THE MOST USEFUL ENGLISH PHRASES

THE MOST USEFUL ENGLISH PHRASES

English as the same as Spanish is known for its phrases that connects ideas. For example:

1) On the one hand...on the other hand: It is used when comparing different things or opposite facts or ideas: E.g. 

“On the one hand I want to sell the house, but on the other hand, I can’t bear the thought of moving”.

“On the one hand I want to travel abroad, but on the other hand, I don’t want to give up my job”.

2) For the time being[JS1] : For a short period of time from now, but not permanently: E.g.

“You can stay in the spare room for the time being”.

“You’ll have your own office soon, but for the time being, you’ll have to share one.”

3) From time to time[JS2] : Sometimes, but not regularly or very often.

E.g. “I still see her from time to time”, “She still thinks about him from time to time”

4) First of all: (Spoken) It is used to introduce the first thing that you are going to talk about. E.g.

“First of all, I want to welcome you to the meeting”.  ”First of all, she just smiled, and then she started to laugh.”

5) That is (to say): used to correct something that you have just said or written. E.g.

“I know how to operate a computer, that is, I thought I did until I saw this one.”

6) By no means: not at all. E.g.

“By no means you are going to drive my car”

7) Otherwise: a word meaning “if not”, often used when there will be a bad result if something doesn’t happen. E.g.

“You’ll have to go now; otherwise, you’ll miss your bus.”

“They got two free tickets to Canada; otherwise, they could not go”

8) No wonder: used to say that you are not surprised by something. E.g.

“No wonder you have a headache due to the amount you drank last night.”

“I never see Pedro studying; no wonder he did not pass his examination.”

9) In fact: used to say what the real truth of a situation is, especially when this is different from what people think or say it is. E.g.

“They told me it is cheap but in fact it costs me nearly $500.”

10) As usual: In the way that happens or exists most of the time. E.g.

“As usual, they left the children at home with Susan.”

11) However: used when you are adding a fact or piece of information that seems surprising. E.g.

“This method is widely adopted; however, it’s not yet clear that it is the best method”

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