a comma after it. Second, we typically use this expression, meaning we do not place commas before and after it. |
| Expression in Sentence |
| 1. What shall I doafter this? |
| 2.After thisyou will have to pay to park your car here. |
| 3.After thisI have to go to the bank to deposit some money. |
| 4. They re going to have a picnic in the parkafter thisclass. |
| 5. I m going to rest for a bitafter thisworkout. |
| 6. She plans to study for her examsafter thisepisode of her favorite show. |
| 10 Again and again |
| Meaning |
| The expression Again and again means repeatedly or over and over. It is often used to describe a repeated action or event. |
| Important Note |
| We use this expression typically, meaning we do not place commas before and after it. |
| Expression in Sentence |
| 1. I ve tried this recipeagain and again, but I can t seem to get it right. |
| 2. He practiced his speechagain and againuntil he was satisfied with his performance. |
| 3. She checked her phoneagain and againhoping to see a message from her friend. |
| 4. She is making the same mistakeagain and again. |
| 5. The police officer asked usagain and againto describe exactly what happened. |
| 11 All over again |
| Meaning |
| The expression All over again means to start from the beginning or to repeat the same process. It is often used to describe starting a process or experience anew. |
| Important Note |
| We use this expression typically, meaning we do not place commas before and after it. |
| Expression in Sentence |
| 1. I have to start this projectall over againbecause I made a mistake. |
| 2. He realized he had to learn the materialall over againbecause he had forgotten it. |
| 3. She felt like she was starting her lifeall over againafter moving to a new city. |
| 4. I have to repeat the experimentall over againbecause the results were not accurate. |
| 5. He had to train for the raceall over againafter an injury. |
| 12 Ages ago |
| Meaning |
| The expression Ages ago means a long time ago or in the distant past. It is often used to describe an event that happened a considerable amount of time in the past. |
| Important Point |
| We can use this expression in two ways. First, we use it to start the next sentence in this case, it becomes a transition word, but we do not place a comma after it. Second, we typically use this expression, meaning we do not place commas before and after it. |
| Expression in Sentence |
| 1. I visited that museumages agoand I still remember the exhibits. |
| 2. He read that bookages ago, and he still quotes from it. |
| 3. She saw that movieages ago, but she still remembers the story. |
| 4.Ages agothis was a saloon, I remember. |
| 5. He played that video gameages ago, but he still enjoys it. |
| 13 Long ago |
| Meaning |
| The expression Long ago means in the distant past or a significant amount of time in the past. It is often used to describe events or experiences that took place a considerable amount of time in the past. |
| Important Point |
| We can use this expression in two ways. First, we use it to start the next sentence in this case, it becomes a transition word, but we do not place a comma after it. Second, we typically use this expression, meaning we do not place commas before and after it. |
| Expression in Sentence |
| 1.Long agoan unmarried girl was considered her father s property. |
| 2. He lived in that countrylong ago, but he still speaks the language. |
| 3. She came herea long time ago,when she was very long. |
| 4.A long time agothis piece of land belonged to Ali s saloon. |
| 5. He saw that playlong ago, but he still talks about it. |
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