# 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.

Author: Aslıgül Aşkın · Published: 2026-10-01
Page address: https://grammardots.com/en/blog/first-30-english-sentences-for-beginners

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](https://grammardots.com/en/blog/verb-to-be-am-is-are) and [Polite English: asking, thanking, and apologising](https://grammardots.com/en/blog/polite-english-phrases).

## 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.