The first 30 sentences for English beginners
Beginners start speaking much sooner with ready-made sentences than with single words. Thirty core sentences for meeting people, asking for things, and saying you don't understand.
By Aslıgül Aşkın,
A beginner starts speaking much sooner with a few ready-made sentences than by memorising single words. The 30 sentences below cover meeting people, asking for things, and saying you don't understand.
Meeting people (10 sentences)
- Hello.
- Good morning.
- My name is…
- What's your name?
- Nice to meet you.
- I'm from Turkey.
- Where are you from?
- I live in…
- I'm a student.
- I'm a teacher.
Asking for things (10 sentences)
- Can I have some water, please?
- How much is it?
- Where is the toilet?
- I'd like a coffee.
- Can you help me?
- What time is it?
- Is this free?
- Can I pay by card?
- A table for two, please.
- One ticket, please.
Keeping the conversation going (10 sentences)
- Sorry, I don't understand.
- Can you repeat that, please?
- Can you speak more slowly?
- What does … mean?
- How do you say … in English?
- I'm learning English.
- Just a moment.
- Yes, please.
- No, thank you.
- Thank you very much.
How to practise them
Choose five sentences each day and say them out loud. The next day, repeat those five and add five new ones. Within a week you will have used all thirty. Changing the sentences to fit your own life lasts longer than memorising them.
To keep going, see Am, is, are in English: how to use the verb to be and Polite English: asking, thanking, and apologising.
Frequently asked questions
Is it enough to memorise these sentences?
Memorising is a start, but adapting the sentences to your own life and using them aloud is what makes them last.
Should I say “Can I” or “Could I”?
Both are correct; “Could I…?” sounds a little more polite. For a beginner, “Can I…?” is understood everywhere.
Related posts
- Polite English: asking, thanking, and apologisingIn English, politeness mostly comes from small words like “please”, “could you”, and “thank you”. The most common phrases for asking, thanking, and apologising in daily life.
- Food in English: fruit, drinks, breakfast, and the kitchenFood words are used every day, which makes them one of the easiest topics for English practice. Fruit, drinks, breakfast, and kitchen words with example sentences.
- Rooms and things at home in EnglishHome vocabulary is easiest to learn by walking around the house and pointing at things. Rooms, furniture, and objects, plus a word-hunt game to play at home.