Commonly Used Expressions in American English

end up

I went from store to store trying to find something for her birthday. I ended up buying her a book.
If you work like that you're going to end up sick.
I took my car in for a simple oil change. It turned out it needed transmission fluid change. So I ended up paying a lot more than I thought I would.
You may want to get a smaller car, otherwise you are going to end up paying a fortune.

used to

That building over there used to be the phone company.
They used to serve ice cream at this restaurant.
I used to work here when I was a student.
Up until recently most people used to believe that smoking is good for you.
When I was a student I used to take the bus to school. Now I drive everywhere.
He used to be so polite when he was younger. He's become so rude !

to be used to / to get used to

I'm used to having a light breakfast in the morning.
The neighbor's children make a lot of noise. It used to bother me. But now I am used to it.
It will be hard in the beginning. But you will get used to it.
I need some time to get used to the new environment.

figure out, figure something out

I need to figure out which test I'm going to sign up for by the end of this week.
We need to figure out the other team's game strategy.
Can you help me figure out this math problem ? I can't figure it out.
I just bought this new stereo system, but I can't figure out how to set it up.

come across

If you came across any articles on the history of the English language let me know.
I have been looking through all these books but haven't come across anything interesting.

supposed to

Children are supposed to start talking at the age of 2.
You were supposed to call me when you got home.
How was I supposed to know where you were ?
I don't what happened to her. She was supposed to meet me at the library at 3 o'clock.

keep doing something/keep ... from doing something

If you want to get a good grade on the test, keep studying.
-Should I turn here ?
-No, keep going. Make a right at the (traffic) light.
I kept looking until I found it.
I'll turn the lights on so the kids can keep playing.
This noise is keeping me from doing my homework !
Put some of this paste on the balcony. It will keep the pigeons from nesting there.
Anti-freeze keeps the engine from freezing !

go about doing something

How would I go about getting a driver's license ?
You just have a different way of going about this than I do.

get the hang of something

These new bicycles are a bit hard to get the hang of.
You need to practice with this for a while before you get the hang of it.

run

I'm sorry, I have to leave now. I have an appointment and I'm running late.
Could you get some milk on your way home ? We're running low.
I've got to stop for gas. We're running out.
I need to run over to the drugstore and grab some aspirin.
Who left the car running ?!
You got a few minutes ? I wrote this report and I'd like to run it by you before
I give it to the manager.
Could you run those numbers by me one more time ?

drop by/off

I'll drop by your house tomorrow and get some of that home-made yogurt.
I'm going to make some dinner. A couple of friends are dropping by.
I asked our neighbor to drop the kids off at school tomorrow.
Would you mind dropping this off at the post office ?

hang out

What are doing this weekend ? Not much, just hanging out with some friends.
I don't want you to hang out with those kids !

good and bad time

How was the party ? Did you have a good time?
Oh, I had a great time !
When would be a good time for me to call you ?
(telephone)Hello ? Hi ! This is Mike. Is this a bad time ? Did I catch you at a bad time ?
Poor John ! He's having a really tough time with his teenage son.

on the way/in the way

Mr. Folwell just called to say that he's stuck in traffic but he's on his way.
We can pick you guys up on the way to the restaurant.
There's a flower shop on the way over to your place. We can get some flowers there.
All the kids out of the kitchen please ! I'm trying to work here and you're getting in the way !
Could you move this suitcase please ? It's in my way !
Hey kids ! Get out of the way or the ball will hit you !
He's a very nice person. If you ask him something he will go out of his way to do it for you.

shape

I've been exercising regularly. I think I'm in pretty good shape.
After getting lost in the woods for three days, he was in pretty bad shape.

mean to

I've been meaning to call you.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.

through

I'm sorry you had go through all this trouble.
Do you have any idea what I've been through the past few days ?
I dialed the number four times, but my call didn't get through.

around

If we can't resolve this problem today, we need to figure out a way to work around it.
I haven't gotten around to fixing my car yet.
Those cars have been around since the 1970's.
Those small DVD players haven't been around long.
Bob and Mary are taking off, but Mike and Joanne are going to stick around for a while.

to get a hold of

I called the office several times this morning but I wasn't able to get a hold of John.
Where were you ? I've been trying to get a hold of you for the past hour.

More examples:

Are you guys about to leave or are you going to stick around ?
I think I'm going to stick around a while longer.
The party was very boring. We were going to head out early, but we decided to stick around.

I decided to keep my old type-writer. It might come in handy some day.
Keep your high-school notes. They will come in handy later.

The science teacher handed out some examples.
She usually doesn't give any hand-outs.
Supplies were handed out to the flood victims.

I was up late last night trying to put together a plan for the meeting.
I would like to take a look at the basement if you don't mind.
I put together a list of all the customers. Could you take a look at it please ?
I would like to run this document by you one more time before I hand it over to the manager. Would you mind taking a look at it ?

Last time I rushed through the questions and I didn't do very well. This time I'm going to take my time.
I left my glasses at your house. I'll come by tomorrow and pick them up.

I'm sorry. I can't get a hold of Mr. Johnson. Please call back tomorrow.
Where have you been ? I've been trying to get a hold of you all day !

More Example American English Conversations

Cyrus the Great Suite (free mp3 download)

Arash the Archer Children's Novel

Merriam-Webster Online English Dictionary

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