Master 12 natural English phrases native speakers use daily. Learn how to connect topics, show agreement, react to surprises, and gather thoughts fluently.
Mastering natural English phrases is the fastest way to transform your speaking from textbook-stiff to genuinely fluent. In this article, we cover 12 essential phrases that native speakers use every single day — phrases that connect topics smoothly, show you’re truly listening, react authentically to surprises, and buy you time to think without losing your flow.
Across 4 key conversation categories, the PhraseCamp host breaks down each phrase with real-life examples you can start using immediately. By the end of this article, you will have mastered 12 natural English phrases that cover every everyday situation you’ll encounter in social and professional settings.
Watch the Complete Video
Watch all 12 natural English phrases demonstrated in context. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more practical English conversation lessons!
How to use this video for maximum learning:
- First viewing: Watch without pausing to get the overall flow
- Second viewing: Pause after each phrase to repeat and practise
- Third viewing: Shadow-speak along for pronunciation and rhythm
- Fourth viewing: Focus on how each phrase changes the conversation tone
Timestamps:
- 0:00 — Introduction
- 0:37 — Topic 1: Connecting Topics (Phrases 1–3)
- 3:40 — Topic 2: Agreement & Understanding (Phrases 4–6)
- 6:06 — Topic 3: Surprise & Reaction (Phrases 7–9)
- 8:13 — Topic 4: Gathering Thoughts (Phrases 10–12)
- 10:07 — Review and Practice
- 12:15 — Conclusion
Table of Contents
- Watch the Complete Video
- Topic 1 — Connecting Topics: Conversations & Examples
- Key Phrases Lesson 1: Speaking of which / That reminds me / The thing is
- Topic 2 — Agreement & Understanding: Conversations & Examples
- Key Phrases Lesson 2: I see what you mean / That makes sense / I couldn’t agree more
- Topic 3 — Surprise & Reaction: Conversations & Examples
- Key Phrases Lesson 3: No way! / You’re kidding! / That’s crazy!
- Topic 4 — Gathering Thoughts: Conversations & Examples
- Key Phrases Lesson 4: Let me think about that / How should I put this / Well, the thing about that is
- Key Grammar Patterns
- Practice Exercises
- Knowledge Quiz
- Conclusion
Topic 1 — Connecting Topics: Conversations & Examples
These first three phrases act as bridges, helping you glide from one topic to the next without any awkward pauses. Native speakers rely on them constantly to keep conversations feeling natural and connected.
🎬 Video Timestamp: 0:37–3:40
Complete Dialogues: Connecting Topics
Phrase 1: “Speaking of which…”
Man: I just bought a new coffee maker.
Man: Speaking of which, do you want to come over for coffee tomorrow?
Woman 1: She’s studying in Paris.
Woman 1: Speaking of which, I’m planning a trip to France next summer.
Woman 2: This pizza is amazing!
Woman 2: Speaking of which, have you tried that new Italian restaurant downtown?
Phrase 2: “That reminds me…”
Woman: You’re wearing such a cool jacket.
Woman: That reminds me, I need to return those pants I bought last week.
Man: Oh, you have a dog?
Man: That reminds me, I saw this hilarious video of a golden retriever playing piano.
Woman: We’re having tacos tonight.
Woman: That reminds me, I still have your container from the last time you brought food.
Phrase 3: “The thing is…”
Man: I’d love to come to your party.
Man: The thing is, I already promised my mom I’d help her move that day.
Woman: Your idea sounds great.
Woman: The thing is, we might need to adjust the budget a bit.
Woman: I really want to join the gym.
Woman: The thing is, I’m not sure I can commit to it right now.
Key Phrases Analysis
- “Speaking of which…” — Creates a seamless bridge when something in the current conversation triggers a related thought. Use it to introduce your new topic without it feeling like a sudden change.
- “That reminds me…” — More personal than “Speaking of which.” It signals that the conversation has sparked a memory or thought. Great for keeping the energy of a chat going.
- “The thing is…” — Your gentle truth-teller. Use it when you need to share a complication, explain a constraint, or soften disappointing news without sounding blunt.
Key Phrases Lesson 1: Connecting Topics
Phrase 1: “Speaking of which…”
Used to smoothly link your current topic to a new but related one, just like building a bridge between two ideas.
- “I just bought a new coffee maker. Speaking of which, do you want to come over for coffee tomorrow?”
- “She’s studying in Paris. Speaking of which, I’m planning a trip to France next summer.”
- “This pizza is amazing! Speaking of which, have you tried that new Italian restaurant downtown?”
Phrase 2: “That reminds me…”
Signals that something in the conversation has sparked a personal memory or related thought. More personal and warm than “Speaking of which.”
- “You’re wearing such a cool jacket. That reminds me, I need to return those pants I bought last week.”
- “Oh, you have a dog? That reminds me, I saw this hilarious video of a golden retriever playing piano.”
- “We’re having tacos tonight. That reminds me, I still have your container from the last time you brought food.”
Phrase 3: “The thing is…”
A gentle, natural way to introduce an explanation, limitation, or complication. Softens news that might otherwise sound disappointing or blunt.
- “I’d love to come to your party. The thing is, I already promised my mom I’d help her move that day.”
- “Your idea sounds great. The thing is, we might need to adjust the budget a bit.”
- “I really want to join the gym. The thing is, I’m not sure I can commit to it right now.”
Topic 2 — Agreement & Understanding: Conversations & Examples
Showing that you’re truly listening and engaged is one of the most powerful conversation skills. These three phrases go beyond a simple “I agree” — they show empathy, understanding, and genuine engagement.
🎬 Video Timestamp: 3:40–6:06
Complete Dialogues: Agreement & Understanding
Phrase 4: “I see what you mean.”
Man: I think online shopping is better than going to stores.
Man: I see what you mean. It does save a lot of time.
Woman: I see what you mean about starting earlier.
Woman: The traffic gets pretty bad after eight.
Woman: You think we should wait until spring?
Man: I see what you mean. The weather would be much better then.
Phrase 5: “That makes sense.”
Woman: You’re taking an umbrella?
Woman: That makes sense. The forecast mentioned rain.
Man: Oh, you’re studying before the party?
Man: That makes sense. The exam is tomorrow.
Woman: Working from home on Mondays?
Woman: That makes sense. The traffic is always worse than on other days.
Phrase 6: “I couldn’t agree more.”
Man: This restaurant is amazing!
Woman: I couldn’t agree more, especially these desserts.
Woman: The new park makes the neighbourhood so much better.
Man: I couldn’t agree more.
Woman: These meetings could be shorter.
Man: I couldn’t agree more. We waste so much time.
Key Phrases Analysis
- “I see what you mean.” — Shows you’ve understood someone’s point and considered it carefully. Stronger than “I understand” because it demonstrates genuine reflection.
- “That makes sense.” — Validates someone’s logic or reasoning. Simple but powerful for showing you’ve followed their thinking.
- “I couldn’t agree more.” — Expresses strong agreement more naturally and enthusiastically than a plain “I agree.” Perfect for emphasis.
Key Phrases Lesson 2: Agreement & Understanding
Phrase 4: “I see what you mean.”
Shows you’ve genuinely considered the other person’s point. It expresses empathy without necessarily agreeing — a nuanced and mature response.
- “I see what you mean. It does save a lot of time.”
- “I see what you mean about starting earlier. The traffic gets pretty bad after eight.”
- “I see what you mean. The weather would be much better then.”
Phrase 5: “That makes sense.”
Your go-to for validating someone’s reasoning. Short, natural, and effective — it shows you’ve followed their logic.
- “That makes sense. The forecast mentioned rain.”
- “That makes sense. The exam is tomorrow.”
- “That makes sense. The traffic is always worse on Mondays.”
Phrase 6: “I couldn’t agree more.”
A powerful way to show strong agreement. Use it when you want to be emphatic without sounding over the top.
- “I couldn’t agree more, especially these desserts.”
- “I couldn’t agree more. The park transforms the whole neighbourhood.”
- “I couldn’t agree more. We waste so much time in these meetings.”
Topic 3 — Surprise & Reaction: Conversations & Examples
When something unexpected happens, your reaction tells the other person just as much as your words. These three phrases help you sound genuinely engaged, whether the news is exciting or shocking.
🎬 Video Timestamp: 6:06–8:13
Complete Dialogues: Surprise & Reaction
Phrase 7: “No way!”
Woman: I just got promoted!
Man: No way! That’s amazing!
Woman: We won tickets to the concert!
Woman: No way! When is it?
Man: I met Tom Cruise at the coffee shop.
Woman: No way! Did you get a picture?
Phrase 8: “You’re kidding!”
Man: I’m moving to Paris next month.
Woman: You’re kidding! When did you decide that?
Woman: The meeting got canceled.
Man: You’re kidding! I just finished the presentation!
Woman: They’re giving us an extra day off.
Woman: You’re kidding! That’s fantastic news!
Phrase 9: “That’s crazy!”
Woman: The flight was delayed by twelve hours.
Man: That’s crazy! What did you do?
Woman: My phone survived falling in the pool.
Man: That’s crazy! It still works?
Woman: We got three feet of snow overnight.
Man: That’s crazy! Is everything shut down?
Key Phrases Analysis
- “No way!” — A spontaneous, high-energy expression of surprise or disbelief. Much more natural than “Really?” and shows genuine excitement.
- “You’re kidding!” — Slightly more sophisticated than “No way!” Works for both positive and negative surprises, and invites the speaker to elaborate.
- “That’s crazy!” — Versatile and casual — perfect for anything unexpected or hard to believe. Shows you’re fully engaged in what you’re hearing.
Leonardo AI Image Prompt 5: A person with a genuinely surprised expression reacting to news from a friend, mouth open in disbelief, outdoor street setting, photorealistic, 16:9
Key Phrases Lesson 3: Surprise & Reaction
Phrase 7: “No way!”
A high-energy expression of surprise or disbelief. Use it when you hear something exciting or unexpected and want to react immediately.
- “No way! That’s amazing!” (after hearing about a promotion)
- “No way! When is it?” (after winning concert tickets)
- “No way! Did you get a picture?” (after meeting a celebrity)
Phrase 8: “You’re kidding!”
More sophisticated than “No way!” and equally effective for positive or negative surprises. It naturally invites the speaker to give more details.
- “You’re kidding! When did you decide that?” (for a big life change)
- “You’re kidding! I just finished the presentation!” (for a frustrating surprise)
- “You’re kidding! That’s fantastic news!” (for a welcome surprise)
Phrase 9: “That’s crazy!”
A casual, versatile phrase for anything hard to believe. Use it freely in friendly conversation — it shows you’re listening and genuinely reacting.
- “That’s crazy! What did you do?” (for a major inconvenience)
- “That’s crazy! It still works?” (for something unbelievable)
- “That’s crazy! Is everything shut down?” (for extreme weather)
Topic 4 — Gathering Thoughts: Conversations & Examples
Every speaker — native or not — needs time to think. These three phrases let you pause naturally, sound thoughtful, and avoid awkward silence while you gather the right words.
🎬 Video Timestamp: 8:13–10:07
Complete Dialogues: Gathering Thoughts
Phrase 10: “Let me think about that…”
Man: What should we do this weekend?
Woman: Let me think about that. We could try that new escape room.
Woman: Which option seems better?
Man: Let me think about that. Probably the second one.
Woman: When are you free next week?
Woman: Let me think about that. I should be free on Thursday.
Phrase 11: “How should I put this…”
Woman: How should I put this… The presentation needs quite a bit of work.
Man: How should I put this, your cooking has some room for improvement.
Phrase 12: “Well, the thing about that is…”
Man: Why don’t we go now?
Woman: Well, the thing about that is, we need to wait for Sarah to finish work.
Man: Can’t we just skip this step?
Woman: Well, the thing about that is, it’s crucial for quality control.
Man: Why is it so expensive?
Woman: Well, the thing about that is, it’s hand-made and uses premium materials.
Key Phrases Analysis
- “Let me think about that…” — Buys you a moment to consider your answer thoughtfully. Far better than silence, and signals that you take the question seriously.
- “How should I put this…” — Signals that you’re choosing your words carefully, especially for sensitive or delicate topics. It prepares the listener for honest but tactful feedback.
- “Well, the thing about that is…” — Gives you extra thinking time while sounding completely fluent. Perfect for explaining something complex or nuanced.
Key Phrases Lesson 4: Gathering Thoughts
Phrase 10: “Let me think about that…”
Gives you a natural pause to consider a question while showing the listener that you take it seriously. Use it freely — it sounds confident, not hesitant.
- “Let me think about that. We could try that new escape room.”
- “Let me think about that. Probably the second one.”
- “Let me think about that. I should be free on Thursday.”
Phrase 11: “How should I put this…”
Signals thoughtfulness when addressing something delicate or complicated. It prepares your listener for honest but carefully worded feedback.
- “How should I put this… The presentation needs quite a bit of work.”
- “How should I put this, your cooking has some room for improvement.”
Phrase 12: “Well, the thing about that is…”
Combines thinking time with a natural-sounding lead-in for complex explanations. Native speakers use this constantly without even noticing.
- “Well, the thing about that is, we need to wait for Sarah to finish work.”
- “Well, the thing about that is, it’s crucial for quality control.”
- “Well, the thing about that is, it’s hand-made and uses premium materials.”
Key Grammar Patterns
These four grammar patterns appear throughout all four conversations. Studying them will help you use the 12 phrases even more naturally.
1. Topic-Linking with Present Tense
Many connecting phrases use simple present tense to state a fact that bridges two topics:
- “Speaking of which, do you want to come over for coffee tomorrow?” — Simple present question used to open the related topic.
- “That reminds me, I still have your container.” — Present tense creates a direct, natural link to the memory.
2. Modals for Softening and Possibility
Phrases like “The thing is” are almost always followed by modals to soften the message:
- “The thing is, we might need to adjust the budget a bit.” — “Might” softens the impact of the complication.
- “The thing is, I’m not sure I can commit to it right now.” — “Can” used with “not sure” to express gentle uncertainty.
3. Tag Questions and Follow-Ups After Surprise Phrases
Surprise reactions are nearly always followed by a quick follow-up question to invite more detail:
- “No way! Did you get a picture?” — Exclamation followed immediately by past simple question.
- “That’s crazy! Is everything shut down?” — Exclamation followed by present continuous question.
- “You’re kidding! When did you decide that?” — Exclamation followed by a “when” question.
4. Thinking Phrases as Discourse Markers
Phrases used to buy thinking time function as discourse markers — they signal a thoughtful response is coming:
- “Let me think about that. Probably the second one.” — Pause phrase + direct answer.
- “Well, the thing about that is, it’s crucial for quality control.” — “Well” adds a natural spoken hesitation before the explanation.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Role-Play — Connecting Topics
Scenario: You and a classmate are chatting before class. Practice bridging topics naturally.
Your Role: Start a conversation about something in the classroom, then use all three connecting phrases to shift to a new topic each time.
Practice Points:
- Use “Speaking of which…” to link two related observations
- Use “That reminds me…” to introduce a personal anecdote
- Use “The thing is…” when you can’t do something your partner suggests
Exercise 2: Role-Play — Surprise Reactions
Scenario: Your partner shares news (good or bad) and you practise reacting authentically with the three surprise phrases.
Practice Points:
- Use “No way!” for exciting, positive news
- Use “You’re kidding!” when the news is hard to believe
- Use “That’s crazy!” for anything extreme or unexpected
- Always follow each phrase with a question to keep the conversation going
Video Shadow-Speaking Challenge
- Play the video at 0.75x speed for your first attempt
- Pause after each example phrase and repeat it out loud
- Focus on timestamps 0:37–3:40 (connecting) and 6:06–8:13 (surprise) for maximum practice
- Record yourself and compare your rhythm and intonation to the original
Knowledge Quiz
Test your understanding of the 12 natural English phrases:
Question 1: Which phrase would you use to gently introduce disappointing news?
- a) No way!
- b) I couldn’t agree more.
- c) The thing is…
- d) That reminds me…
Question 2: Which phrase is most appropriate for strong agreement?
- a) That’s crazy!
- b) I couldn’t agree more.
- c) Let me think about that.
- d) How should I put this…
Question 3: A friend says they got promoted. What is the most natural reaction?
- a) That makes sense.
- b) The thing is…
- c) No way! That’s amazing!
- d) I see what you mean.
Question 4: Which phrase signals you need time to choose your words carefully?
- a) Speaking of which…
- b) You’re kidding!
- c) That reminds me…
- d) How should I put this…
Question 5: Someone gives a logical reason for leaving early. What is the best response?
- a) No way!
- b) That makes sense.
- c) Speaking of which…
- d) That’s crazy!
Quiz Answers:
- c) The thing is…
- b) I couldn’t agree more.
- c) No way! That’s amazing!
- d) How should I put this…
- b) That makes sense.
How did you score?
- 5/5 — Excellent! You’re ready to use all 12 phrases naturally
- 3–4/5 — Good! Review the Key Phrases Lessons and try again
- 1–2/5 — Keep practising! Focus on the dialogues and shadow-speaking
Conclusion: Sound More Natural Starting Today
You’ve now mastered 12 natural English phrases that native speakers use every day — phrases that connect ideas, show genuine understanding, react authentically to news, and buy thinking time without breaking conversational flow.
The 12 Phrases You’ve Mastered:
Connecting Topics:
- “Speaking of which…” — bridge related topics seamlessly
- “That reminds me…” — introduce a personal thought sparked by the conversation
- “The thing is…” — soften a complication or disappointing news
Agreement & Understanding:
- “I see what you mean.” — show genuine reflection and empathy
- “That makes sense.” — validate someone’s reasoning
- “I couldn’t agree more.” — express strong agreement naturally
Surprise & Reaction:
- “No way!” — react to exciting or surprising news
- “You’re kidding!” — express disbelief for positive or negative surprises
- “That’s crazy!” — respond to anything unexpected or hard to believe
Gathering Thoughts:
- “Let me think about that…” — pause naturally while considering your answer
- “How should I put this…” — signal a thoughtful, careful response
- “Well, the thing about that is…” — buy thinking time for complex explanations
Your Next Steps:
- Watch the video: Play our YouTube video and shadow-speak all 12 phrases
- Choose two: Pick one phrase from Topic 1 and one from Topic 3 and use them in a conversation today
- Practice daily: Aim to use at least three of these phrases every day this week
- Download the worksheet: Consolidate your learning with the free practice exercises above
“Start with just one or two phrases and practice them until they feel comfortable. Then add more.” — PhraseCamp
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