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In this lesson, I want to show you 10 common words and phrases native English speakers use regularly, and that will make you sound more like a native speaker.
These are often little phrases or words that we use at the beginning of a sentence but that make a big impact.
Here we go
#1. Well
Use
- Get thinking time
- Softening an answer
Example
Girlfriend: Do you like my new dress?
Boyfriend: Well, I’m not sure. It’s very bright!
#2. Actually
Use
- Correcting people
- Adding surprising truth
Examples
Raj: Where do you live in England?
Keith: Actually, I live in Spain!
Tom: That film wasn’t very good.
Ana: I actually really liked it
# 3. Right
Use
- Show understanding
- Moving on or giving instructions
- Gentle surprise
Examples
Listening to a colleague:
Janet: I’m working on a new project
Mike: Right.
Janet: It’s quite difficult, so I’m really tired
Mike: Right.
Starting a meeting:
CEO: Right, let’s begin the meeting.
Preparing to go to a party:
Susan: I’m going to get a taxi to the party
Bob: Oh right! I thought we were going together.
#4. No way!
Use
Surprise or disbelief
Examples
Alan: I won the lottery
Carol: No way!
#5. Indeed
Use
- Formal agreement
- Emphasis
Examples
Agreeing with a friend:
David: This is a good idea.
Eric: Yes, indeed.
This documentary about animals is very interesting indeed.
#6. Exactly
Use
- Strong agreement
- Expresses an idea clearly
Examples
Conversation with a friend:
Fatima: I think we should all live in peace!
Fiona: Exactly!
Friends discussing the purchase of a car.
Greg: So, you mean this second-hand car is a good deal.
Hannah: Exactly! That’s exactly what I mean.
#7. No wonder
Use
- Something is obvious or logical
- When you conclude something
Examples
In class at school:
Teacher: Why are you so tired today?
Student: I was out all night with my friends!
Teacher: No wonder!
The full sentence would be ‘No wonder you are tired’ but often we just say the two words, ‘no wonder’.
Customer: These are so expensive
Shop assistant: Yes, they are made of gold
Customer: No wonder!
#8. Never mind
This phrase is used more commonly in Great Britain.
Similar phrases
- No worries (U.K. / Aus.)
- Don’t worry about it (U.S.)
Use
- Give reassurance
- Say something is not important
Examples
Lola: I can’t come to your party
John: Never mind. It’s ok.
#9. Anyway
Use
- Change topic
- Return to a topic
Examples
Friends in a pub:
Diana: It was good game, but Manchester United should have won
Neil: We will have to agree to disagree.
Diana: Anyway, what are you doing at the weekend?
Friends in a coffee shop discussing a new film they have just seen
Julie: So what did you think of it?
Elena: I liked it because…
John: [interrupting] Sorry can I take this chair?
Julie: Sure.
Elena: Anyway, as I was saying, liked it because…
#10. Quite
Warning – don’t confuse the following two words.
Quite (adv.) = fairly
Quiet (adj.) = not noisy
Use
- Express degree (=fairly)
- Emphasise (=very, completely)
Examples
Dan: What do think of this TV series?
Sam: It’s fairly good, I quite like it. And you?
Dan: Yeah I agree, it’s quite good
In the above conversation, both people mean the series is ‘ok’.
However, if we shift the word stress to the word after ‘quite’, then it can mean ‘very’ or ‘completely’. Tone, intonation and context are also important here to make the meaning clear.
Dan: What do think of this jacket?
Sam: I quite like it. It really suits you. What do you think?
Dan: Yeah, it’s quite good. I think I will buy it
These 10 phrases are very common in everyday conversations and can help make your English sound more natural and conversational.
Start noticing these phrases as you listen to native English speakers in conversations, and practise using them when you can.
FAQs
These short phrases help you sound more natural and fluent because native speakers use them to manage conversations, express emotions, and organise their thoughts.
Some phrases like indeed are suitable for formal contexts, but others such as no way! or anyway are more informal. It’s important to choose phrases based on the situation.
Listen to native speakers in real conversations, notice how they use these phrases, and then practise using them in your own speaking—especially in short dialogues or daily interactions.
