Memorise These 13 English Phrases and Speak More Fluently!

Summary

Emma and Jack present 13 useful English expressions for telling stories, sharing memories, and describing how life has changed. The central lesson is that having a phrase ready can help speakers begin talking instead of pausing to search for an opening. Learners are encouraged to use the expressions in their own sentences, combine them, and keep speaking even if their sentences are not perfect.

The 13 phrases

1. “I still remember the first time I…” Use this to introduce a first-time experience that remains vivid in your memory. It can lead into a happy, funny, awkward, or exciting story. Example: “I still remember the first time I traveled alone.”

2. “Back then” / “Back in the day” Both refer to the past. “Back then” often points to a particular time, while “back in the day” is more conversational and often recalls what life used to be like. Example: “I didn’t have my own computer back then.”

3. “I didn’t know what to do at first.” Use this to describe being uncertain when facing a new situation. It often sets up what happened next or how the problem was solved. Example: “When I started my new job, I didn’t know what to do at first.”

4. “I remember when we…” / “I remember us …-ing” Use these forms to recall activities or routines shared with other people. The memory may invite someone else to add their recollection. Example: “I remember when we visited our grandparents every Sunday.”

5. “I’ll never forget the time…” Use this for a particularly memorable event. It can introduce a serious, funny, strange, or ordinary incident that stayed with you. Example: “I’ll never forget the time I got lost in a shopping mall.”

6. “I haven’t done that in a long time.” Use this when you have not participated in an activity recently. It can refer to activities, places, or people. Example: “I haven’t played guitar in a long time.”

7. “Looking back, I realize…” / “Looking back, I realized…” Use this to explain what you understand now after reflecting on a past experience. It helps you share a lesson or changed perspective. Example: “Looking back, I realized I worried too much about making mistakes.”

8. “It seems like it was yesterday.” Use this when something happened a long time ago but still feels recent because the memory is clear. It is not meant literally. Example: “It seems like it was yesterday that I started college.”

9. “I never thought this would happen.” Use this to react to an unexpected event or change, whether surprising, funny, or welcome. Example: “My friend, who used to dislike sports, ran a marathon. I never thought this would happen.”

10. “These days” / “Nowadays” Use these expressions to talk about present habits or conditions, often in contrast with the past. Example: “I used to go to bed late. These days, I go to bed much earlier.”

11. “I don’t do that as much as I used to.” Use this when you still do something, but less often than before. This differs from saying you do not do it anymore, which means you have stopped completely. Example: “I still watch TV, but not as much as I used to.”

12. “Believe it or not…” Put this before information that may surprise someone or seem hard to believe. It can make a listener curious. Example: “Believe it or not, my grandfather learned to swim at 70.”

13. “Times have changed.” Use this to observe that life is different from how it was in the past. Depending on the context, the speaker may be pleased about the change or nostalgic for the past. Example: “People used to take cameras on vacation; now many take photos with their phones. Times have changed.”

Practice and broader lessons

• Start with a phrase you already know rather than waiting for the perfect opening.
• Practise finishing sentence starters aloud, such as “I still remember the first time…” and “Looking back, I realized…”
• Use phrases together to build a fuller thought. For example, combine a memory with a reflection, or compare “back then” with “these days.”
• Fluency develops through using the English you know. Practise, keep speaking, and don’t be afraid of mistakes.

Speakers and sources featured

• Emma — English teacher and presenter who explains the expressions and gives examples.
• Jack — Co-presenter and learner who practises the phrases through personal examples and dialogue.
• Talk Emma — The channel hosting the lesson.