Do you understand advanced English when you hear it, but still use the same simple words and phrases when you speak?
You may recognise an expression immediately when somebody else uses it, but using it naturally in your own conversation can be much harder.
In this lesson, you’ll learn 10 advanced English expressions for daily conversation. Harry explains what each expression means and shows you how to use it in natural English. Some of these expressions are also useful at work, especially in meetings, project updates and conversations with colleagues.
Watch the video lesson
Watch Harry explain the expressions and listen to how they sound in natural spoken English. You can also use the written lesson below to review the meanings and examples.
Advanced English Expressions For Daily Use
1. Take something/somebody for granted
Meaning: to assume that something or someone will always be there
Examples- We shouldn’t take it for granted that the government will always be there to help us when there are problems with fuel costs.
- It’s easy to take your parents for granted.
2. Having said that
Meaning: you are going to say something which will disagree with what you said a moment ago
Examples- I think we need to get ready for a really difficult time over the next few months. Having said that, the sales in the year to date have been really good.
- We might have to do some overtime. Having said that, I would like to remind you that we’re not going to ask you to cancel the holidays.
3. Have something in mind
Meaning: it’s a suggestion that we want to make, it’s an idea we want to raise or introduce
Examples- Have you something in mind? Have you got something to suggest?
- That’ll be a great idea. Do you have something in mind?
4. On the point of
Meaning: just about to do something
Examples- Well, I was just on the point of wrapping up for the day and leaving. But if it’s quick, yes, certainly come in, and we’ll have a talk.
- Ah, I was just on the point of calling you. You got to me first. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.
Test your meeting English
You know the English, but what happens when you have to use it quickly in a meeting? Try 8 common meeting situations and see what you would say.
Test your meeting English →5. Keep an eye on
Meaning: to watch someone or something
Examples- Can you keep an eye on the soup in case it boils over?
- Can you keep an eye on the kids? They are out in the garden.
- We should keep an eye on the weather. We might need to think of something indoors.
6. By no means
Meaning: we use it to emphasise a negative statement
Examples- It is by no means certain that the team is going to survive this year.
- It is by no means certain that I’ll get that promotion.
- It is by no means certain that we’ll get through this winter without any problems.
7. Turn out to be
Meaning: to develop in a particular way in the end
Examples- Things can turn out to be a little different than we expected.
- The weather has turned out to be great. We don’t even need those heavy jackets.
- That meal has turned out to be wonderful. It was really tasty.
- It’s turned out to be really good. Those colours really go well together.
8. Contrary to popular belief
Meaning: going against what many people think
Examples- Contrary to popular belief, our Prime Minister is actually quite a hard-working individual.
- Contrary to popular belief, the manager of the football team has really made a difference.
- Contrary to popular belief, I actually can cook pretty well.
9. Taken aback
Meaning: we are surprised in a negative way
Examples- I was really taken aback by the company announcement that they were going to cut over 1,000 jobs.
- I was taken aback by their reaction, everybody was so negative.
- I was taken aback by the view of the city. It was really dark, dull, depressing, and poor.
10. Keep in touch
Meaning: to stay in contact with someone
Examples- Please keep in touch, and let me know how things are going.
- I’ll keep in touch with you when things develop.
10 Advanced English Expressions: Quick Review
Okay, so there are 10 well-used well-known daily expressions, and they’re at that advanced level. So you can try and practice them, drop them into your conversations, and see how you get on. Make sure you understand them.
Let me give them to you one more time, advanced English expressions for daily use:
- take something for granted
- having said that
- have something in mind
- on the point of...
- keep an eye on...
- by no means
- turn out to be
- contrary to popular belief
- be taken aback
- keep in touch
Don’t try to use all 10 expressions at once. Choose two or three that fit conversations you actually have. Say them aloud and try to use them a few times this week. Once they feel natural, come back and choose another two or three.
How to Use These Expressions in Business English
Several expressions from this lesson are very useful at work. They can help you discuss ideas, react to news, talk about results and sound less repetitive in meetings and everyday workplace conversations.
Here are some of the expressions from the lesson in typical Business English situations.
Having said thatAdd a different point
The initial feedback has been positive. Having said that, we still need to look at the cost before we make a final decision.
Use this when you want to add a different point without completely rejecting what you have just said.
Have something in mindAsk about an idea
Do you have something in mind for the next stage of the project?
This is useful when somebody suggests making a change but has not explained exactly what they want to do.
Keep an eye onMonitor something
We’ll need to keep an eye on costs over the next few weeks.
You can use this for budgets, deadlines, performance, customer feedback or anything that needs to be watched closely.
Turn out to beTalk about the final result
The new system turned out to be much easier to use than we expected.
Use this when the final result was different from what you originally expected.
Taken abackReact to unexpected news
I was a little taken aback by the client’s response.
This gives you another way to describe surprise when something unexpected happens at work.
Keep in touchMaintain a professional connection
It was good to meet you today. Let’s keep in touch.
You can use this after a meeting, conference, interview or introduction when you want to stay in contact.
More formal Business English
By no means and contrary to popular belief can also be useful in presentations and more formal discussions. You are less likely to need them in a quick everyday conversation with a colleague.
If meetings are where you find it hardest to use the English you already know, see English Phrases for Meetings: Speak Up at Work.
Know what you want to say, but struggle to say it quickly in meetings?
Speak Up in Meetings gives you practical English for joining discussions, asking for clarification, buying time, giving your opinion, disagreeing carefully and checking what happens next.
Get Speak Up in MeetingsSpeak Better English with Harry Podcast: Episode 408
Keep Practising Your English
Knowing an expression and being able to use it when you speak are two different things.
Choose two or three expressions from this lesson and use them in conversations this week. If you use English at work, choose the ones that fit your meetings, project updates and conversations with colleagues.
The more often you use the same useful expression, the easier it becomes to reach for it when you need it.
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