USEFUL VOCABULARY (various fields)

ENGLISH FOR COMMERCE AND BUSINESS LETTERS

to act on behalf of
to agree with
always at your service
as agreed
as far as I'm concerned
as far as the payment is concerned
as follows
as per invoice
as per to the conditions
as per your request
as requested
as soon as possible
at your convenience
at your earliest convenience
at your expense
awaiting your reply
to be able to to be authorised to to be characterised by
to be confident in
to be delighted to to be held responsible for
to be in arrears with payments
to be in difficulty
to be interested in
on arrival of the goods
on behalf of
on condition that - provided that
on delivery
on receipt of the order
on short notice
on written request
order to be confirmed
our best attention
our offer is still open
outside address
to pay the maximum attention to the matter
payable in advance
please allow us
please send us
please send us your instructions
prices are increasing
to reach the destination
to refer to to return a letter to the sender
to sell at the best
to send under separate cover
sender address
short term
similar to sample - up to sample
to be late
to be overrun with orders
to be prepared to - to be willing to before the date we agreed upon

Best regards
body of the letter
circular letter
claim - letter of complaint
to come to a decision
to come to an agreement - to reach an agreement
complimentary close
to cope with the competition
correspond to the sample
to correspond with
covering letter
due to oversight
enclosure - attachment
to fix an appointment
following your instructions
from order receipt
further to our letter - following our letter
goods listed below
greeting
half-price
to have the pleasure to to stop negotiations
to submit a sample
to suit the quality - to meet the quality
to take into consideration
the aim of this letter
the following items
the goods are available in our warehouse
the goods are not similar to sample
the goods are sold out
the goods arrived in good conditions
the letter remained unanswered
the matter in reference
the meeting was cancelled
to our mutual benefit
to the kind attention of
under separate cover
up to an amount of
utmost care
we acknowledge receipt of
we apologise again for
we apologise for
we apologise for the delay
we apologise for the mistake
we are sorry to have to we are sorry to inform you
to have the power to hereby
in case of need
in compliance with - accordingly
in due time - in due course
in good condition
in our favour
in partial payment
in reply to your letter
in the absence of
to inform in due time
inside address
to let someone know in advance
letter opening - beginning of the letter

letterheading - heading
to look forward to looking forward to an early reply
looking forward to hearing from you
to make the goods available
to meet a demand
to meet customer's requirements
to meet the demand
Messrs
to notify in advance about
on advanced payment
we have received
we hope we'll receive the goods soon
we look forward to your kind reply
we must apologise for
we remain - our kindest regards
we sent you
we thank you in advance
we wish to inform you that
we would appreciate it if you could answer
we would appreciate your reply
with no obligation - without commitment
with reference to - in reference to with the compliments of
with the utmost care
with two weeks' notice
within the end of the month
within which
without delay
without notice
would you please let us have
would you please let us know
you ordered
you requested
you sent us
Yours faithfully (GB) - Yours truly (GB)

ENGLISH FOR SALES AND ACQUISITIONS

actual price
agency contract
agreed price
all-in price
allowance - reduction
amount - sum
amount of an invoice
approximate price
article - item
as per sample
assortment - range
assortment of sizes
back order - outstanding order
backlog of orders
bargain
to bargain over the price
batch - lot of goods
business card (GB) - calling card (US)
buy by instalments (GB) - to buy on the instalment plan (US)
to buy for cash
to buy in bulk - to buy wholesale

to buy on credit
buyer - purchaser
to cancel an order
to cash - to collect
cash before delivery
cash discount
cash on delivery (GB) - collect on delivery (US)
cash sale
cash with order
catalogue (GB) - catalog (US)
catalogue price
cheap - inexpensive
claim - complaint
to collect a debt
collection
colour reference
commercial agent
commercial invoice
commercial letter
market supply - market offer
maturity rate
to meet a deadline
missing goods
to negotiate
negotiation
net price
non-returnable packing
non delivery
old stocks - oddments
on account
on credit
order
order acquisition
order approval
order book
order confirmation
order from catalogue
order processing
packing charged at cost
packing excluded
packing included
packing list
to pass an order
to pay in advance
payment
payment by cheque
payment by instalments
payment in advance
payment on account
point of sale - sales outlet
poor quality
price ceiling
price decrease - price reduction
price fluctuation
price list
price marked up by 10%
price range
price recommended by the manufacturer
price reduction

commission - fee
company store - factory outlet
competitive price
complaints department
complimentary - free
to confirm an order
contract of sale
customer - client
customer assistance
customer portfolio
customer service department
cut in prices - lowering of prices
date of expiry (GB) - expiration (US)
date of receipt
deadline
defective - faulty
to delay in delivery
delay of payment
delayed delivery
delivery
delivery charges
delivery date
delivery order
discount on quantity
discount price
discount scale
to distribute
drop in sales
dumping price
duty-free shop
to enclose
enquiry - inquiry
to estimate
everyday article
ex-factory price
exclusive agreement
exclusive contract
exclusive right of sale
execution of an order
price tag
price/quality ratio
pricing
pro-forma invoice
purchase invoice
quality defect
quality standards
quotation
to raise prices
receipt
reduction
to refuse an order
regular customer
representative office
retail price
retail sale - retailing
retail trade - retailing
retailer - retail dealer
runner
sale - selling

sale by sample
sales commission
sales department
sales discount
sales force
sales invoice
sales meeting
sales period
sales proposal
sales returns
sales target
sales volume
salesman - seller
sample
sample collection
sample only - of no commercial value
sampling
second-hand
second-hand items
second-rate
to export
exportation - export
extension of payment
factory price
faulty goods
first choice
to fix a price
for sale
foreign branch
free gift - complimentary gift
free trial
full price
goods
goods in stock
goods on consignment
to grant a delay of payment
to grant a discount
to guarantee (GB) - to warrant (US)
guaranteed free of faults
illustrated catalogue
immediate delivery
to import
import licence
importation - import
importer
increase sales
intermediary - middleman
invoice - bill
to invoice
invoice price
keep prices down
lead time
list price
loss of customers
low-quality
lower prices
lump sum price

to make a delivery
to make an estimate
market prices
seconds
to sell by sample
to sell in bulk
to sell off
to sell on commission
to sell out
to sell wholesale - to wholesale
selling expenses
settlement of the invoice
shop - store (US)
shopkeeper
slump in prices
sold
sole agency
sole agent
solvency
special offer
specified price
spot goods - on-the-shelf goods
steady prices
sub-agent
to submit an invoice
suggested price - recommended price
supply
suspend payments
temporary import
terms of payment
terms of sale
time of delivery
top quality
trade practices
trade price
trial order
unit price
unsold
wholesale
wholesale discount
wholesale price
wholesale trade
wholesaler

ENGLISH FOR LOGISTICS

a nonstop flight
actual time of departure
advance freight - prepaid freight
advice of shipment - shipping notice - advice note
agreed airport of departure
agreed tare
air waybill (AWB) - air consignment note
all-up weight
allowed tolerances
at the border
average survey

backed note
barrel
batch number
bearer bill of lading
below deck
berth - mooring
bill of entry
bill of lading (B/L)
boarding card
bonded warehouse - customs warehouse
border - frontier
bulk cargo
by mail - by post
cardboard box - carton
cargo - load
cargo insurance
cargo plane - freight plane
carriage - transport (GB) - transportation (US)
carriage by sea - sea transport
carriage forward
carriage paid
carrier
certificate of origin
certificate of shipment
charter party
CIF value
clearance
clearance agent
clearance certificate
handling costs
harbour dues - harbour fees
harbour office
heavy traffic
hold
home delivery
house air waybill (HAWB)
import duties
import licence
in bond - waiting for clearance
in bulk
in transit
inch
inspection certificate
kilogramme - kilo
landed terms
landing
landing card
landing order - discharging permit
litre (GB) - liter (US)
loading and unloading charges
loading area
loading unit
lorry (GB) - truck (US)
lot
luggage (GB) - baggage (US)
metre (GB) - meter (US)
mile
millimetre
moorage

net tonnage
net weight
on arrival
on board
on deck
ounce
outward journey
overland forwarding
overload
owner's risk rate
clearance documents
clearance duty
cleared - ex bond - duty paid
collection of goods
consignee
consignor's name
consignor
consular invoice
container
container terminal
containership
cost and freight (C&F)
cost, insurance and freight (CIF)
cubic
cubic volume - cubic capacity
custom-house - customs
customs declaration form
customs formalities
customs guard - customs officer
customs invoice
customs officer
customs rate
customs regulations
declared value
delivered at frontier (DAF)
delivered duty paid (DDP)
delivery ex warehouse
delivery notice
delivery weight
destination
dock - quay - wharf
docker (GB) - longshoreman (US)
documents against acceptance
documents against payment
driver
duty-free
duty
duty paid
duty unpaid
entry visa
packing list
part load
part shipment
payload
place of delivery
place of departure
place of destination

port - harbour (GB) - harbor (US)

port authorities
port of arrival
port of call
port of departure
port of destination
port of discharge - port of delivery
porterage
postage
poste restante (GB) - general delivery (US)
pound
preferential rate
preliminary inspection
product loss during loading
protective duty
rail shipment - rail forwarding
reply paid
right of way
road transport - haulage
rummaging
scheduled time of arrival
scheduled time of departure
sender's name
sender
ship - vessel
shipment
shipowner company
shipping agent
shipping company
shipping cubage
shipping documents
shipping instructions
shipping note (S/N)
to charter a ship
to clear the goods
dock
ex factory - ex works
ex ship
ex warehouse
excess luggage (GB) - excess baggage (US)
export permit
failure - damage
flat-rate
foot
forwarder's receipt
forwarding agent
forwarding station
free-trade area
free carrier
free delivered
free delivery
free in and out (FIO)
free of all average
free of charges
free on board (FOB)
free on board airport
free on quay (FOQ) - free at wharf

free on truck
free port
freepost
freight - freightage
freight charges
freight payable at destination
freight prepaid
freight rate
from port to port
full container load (FCL)
goods handling
goods train (GB) - freight train (US)
goods wagon (GB) - freight car (US)
goods yard (GB) - freight yard (US)
gram - gramme
gross
gross weight
hand luggage
to handle with care
high seas
land
to rent a car
to send goods - to ship goods
to ship
single ticket (GB) - one-way ticket (US)
specified port - agreed port
storage - warehousing
storage costs - warehousing costs
to store
to stow
stowage charges
subject to duty
tare - tare weight
terms of delivery
time zone difference
tolerance
toll-free
ton
tonnage
trailer
tranship
transhipment - transloading
transport by rail
transport plane
unit of measurement
unloading operations
unpacked
warehouse receipt
warehousing - storage
waybill - consignment note
weigh
weighing
weight
weight limit
weight specified in the invoice
yard

ENGLISH FOR MARKETING

to act on the price

after-sales activities
after-sales service
assisted brand identification
to be competitive
to be out of stock
behaviour pattern
blind product test
brand equity
brand extension
brand loyalty
brand positioning
brand preference
brand range
brand strategy
brand switching
brand value
branded product
buy for fun
buying frequency
buying habit
buying motivation
call planning
cannibalization
cartel price
case history
cash and carry
certificate of guarantee
chain of retailers
cluster analysis
commercial strategy
competition
competitive advantage
competitive products
competitiveness
market penetration
market potential
market research
market segmentation
market share
market size
market survey
market test
marketing goals
marketing mix
marketing plan
marketing techniques
mass-market product
maturity phase
memory research
merchandiser
minimarket
mission
multipack
niche strategy
one-stop shopping
open question
own brand products
panel - consumer panel

parallel import
penetration index
perceived quality
pilot scheme
pilot shop
pilot survey
point of sale (POS)
position
positioning
potential market
premium price
competitor
competitor profile
consumer association
consumer panel
consumer survey
convenience goods
convenience store
corporate identity
corporate image
cost per call
cost per contact
coverage
customer loyalty
customer satisfaction
customer service
cut-throat competition
demand and supply curve
demand components
department stores
discount superstores
display material
distribution
distribution chain
distribution channel
distribution cost
distributor
domestic market
driving effect
economic model
empirical research
entry barriers
excess of supply
exhibition - show
exhibition stand
exit barriers
prestige product
price-sensitive buyers
price-sensitive product
price competitiveness
price limit
price perception
price/quality effect
product image
product life cycle
product manager
product oriented

product policy
product range
propensity to consume
psychological threshold
public relations (PR)
purchase headquarters
purchasing group
qualitative interview
qualitative research
quality management
quantitative interview
quantitative research
random sample
random sampling
redemption
redemption costs
reference price
reference value
registered trademark
repositioning
retail outlet
retail prices
retailer brand
sales analysis
experience curve
fashion product
first entry advantage
foreign dumping
franchising
free sample
game theory
gap analysis
group interview
guided interview
historical brand
hypermarket
imitation
imitative effect
in-store survey
incentive price
international competitiveness
interviewee - answering person
introductory offer
introductory stage
key factor of success
launch a product
law of demand and supply
long term forecast
loss leader price
loss of competitiveness
mail-order company
mail-order sale
make a survey
market amplitude - market scope
market analysis
market area
market elasticity
market evaluation

market expansion
market niche
market oriented
sales promotion
sales response
sales tactics
sell-in activity
sell-out activity
selling methods
semiotic analysis
to shop in the shop
shopping centre (GB) - shopping mall (US)
single brand distribution
social-economic factors
socio-economic characteristics
sole selling price
soundout the market
specialised store
statistical survey
sub-brand
substitute products
supply curve
targeted distribution
taste test
telephone research
trade fair
trade mark
trademark - brand name
trend
unbranded product
unfair competition
unstructured interview
user
value chain
value system
variety store (GB) - variety shop (US)
wholesale stores
wholesaler brand
win-win strategy

ENGLISH FOR PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURING

antislip
assemble-to-order product
to assemble
assembly - assembly process
assembly line
automation
auxiliary materials
backlog
bar chart
bar code
batch
breaking load
bulk production
by-product
colleague
computer-designed

computer-integrated manufacturing
consumption per unit
continuous processing line
custom-made goods
defect
to design
designer
direct cost
direct product profitability
distribution expenses
to draw a plan
dynamometer - tensile-strength tester
electrostatic charge
endurance test
energy costs
equipment
equipment purchase
factory
factory overheads - industrial overheads
to pack - to wrap
pack
packaging room
packing - packaging
packing department
personnel management
personnel rotation
personnel turnover - personnel replacement
piece-work
piece - item
pilot plant
plant manager
price tag
processing method
produce - to manufacture
producer - manufacturer
product analysis
product design
product mix
product range
product specialization
production - output
production constraints
production cost
production cycle
production factors
production index
production management
production manager
production methods
production overheads
production planning
production potential
production prices
production process
faulty - flawed
feasibility
final inspection

finished goods inventory

finished product
fixed manufacturing costs
floor manager - department manager
flow production
flowchart
goods lift (GB) - goods elevator (US)
hanging tag
in process of completion
in progress
in stock
industrial area
industrial espionage
industrial plant
industrial processes
industrial production
industrial property
inflammable
to innovate
innovation
innovative
input
invest in equipment
job order
know-how
to label
label
laboratory
laboratory test
labour cost per output unit
labour hand-work - manual labour
large scale production
production progress
production standards
production statement
production time - manufacturing time
production volume ratio
production worker
productive
productive capacity
productivity
productivity indicators
programme - to schedule
progress control
project
project management
project manager
project planning
prototype
quality certificate
quality circle (QC)
quality control
quality criteria
quality of output ratio
randomized sample
raw material
research and development (R&D)
research laboratory
safety device

safety measures
safety stock - safety inventory
scatter chart
semi-finished goods
semi-finished product
sequencing
shortage of raw materials
spare part
learning curve
line worker
logistics
machine-hours
to machine
machine loading
machine tools
machinery and equipment
main product
maintenance
Maintenance and Repair Handling (MRH)
to make to order - to make on request
manometer - pressure gauge
manufacturer's brand
manufacturing
manufacturing cost
manufacturing expenses
manufacturing industry
manufacturing overheads
manufacturing plants
to mass-produce
mass production
notice board
off-the-shelf
one-off production
operations scheduling
optical scanner - reader
to order
order backlog
out of order
output
output of a plant
overcapacity
overhead costs - overheads
to overproduce
overproduction
specific-purpose equipment
sticker
stock (GB) - inventory (US)
stock card - inventory listing
stock depletion
stock level
stock turnover - inventory turnover
storage costs
to store - to stock
store - warehouse
substandard
supplier
tag
technical consultant

technical sheet
technological gap
tensiometer
to test
tester
throughputs
timing - time scheduling
total output
toxic
twist counter
to unpack
unsold stocks - leftover stocks
warehouse - stockroom
warehouseman - storekeeper
to waste
waste goods
work-in-process products
work order cost
working conditions
workstation
zero-defect purchase

BUSINESS MEETINGS (USEFUL EXPRESSIONS)

The following phrases are used to conduct a meeting. These phrases are useful if you are
called on to conduct a meeting.
Opening
Good morning/afternoon, everyone.
If we are all here, let's get started / start the meeting / start.
Welcoming and Introducing
Please join me in welcoming (name of participant)
We're pleased to welcome (name of participant)
I'd like to extend a warm welcome to (name of participant)
It's a pleasure to welcome (name of participant)
I'd like to introduce (name of participant)
Stating the Principal Objectives
We're here today to ...
I'd like to make sure that we ...
Our main aim today is to ...
I've called this meeting in order to ...
Giving Apologies for Someone Who is Absent
I'm afraid.., (name of participant) can't be with us today. She is in...
Unfortunately, (name of participant) ... will not be with us to day because he ...
I have received apologies for absence from (name of participant), who is in (place).

Reading the Minutes (notes) of the Last Meeting

To begin with I'd like to quickly go through the minutes of our last meeting.
First, let's go over the report from the last meeting, which was held on (date)
Here are the minutes from our last meeting, which was on (date)
Dealing with Recent Developments
Jack, can you tell us how the XYZ project is progressing?
Jack, how is the XYZ project coming along?
John, have you completed the report on the new accounting package?
Has everyone received a copy of the Tate Foundation report on current marketing trends?
Moving Forward
So, if there is nothing else we need to discuss, let's move on to today's agenda.
Shall we get down to business?
Is there Any Other Business?
If there are no further developments, I'd like to move on to today's topic.
Introducing the Agenda
Have you all received a copy of the agenda?
There are X items on the agenda. First, ... second, ... third, ... lastly, ...
Shall we take the points in this order?
If you don't mind, I'd like to go in order today.
skip item 1 and move on to item 3
I suggest we take item 2 last.
Allocating Roles (secretary, participants)
(name of participant) has agreed to take the minutes.
(name of participant), would you mind taking the minutes?
(name of participant) has kindly agreed to give us a report on ...
(name of participant) will lead point 1, (name of participant) point 2, and (name of
participant) point 3.
(name of participant), would you mind taking notes today?
Agreeing on the Ground Rules for the Meeting (contributions, timing, decisionmaking, etc.)
We will first hear a short report on each point first, followed by a discussion of ...
I suggest we go round the table first.
Let's make sure we finish by ...
I'd suggest we ...
There will be five minutes for each item.
We'll have to keep each item to 15 minutes. Otherwise we'll never get through.
Introducing the First Item on the Agenda

So, let's start with ...

I'd suggest we start with...
Why don't we start with...
So, the first item on the agenda is
Pete, would you like to kick off?
Shall we start with ...
(name of participant), would you like to introduce this item?
Closing an Item
I think that takes care of the first item.
Shall we leave that item?
Why don't we move on to...
If nobody has anything else to add, lets ...
Next Item
Let's move onto the next item
Now that we've discussed X, let's now ...
The next item on today's agenda is...
Now we come to the question of.
Giving Control to the Next Participant
I'd like to hand over to (name of participant), who is going to lead the next point.
Next, (name of participant) is going to take us through ...
Now, I'd like to introduce (name of participant) who is going to ...
Summarizing
Before we close today's meeting, let me just summarize the main points.
Let me quickly go over today's main points.
To sum up, ...,.
OK, why don't we quickly summarize what we've done today.
In brief, ...
Shall I go over the main points?
Finishing Up
Right, it looks as though we've covered the main items.
If there are no other comments, I'd like to wrap this meeting up.
Let's bring this to a close for today.
Is there Any Other Business?
Suggesting and Agreeing on Time, Date and Place for the Next Meeting
Can we set the date for the next meeting, please?
So, the next meeting will be on ... (day), the . . . (date) of.. . (month) at ...
Let's next meet on ... (day), the . . . (date) of.. . (month) at ... What about the following
Wednesday? How is that?

Thanking Participants for Attending

I'd like to thank Marianne and Jeremy for coming over from London.
Thank you all for attending.
Thanks for your participation.
Closing the Meeting
The meeting is finished, we'll see each other next ...
The meeting is closed.
I declare the meeting closed.
Getting the Chairperson's Attention
(Mister/Madam) chairman.
May I have a word?
If I may, I think...
Excuse me for interrupting.
May I come in here?
Giving Opinions
I'm positive that...
I (really) feel that...
In my opinion...
The way I see things...
If you ask me,... I tend to think that...
Asking for Opinions
Are you positive that...
Do you (really) think that...
(name of participant) can we get your input?
How do you feel about...?
Commenting
That's interesting .
I never thought about it that way before.
Good point!
I get your point.
I see what you mean.
Agreeing
I totally agree with you.
Exactly!
That's (exactly) the way I feel.
I have to agree with (name of participant).

Disagreeing
Unfortunately, I see it differently.
Up to a point I agree with you, but...
(I'm afraid) I can't agree
Advising and Suggesting
Let's...
We should...
Why don't you....
How/What about...
I suggest/recommend that...
Clarifying
Let me spell out...
Have I made that clear?
Do you see what I'm getting at?
Let me put this another way...
I'd just like to repeat that...
Requesting Information
Please, could you...
I'd like you to...
Would you mind...
I wonder if you could...
Asking for Repetition
I'm afraid I didn't understand that. Could you repeat what you just said?
I didn't catch that. Could you repeat that, please?
I missed that. Could you say it again, please?
Could you run that by me one more time?
Asking for Clarification
I don't quite follow you. What exactly do you mean?
I'm afraid I don't quite understand what your are getting at.
Could you explain to me how that is going to work?
I don't see what you mean. Could we have some more details, please?
Asking for Verification
You did say next week, didn't you? ('did' is stressed)
Do you mean that...?
Is it true that...?
Asking for Spelling

Could you spell that, please?

Would you mind spelling that for me, please?
Asking for Contributions
We haven't heard from you yet, (name of participant).
What do you think about this proposal?
Would you like to add anything, (name of participant)?
Has anyone else got anything to contribute?
Are there any more comments?
Correcting Information
Sorry, I think you misunderstood what I said.
Sorry, that's not quite right.
I'm afraid you don't understand what I'm saying.
That's not quite what I had in mind.
That's not what I meant.
Keeping the Meeting On Target (time, relevance, decisions)
We're running short of time.
Well, that seems to be all the time we have today.
Please be brief.
I'm afraid we've run out of time.
I'm afraid that's outside the scope of this meeting.
Let's get back on track, why don't we?
That's not really why we're here today.
Why don't we return to the main focus of today's meeting.
We'll have to leave that to another time.
We're beginning to lose sight of the main point.
Keep to the point, please.
I think we'd better leave that for another meeting.
Are we ready to make a decision?

MOST COMMON ENGLISH WORDS

Rank Word
1
the
2
of
3
to
4
and
5
a
6
in
7
is
8
it
9
you

Reference

Rank Word
126 name
127 very
128 through
129 just
130 form
131 sentence
132 great
133 think
134 say

Reference

Preposition Help

Adjective or Adverb?

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47

that
he
was
for
on
are
with
as
I
his
they
be
at
one
have
this
from
or
had
by
hot
word
but
what
some
we
can
out
other
were
all
there
when
up
use
your
how
said

Preposition Help
Preposition Help

Preposition Help

Preposition Help

Preposition Help

Preposition Help

Preposition Help

135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172

help
low
line
differ
turn
cause
much
mean
before
move
right
boy
old
too
same
tell
does
set
three
want
air
well
also
play
small
end
put
home
read
hand
port
large
spell
add
even
land
here
must

Preposition Help

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

48

an

49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84

each
she
which
do
their
time
if
will
way
about
many
then
them
write
would
like
so
these
her
long
make
thing
see
him
two
has
look
more
day
could
go
come
did
number
sound
no

Definite and Indefinite

Articles

Preposition Help

173 big

Adjective or Adverb?

174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209

Adjective or Adverb?

high
such
follow
act
why
ask
men
change
went
light
kind
off
need
house
picture
try
us
again
animal
point
mother
world
near
build
self
earth
father
head
stand
own
page
should
country
found
answer
school

Adjective or Adverb?
Preposition Help

Preposition Help

85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122

most
people
my
over
know
water
than
call
first
who
may
down
side
been
now
find
any
new
work
part
take
get
place
made
live
where
after
back
little
only
round
man
year
came
show
every
good
me

Preposition Help

Adjective or Adverb?

Preposition Help

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247

grow
study
still
learn
plant
cover
food
sun
four
between
state
keep
eye
never
last
let
thought
city
tree
cross
farm
hard
start
might
story
saw
far
sea
draw
left
late
run
don't
while
press
close
night
real

Preposition Help

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

123 give
124 our
125 under
Rank Word
251 open
252 seem
253 together
254 next
255 white
256 children
257 begin
258 got
259 walk
260 example
261 ease
262 paper
263 group
264 always
265 music
266 those
267 both
268 mark
269 often
270 letter
271 until
272 mile
273 river
274 car
275 feet
276 care
277 second
278 book
279 carry
280 took
281 science
282 eat
283 room
284 friend

Reference

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

Preposition Help

248 life
249 few
250 north
Rank Word
376 ten
377 simple
378 several
379 vowel
380 toward
381 war
382 lay
383 against
384 pattern
385 slow
386 center
387 love
388 person
389 money
390 serve
391 appear
392 road
393 map
394 rain
395 rule
396 govern
397 pull
398 cold
399 notice
400 voice
401 unit
402 power
403 town
404 fine
405 certain
406 fly
407 fall
408 lead
409 cry

Reference
Adjective or Adverb?

Preposition Help

Preposition Help

Adjective or Adverb?

285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322

began
idea
fish
mountain
stop
once
base
hear
horse
cut
sure
watch
color
face
wood
main
enough
plain
girl
usual
young
ready
above
ever
red
list
though
feel
talk
bird
soon
body
dog
family
direct
pose
leave
song

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?
Preposition Help

Preposition Help

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447

dark
machine
note
wait
plan
figure
star
box
noun
field
rest
correct
able
pound
done
beauty
drive
stood
contain
front
teach
week
final
gave
green
oh
quick
develop
ocean
warm
free
minute
strong
special
mind
behind
clear
tail

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?
Preposition Help
Adjective or Adverb?

323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360

measure
door
product
black
short
numeral
class
wind
question
happen
complete
ship
area
half
rock
order
fire
south
problem
piece
told
knew
pass
since
top
whole
king
space
heard
best
hour
better
true
during
hundred
five
remember
step

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485

produce
fact
street
inch
multiply
nothing
course
stay
wheel
full
force
blue
object
decide
surface
deep
moon
island
foot
system
busy
test
record
boat
common
gold
possible
plane
stead
dry
wonder
laugh
thousand
ago
ran
check
game
shape

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

361 early
362 hold
363 west
364 ground
365 interest
366 reach
367 fast
368 verb
369 sing
370 listen
371 six
372 table
373 travel
374 less
375 morning
Rank Word
501 grand
502 ball
503 yet
504 wave
505 drop
506 heart
507 am
508 present
509 heavy
510 dance
511 engine
512 position
513 arm
514 wide
515 sail
516 material
517 size
518 vary
519 settle
520 speak
521 weight
522 general

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Reference
Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

486 equate
487 hot
Adjective or Adverb?
488 miss
489 brought
490 heat
491 snow
492 tire
493 bring
494 yes
495 distant
Adjective or Adverb?
496 fill
497 east
498 paint
499 language
500 among
Rank Word
Reference
626 cat
627 century
628 consider
629 type
630 law
631 bit
632 coast
633 copy
634 phrase
635 silent
Adjective or Adverb?
636 tall
Adjective or Adverb?
637 sand
638 soil
639 roll
640 temperature
641 finger
642 industry
643 value
644 fight
645 lie
646 beat
647 excite

523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560

ice
matter
circle
pair
include
divide
syllable
felt
perhaps
pick
sudden
Adjective or Adverb?
count
square
reason
length
represent
art
subject
region
energy
hunt
probable Adjective or Adverb?
bed
brother
egg
ride
cell
believe
fraction
forest
sit
race
window
store
summer
train
sleep
prove

648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685

natural
view
sense
ear
else
quite
broke
case
middle
kill
son
lake
moment
scale
loud
spring
observe
child
straight
consonant
nation
dictionary
milk
speed
method
organ
pay
age
section
dress
cloud
surprise
quiet
stone
tiny
climb
cool
design

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598

lone
Adjective or Adverb?
leg
exercise
wall
catch
mount
wish
sky
board
joy
winter
sat
written
wild
Adjective or Adverb?
instrument
kept
glass
grass
cow
job
edge
sign
visit
past
soft
fun
Adjective or Adverb?
bright
Adjective or Adverb?
gas
weather
month
million
bear
finish
happy
Adjective or Adverb?
hope
flower
clothe
strange
Adjective or Adverb?

686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723

poor
lot
experiment
bottom
key
iron
single
stick
flat
twenty
skin
smile
crease
hole
trade
melody
trip
office
receive
row
mouth
exact
symbol
die
least
trouble
shout
except
wrote
seed
tone
join
suggest
clean
break
lady
yard
rise

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

599 gone
600 jump
601 baby
602 eight
603 village
604 meet
605 root
606 buy
607 raise
608 solve
609 metal
610 whether
611 push
612 seven
613 paragraph
614 third
615 shall
616 held
617 hair
618 describe
619 cook
620 floor
621 either
622 result
623 burn
624 hill
625 safe
Rank Word
751 gentle
752 woman
753 captain
754 practice
755 separate
756 difficult
757 doctor
758 please
759 protect
760 noon

Adjective or Adverb?
Reference
Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

724 bad
725 blow
726 oil
727 blood
728 touch
729 grew
730 cent
731 mix
732 team
733 wire
734 cost
735 lost
736 brown
737 wear
738 garden
739 equal
740 sent
741 choose
742 fell
743 fit
744 flow
745 fair
746 bank
747 collect
748 save
749 control
750 decimal
Rank Word
876 truck
877 noise
878 level
879 chance
880 gather
881 shop
882 stretch
883 throw
884 shine
885 property

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Reference
Adjective or Adverb?

761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798

whose
locate
ring
character
insect
caught
period
indicate
radio
spoke
atom
human
history
effect
electric
expect
crop
modern
element
hit
student
corner
party
supply
bone
rail
imagine
provide
agree
thus
capital
won't
chair
danger
fruit
rich
thick
soldier

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906
907
908
909
910
911
912
913
914
915
916
917
918
919
920
921
922
923

column
molecule
select
wrong
gray
repeat
require
broad
prepare
salt
nose
plural
anger
claim
continent
oxygen
sugar
death
pretty
skill
women
season
solution
magnet
silver
thank
branch
match
suffix
especially
fig
afraid
huge
sister
steel
discuss
forward
similar

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
820
921
822
823
284
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836

process
operate
guess
necessary
sharp
wing
create
neighbor
wash
bat
rather
crowd
corn
compare
poem
string
bell
depend
meat
rub
tube
famous
dollar
stream
fear
sight
thin
triangle
planet
hurry
chief
colony
clock
mine
tie
enter
major
fresh

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

924
925
926
927
928
929
930
931
932
933
934
935
936
937
938
939
940
941
942
943
944
945
946
947
948
949
950
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
959
960
961

guide
experience
score
apple
bought
led
pitch
coat
mass
card
band
rope
slip
win
dream
evening
condition
feed
tool
total
basic
Adjective or Adverb?
smell
valley
nor
double
seat
arrive
master
track
parent
shore
division
sheet
substance
favor
connect
post
spend

837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
840
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864
865
866
867
868
869
870
871
872
873
874

search
send
yellow
gun
allow
print
dead
Adjective or Adverb?
spot
desert
suit
current
lift
rose
continue
block
chart
hat
sell
success
company
subtract
event
particular Adjective or Adverb?
deal
swim
term
opposite
wife
shoe
shoulder
spread
arrange
camp
invent
cotton
born
determine
quart

962
963
964
965
966
967
968
969
970
971
972
973
974
975
976
977
978
979
980
981
982
983
984
985
986
987
988
989
990
991
992
993
994
995
996
997
998
999

chord
fat
glad
original
share
station
dad
bread
charge
proper
bar
offer
segment
slave
duck
instant
market
degree
populate
chick
dear
enemy
reply
drink
occur
support
speech
nature
range
steam
motion
path
liquid
log
meant
quotient
teeth
shell

Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective or Adverb?

875 nine

1000 neck

Here are ten questions to help you start speaking English. Each of
these questions help to begin or continue a conversation. The
questions are in two categories: Basic Facts and Hobbies / Free Time.
There are also a number of questions that can help you continue the
conversation after the first question.
Five Basic Facts
These five questions will help you get to know people. They are simple
questions with simple answers and provide information so you can ask
more questions.
What is your name?
Where do you live?
What do you do?
Are you married?
Where are you from?
More questions for ...
These questions help to continue the conversation after your first
question.
"What is your name?"
It's a pleasure to meet you. Where are you from?
That's an interesting name. Is it Chinese / French / Indian, etc.?
"Where do you live?"

How long have you lived there?

Do you like that neighborhood?
Do you live in an apartment or house?
"What do you do?"
Which company do you work for?
How long have you had that job?
Do you like your job?
What's the best / worst thing about your job?
What do you like best / least about your job?
"Are you married?"
How long have been married?
Where did you get married?
What does your husband / wife do?
Do you have any children?
"Where are you from?"
Where is ....?
How long did you live there?
What is XYZ like?
Do you like living here?
Hobbies / Free Time
These questions will help you continue conversations and find out
more about people's likes and dislikes.
What do you like doing in your free time?
Can you play tennis / golf / soccer / etc.?
What kind of films / food / vacations do you enjoy?
What do you do on weekends / Saturdays?
More questions for ...
These questions will help you ask for more detail.
"What do you like doing in your free time?"

How often do you (listen to music, eat out in restaurants, etc.)?

Where do you (listen to music, eat out in restaurants, etc.) in this
town?
Why do you like (listening to music, eating out in restaurants, etc.) so
much?
"Can you play tennis / golf / soccer / etc.?"
Do you enjoy playing tennis /golf /soccer /etc.?
How long have you played tennis /golf /soccer /etc.?
Who do you play tennis /golf /soccer /etc. with?
"What kind of films / food / vacations do you enjoy?"
What's the best place to see /eat / go on vacations?
What's the best type of film /food / vacation, etc. in your opinion?
How often do you watch films / eat out / go on vacation?
"What do you do on weekends / Saturdays?"
Where do you go to ...?
Could you recommend a good place to (go shopping / take my children
swimming / etc.)?
How long have you done that?
Sau:
Personal Information
What's your name?
Peter.
Where are you from? / Where do you come from?
I'm from ... I come from ...
What's your surname / family name?
Smith.
What's your first name?
Tom.
What's your address?
7865 NW Sweet Street

Where do you live?

I live in San Diego.
What's your (tele)phone number?
209-786-9845
How old are you?
Twenty-five. I'm twenty-five years old.
When / Where were you born?
I was born in 1961 / Seattle.
Are you married? / What's your marital status?
I'm single.
What do you do? / What's your job?
I'm a librarian.
Where did you go?
I went to a friend's house.
What did you do?
We played video games.
Where were you?
I was in New York for the weekend.
Have you got a car / job / house / etc.?
Yes, I've got a good job.
Have you got any children / friends / books / etc.?
Yes, I've got three children - two boys and a daughter.
Can you play tennis / golf / football / etc.?
Yes, I can play golf.
Can you speak English / French / Japanese / etc.?
No, I can't speak Japanese.
Could you speak English / French / Japanese / etc.?
when you were five / two / fifteen / etc. years old?
Yes, I could speak English when I was five years old.

Introducing Yourself / Saying Hello

How do you do?
How do you do. Pleased to meet you.
How are you?
Fine, thanks. And you?
Shopping
How can I help you? / May I help you?
Yes. I'm looking for a sweater.
Can I try it on?
Sure, the changing rooms are over there.
How much does it cost? / How much is it?
It's $45.
How would you like to pay?
By credit card.
Can I pay by credit card / check / debit card?
Certainly. We accept all major cards.
Have you got something bigger / smaller / lighter / etc.?
Certainly, we've got a smaller sizes as well.
Asking Something Specific
What's that?
It's a cat!
What time is it?
It's three o'clock.

Can / May I open the window?

Certainly. It's hot in here!
Is there a bank / supermarket / pharmacy / etc. near here?
Yes. There is a bank on the next corner next to the post office.
Where is the nearest bank / supermarket / pharmacy / etc.?
The nearest pharmacy is on 15th street.
Who wrote / invented / painted / etc. the ...?
Hemingway wrote "The Sun Also Rises".
Is there any water / sugar / rice / etc.?
Yes, there's a lot of sugar left.
Are there any apples / sandwiches / books / etc.?
No, there aren't any apples left.
Is this your / his / her / etc. book / ball / house / etc.?
No, I think it's his ball.
Whose is this / that?
It's Jack's.
Questions with 'Like'
What do you like?
I like playing tennis, reading and listening to music.
What does he look like?
He's tall and slim.
What would you like?
I'd like a steak and chips.
What is it like?
It's an interesting country.
What's the weather like?
It's raining at the moment.
Would you like some coffee / tea / food?
Yes, thank you. I'd like some coffee.
Would you like something to drink / eat?
Thank you. Could I have a cup of tea?
Asking for an Opinion

What's it about?
It's about a young boy who encounters adventures.
What do you think about your job / that book / Tim / etc.?
I thought the book was very interesting.
How big / far / difficult / easy is it?
The test was very difficult!
How big / far / difficult / easy are they?
The questions were very easy.
How was it?
It was very interesting.
What are you going to do tomorrow / this evening / next week / etc.?
I'm going to visit some friends next weekend.
Suggestions
What shall we do this evening?
Let's go see a film.
Why don't we go out / play tennis / visit friends / etc. this evening?
Yes, that sounds like a good idea.

TOPICS FOR CONVERSATIONS:

Hypothetical
What would you do if you were late for an important appointment?
What would you do if someone accused you of a crime you didn't commit?
What would you do if you got lost in an unfamiliar city?
What would you do if you left something in a locked building?
What would you do if your best friend stole something from you?
What would you do if you didn't have enough money to pay your bills?
What would you do if your children were caught shoplifting?
What would you do if your car got a flat tire on the freeway?
If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?
If you could change one major historical event, what would it be?
Situation
Someone asks you a question you do not want to answer. What do you say?
You need to borrow some money from a friend. What do you say?
You broke your sister's favorite vase. What do you say?
You forgot your mother's birthday. What do you say when you see her?
You want to buy an item located behind the cashier. What do you say?
You arrive late to a meeting because you couldn't get a taxi. What do you say?
Your friend "wiped out" while skiing and looks hurt. What do you say?
The man in the seat next to you is smoking. What do you say?
Your child is playing with matches. What do you say?
You need more time to finish an exam. What do you say to the teacher?
Description
Describe
Describe
Describe
Describe
Describe
Describe
Describe
Describe
Describe
Describe

a famous park or recreation area in your home country.

an interesting neighbor you have had.
something you could never give away.
a place you will never forget.
a sporting event you attended recently.
a memorable birthday celebration.
a place you go for recreation or exercise.
your childhood home.
someone you respect deeply.
the nightlife in a city you are familiar with.

Narration
Tell about a recent interview.
Tell about a time when you lost something.
Tell about one of your fondest childhood memories.
Tell about a time when you lied to your parents, boss, or teacher.
Tell about a time when you were treated unfairly.
Briefly tell about a movie you saw recently.
Tell about something you made "from scratch."

Tell about a "close call" you had recently.

Tell about something you wish had never happened.
Tell about a time when you inadvertently caused trouble for someone else.
Opinion
What
What
What
What
What
What
What
What
What
What

is
is
is
is
is
is
is
is
is
is

your
your
your
your
your
your
your
your
your
your

opinion
opinion
opinion
opinion
opinion
opinion
opinion
opinion
opinion
opinion

about
about
about
about
about
about
about
about
about
about

cellular phones?
women in the military?
a current politician?
violence on television?
fortune telling?
the tabloids?
legalizing marijuana?
the welfare system?
cloning?
recycling?

Instructions
Tell
Tell
Tell
Tell
Tell
Tell
Tell
Tell
Tell
Tell

how to find something on the Internet.

how to feed family members who drop by unexpectedly.
how to dump a boyfriend/girlfriend.
how to get from your house to the supermarket.
what to do in an earthquake.
how to get someone to fall in love with you.
how to make a paper airplane.
how to get a good table at a restaurant.
how to get a discount on an expensive item.
how to discipline an unruly child.

Sau:
A: Invite B to go somewhere this weekend.
B: Politely refuse A's invitation.
A: Call and tell your boss (B) you can't come to work because of illness.
B: You think A is bluffing (not really sick).
A: Ask B to teach you to play tennis.
B: You hate coaching for free.
A: Try to get B to divulge a secret about someone else.
B: Don't be persuaded to do it.
A: Ask B to give you a ride home.
B: A's house is out of the way, and your time is limited.
A: Call and tell B you can't come to the party on Friday.
B: Try to get A to come to the party. (It's a surprise party for him/her.)
A: Try to get B to smoke marijuana.
B: You don't want to use any illegal drug.
A: Call to order a pizza.
B: Wrong number. You sell pitas, not pizzas.
A: Present B with an unsolicited gift.
B: You do not feel comfortable accepting the gift.
A: Try to get B to go on a date with your niece/nephew.
B: You can't stand A's niece/nephew.
A: You ran over B's favorite pet with your truck. Apologize to him/her.
B: You are very upset with the news. The pet is irreplaceable.
A: You lost your wedding ring. Tell your spouse (B).
B: Get angry with A for losing the ring.

SAU:

1. An interesting place you have been to recently

2. An interesting person you have met
3. What you would like to do when you get older
4. What you would like to learn in the future
5. A frightening experience you had when you were young
6. A person you like to spend time with
7. An exciting experience you had
8. A favorite pet
9. Something you like to do when you have free time
10. A place you would like to visit in the future
11. A person you would like to meet some day
12. A person who has influenced your life
13. Something you have never done but would like to do
14. Something you have done but never want to do again
15. An experience which made you laugh
16. An experience which made you cry
17. What you would do if you had a million dollars
18. What you would do if you were President of your country
19. A gift you could give others
20. A gift you would like someone to give you
21. A special talent you have

2. DAILY ACTIVITIES
What are some things that you do every day?
Describe a typical daily routine.
Tell what you do at various times throughout the day.
Ask your partner to tell you his/her daily schedule.
What time do you go to work/school?
What time do you get out of class/get off work?

Talk
Make a time table like the one below.
Time
7:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.

Monday

Thursday

Saturday

7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
Fill in the time table with information about your daily activities.
Describe your routine to a partner.
For example,
I get up at 7:00 every day.
Then I take a shower, get dressed and eat breakfast.
I leave my house at 8:00 and ride the bus to school.
I start class at 9:00 on Monday, and 10:00 on Thursday.
I usually have lunch at 1:00.
I finish class at 3:30 p.m.
On Saturday, I sleep in until 11:00.
Ask your partner about his/her daily routine.
For example,
What
What
What
What
What

time do you usually wake up?

do you do between classes
time do you finish work?
do you do in the evening?
time do you get home on the weekends?

1. FAMILY
Show a family picture to your classmates.
How many people are in your family?
Introduce each of them. Tell how the people in the picture are related
to you.
Tell about your extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins,
etc.) if you know them well.
Tell about people you know outside of your family.
Introducing your family
-This is my mother/mom.
-This is my father/dad.
-(These are my parents)
This is my wife.
This is my husband.
There are five people in my family.
(My mother, my father, my older brother, my older sister, me, my younger
brother.)
I have two brothers.
One is older.
one brother is older (than me).
One is younger.
I have one sister.
I'm number three.
Asking about family
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
What number are you?
He's the oldest (of five children).
She's the youngest.
Cindy doesn't have any brothers or sisters.
Jared is an only child.
How many children do you have?
We have two. One son and one daughter.

Do you have any kids?

No, I'm not married.

English Vocabulary for talking about your family.

Your family tree
Your closest relatives are your parents: your mother and father; and your siblings (brothers or
sisters). If your mother or father is not an only child, you also have aunts and / or uncles. An
aunt is the sister of your mother or father, while an uncle is the brother of your mother or father.
Your female child is called your daughter, and your male child is your son.
If your aunts or uncles have children, they are your first cousins. (In English, the word cousin is
used, whether the cousin is female or male.) Your female cousin is your mother (or father's)
niece, while a male cousin is the nephew of your mother and father.
In-laws
When you marry, your husband (or wife's) family become your in-laws. The mother of your
spouse (husband or wife) is your mother-in-law and his or her father becomes your father-inlaw. The term in-law is also used to describe your relationship with the spouses of your siblings.
So the husband of your sister becomes your brother-in-law, while the sister of your husband
becomes your sister-in-law. If you are a woman, you become the daughter-in-law of your
husband's parents, and if you are a man, you become the son-in-law of your wife's parents. The
same term in-law is used for all generations. The husband of your aunt is still your mother's
brother-in-law, for example.
Grandparents / grandchildren
The parents of your parents are your grandparents grandmother and grandfather. You are
their grandchildren either a granddaughter or a grandson. If your grandparent has a sister,
she is your great-aunt. If your grandparent has a brother, he is your great-uncle. (And you are
either his or her great-niece or great-nephew.)
The mother of your grandmother or grandfather is your great-grandmother. The father is your
great-grandfather. If you go back another generation, the grandmother of your grandmother /
grandfather is your great-great-grandmother. The grandfather of your grandparent becomes
your great-great-grandfather.
Second families
If your mother or father remarries, you can acquire a new family and set of relatives. For example,
if your father marries a second wife, she becomes your step-mother. Any children she already
has become your step-sisters or step-brothers.
If your mother or father remarries and has children, they become your half-brothers or halfsisters.

You might also hear people talking about their biological brother / sister etc, to mean a brother
who is related by blood, rather than by marriage.

Types of family
nuclear family = mother, father and children: "The traditional British family unit is a nuclear
family."
single-parent / one-parent family = a family which only has one parent (because the parents
are divorced, or because one of the parents has died): "There are more and more single-parent
families in the UK."
immediate family = your closest relatives: "Only immediate family members attended the
funeral."
extended family = your entire family: "The wedding invitations were sent to the entire extended
family."
close-knit family = a family where the members have close relationships with each other: "They
are a close-knit family."
dysfunctional family = a family where the members have serious problems with each other: "He
comes from a rather dysfunctional family."
blood relative = a relative connected to you by "blood" rather than through marriage: "She's not
a blood relative, but we're still very close."

Expressions with family

family gathering = a meeting / celebration of family members: "There's a small family gathering
next week."
family resemblance = where members of the family look / act similar: "You can see a distinct
family resemblance between the father and the son."
to start a family = to start having children: "They want to wait a couple of years before starting a
family."
to run in the family = a characteristic that is common among family members: "Baldness runs in
his family."
to bring up / raise a family = to have and look after children: "It's difficult to raise a family on one
income."
a family car = a car big enough to transport a family: "The Volvo Estate is a popular family car."
family-size = large quantity item: "We need to buy family-size packets of biscuits!"
family-friendly = a policy that favours families: "This hotel is family-friendly."

family doctor = a doctor who looks after general medical needs: "There are a number of good
family doctors in this area."
family man = a man who prefers to spend his time with his family: "John is a family man."
family values = traditional ideas about what a family should be: "Some political parties often
emphasise family values and the importance of marriage."
family name = surname: "What's your family name?"

Describing family relationships

Children often quarrel with each other, and these arguments or squabbles are often quickly
resolved. In fact, sibling rivalry (the competition between brothers and sisters) is quite common.
More seriously, if arguments continue into adulthood, family feuds can develop where both sides
can end up hating each other and even trying to hurt or destroy each other.
A person who no longer speaks to a family member is estranged from his / her family. Often
estrangement is voluntary. However, if parents decide they no longer want anything to do with
their children, they cut them off (= break off communiation), or even disinherit them. (Decide not
to leave them anything when they die.)
Most people feel loyalty to their family, and will defend family members saying "He / She's
family". There's also a saying "Blood's thicker than water" which means that your family ties
are stronger than any other relationships.

ADJECTIVES DESCRIBING PEOPLE:

An A-Z of English words and phrases that describe behaviour.

A
active = always doing something: "She's an active person and never wants to stay in."
aggressive = being angry or threatening: "He's aggressive and starts arguments."
ambitious = wanting to succeed: "He's ambitious and wants to lead the company."
argumentative = always arguing with people: "He won't accept what you say he's
argumentative and loves to disagree!"
arrogant = thinking you are better than anyone else: "He always behaves as if nobody else's
opinion is important "I find him very arrogant."
assertive = being confident, so people can't force you to do things you don't want to do: "It's
important to be assertive at work."

bad-tempered = in a bad mood: "What's got into him lately? He's so bad-tempered."
big-headed = thinking you're very important or clever: "I've never met anyone so big-headed!"
bossy = telling people what to do all the time: "He's so bossy - he never lets me do things the
way I want to do them."

C
careless = not taking care: "He's a careless driver "I'm sure he'll have an accident."
caring = wanting to help people: "My boss is caring and often asks me how things are going."
catty = saying nasty or spiteful things about other people: "I know you don't like her, but calling
her names is a bit catty."
cautious = being careful, so that you avoid mistakes: "He's cautious about investing money in the
stock market."
charming = pleasant and likeable: "What a charming man!"
cheeky = being rude or disrespectful: "It was a bit cheeky of him to ask for more money."
clever = intelligent: "She's a clever student and picks things up quickly."
conceited = thinking you're very clever, or better than others: "He's so conceited he thinks
everyone should admire him."
conscientious = doing something carefully, because you want to do it well: "She's a
conscientious student and always does her homework."
considerate = thinking and caring about others: "My neighbour brought me flowers when I was in
hospital he's very considerate." ("That was considerate of him.")
coy = pretending to be shy so that you don't have to give information: "He's very coy about his
qualifications maybe he doesn't have any."
creative = someone who can make or design things, or can think of solutions to a problem:
"She's creative and artistic."
curious = wanting to know things: "I'm curious to find out what you think of the situation."

D
deceitful = trying to make people think something, so that you get what you want: "He lied to get
this job he's so deceitful."
docile = quiet and submissive: "She's a docile child and always does what she's told."

dogmatic = wanting others to accept your ideas without discussion: "He's a dogmatic politician
and always thinks he's right."
domineering = trying to control other people: "He's loud and domineering in the office it's
difficult to get him to listen to us."

E
enthusiastic = having a lot of interest in something: "He's an enthusiastic supporter of equal
rights."
excitable = someone who easily gets excited: "He gets very excitable about politics it's one of
his passions in life."
extroverted = outgoing and lively: "She's extroverted and loves going out with people."

F
faithful = being loyal to someone or something: "She's a faithful friend."
fickle = changing your mind and being unpredictable: "Politicians can be fickle when it suits
them!"
flaky = slightly unstable and unreliable: "She's a little flaky at times, but otherwise she's a good
worker."
full of himself = acting proud of yourself: "He was full of himself after he got the promotion it
got annoying after a while."
funny = making other people laugh: "He can be extremely funny when he's in the mood."
fussy =

only liking certain things: "She's fussy about what she wears."

G
good-natured = kind and thoughtful: "She's good-natured and always tries to help."
grumpy = someone who tends to be in a bad mood: "He's always grumpy in the morning and
never says 'hello'."

H
happy-go-lucky = not worrying about what might happen in the future: "He's a bit happy-go-lucky
and doesn't think about the future."

impulsive = doing things without thinking first: "If he sees something he likes, he just buys it he
can be so impulsive at times!"
inconsiderate = not considering other people or their feelings: "It was a little inconsiderate of him
not to give you a get-well card."
introverted = opposite of extroverted: "He was introverted as a teenager, but became more
confident as he got older."
inventive = able to think up new ideas: "As head of Marketing, he can often think of inventive
ways to keep his customers happy."
irritating = annoying others: "He can be very irritating to work with."

J
jokey = making jokes: "You're in a jokey mood today, but we've got work to do!"
jolly = happy and cheerful: "It was the weekend and everyone was in a jolly mood."

K
kind = thoughtful and caring: "My neighbour is kind she looked after my cat when I was on
holiday."

L
loud-mouthed = someone who talks a lot and often says offensive things: "Don't worry about
what he said he's loud-mouthed at times."
loyal = someone who is faithful and stands by you: "His colleagues were loyal to him when he
was having problems with his boss."

M
manic = behaving in a slightly crazy way: "We're a bit manic at the moment we're rushing to
finish the work before our deadline."
manipulative = trying to get people to do what you want, by influencing or deceiving them: "She's
very manipulative when she wants something."
moody = having unpredictable moods: "Some people think he's moody you never know if he's
happy or grumpy."

N
nervous = uncomfortable with a situation: "I'm always nervous before an exam."

O
old-fashioned = behaving or thinking in a way that isn't modern: "He's a bit old-fashioned and
thinks women shouldn't work."
opinionated = having strong opinions: "He's opinionated and dogmatic the last person you
want to negotiate with."

P
passive = not assertive doing what other people want you to do without arguing: "He's passive
at work, but domineering at home."
perfectionnist = someone who wants perfection: "Her boss is a perfectionnist no spelling
mistakes are allowed."
persuasive = being able to persuade people to do things or to accept your ideas: "He's a
persuasive talker."
picky = only liking certain things or people: "She's picky about her friends."
playful = someone who likes to play and have fun: "You're in a playful mood today!"
pleasant = nice and polite: "The bank manager was pleasant to me today."
polite = showing good manners: "She's polite and never forgets to say 'please' or 'thank you'."
pragmatic = being practical and aware of your limitations: "She's pragmatic at work and only
does what she can."

Q
quick-tempered = getting angry quickly: "He was quick-tempered when he was young, but he's
more relaxed now."

R
reserved = keeping your ideas and thoughts to yourself: "He's reserved, but polite."
rude = impolite: "He's very rude and never says 'please' or 'thank you'."

S
scatter-brained / scatty = someone who often forgets things: "Don't you remember where you
put your wallet? You're so scatter-brained!"
serious = not light-hearted: "He's a serious student and always does his homework."

shy = quiet, because you are not very confident: "He's so shy and hates saying anything to
people he doesn't know."
sincere = saying what you believe (opposite of insincere): "He's sincere in his beliefs."
slapdash = doing your work quickly and carelessly: "He's got a very slapdash attitude I doubt
he'll ever become a lawyer."
slimy = trying to get what you want by being over-friendly: "That man is so slimy he makes me
feel sick!"
sly = doing things in a secretive way: "You never know what he's up to he's sly and
manipulative."
spiteful = trying to hurt other people because you didn't get what you wanted: "If she doesn't get
what she wants, she can be quite spiteful."

T
thoughtful = someone who thinks a lot: "He's a thoughtful person and won't do anything unless
he has considered the consequences."
thoughtless = not thinking about people or the consequences of your actions: "I'm sure he didn't
mean to be rude he can be thoughtless at times."
trustworthy = someone you can trust: "My accountant is really trustworthy."

V
volatile quickly changing moods: "He's easily excitable and pretty volatile."

W
witty = being able to make other people laugh by what you say: "He's witty and charming the
perfect person to invite to a party."

Talk (homework)
Talk to a partner about an interesting experience you had with a family
member.
Pretend it is your wedding day and you are introducing all your
relatives to your new husband or wife.