How to Speak English Like An American

Brendan Smith 21 October 2011

Part 1: How to Sound Like An American

American English Essentials

Saying Hello
Hey Whats up?
Answer: Whats up; Not Much; Nothing;

How are you? Whats goin on? Whats happenin? Hi Hello

American English Essentials

Saying Goodbye
See ya later See ya See ya in a bit/this afternoon/tomorrow/tonight Talk to you later Catch you later Bye Bye-Bye Have a nice day/afternoon/evening/night Have a nice weekend

American English Essentials

Meeting People for the First Time
Nice to meet you It was really nice to meet you Hello/How are you/Have a nice day/etc.

Seeing People That You Already Know

Hey/Whats up/whats going on/whats happening See ya later/Catch ya later/Talk to ya later

American English Essentials

Saying Please/Thank You/Excuse Me
Please Thanks is more common than Thank you Excuse Me Sorry Youre Welcome

American English Essentials

Using the Bathroom
Say Excuse Me/Sorry Ill be right back I need to use the bathroom I have to use the bathroom

American English Essentials

Restaurant/Caf/Bar Situations
Note: You can always say please!!! Can I have a double cheeseburger with fries? Can I get 5 Bud Lights? Can I try the French chicken sandwich? Let me get 3 Cokes. Let me have the steak tartar with broccoli. 3 Cokes. I want a large chicken parmesan sandwich. I would like 2 slices of pepperoni pizza. I would like to order 7 burritos.

American English Essentials

Store/Market/Shopping Situations
Note: You can always say please!!!
Asking a store clerk at the check-out
Can I get a pack of Marlboro cigarettes? Can I have a pack of gum? A pack of cherry gum.

Do you have? Do you have any? Can I try? Can I try on? (clothing)