4 phrases · A2 · B1

Describing things and people in English

Every phrase below is a fixed shape you can fill in and use immediately, ordered from the simplest to the most advanced. Each one carries what it means in English and in Hindi, three examples that vary the slot, and the situations it actually gets said in.

The phrases

Simplest first. The braces mark the part you change.

  • It looks like {CLAUSE}

    A2

    Say what the evidence suggests, without claiming certainty.

    ऐसा लगता है कि ___।

    • It looks like it will rain.
    • It looks like we are early.
    • It looks like the file is missing.

    Anywhere · say it as: It looks like / it will rain · used at work, travelling

  • It's a bit too {ADJ}

    A2

    Say something is more than you want — gently.

    यह थोड़ा ज़्यादा ___ है।

    • It's a bit too expensive for me.
    • It's a bit too far to walk.
    • It's a bit too early to say.

    Polite — strangers, seniors, customers · say it as: It's a bit too / expensive for me · used shops and services, at work

  • The thing about {NOUN} is {CLAUSE}

    B1

    Single out the one thing that really matters about something.

    ___ के बारे में ख़ास बात यह है कि ___।

    • The thing about this job is the travel.
    • The thing about mornings is that nobody replies.
    • The thing about the plan is the cost.

    With friends · say it as: The thing about this job / is the travel · used at work, everyday life

  • One of the things I like about {NOUN} is {CLAUSE}

    B1

    Pick out one specific good thing, instead of saying "it is nice".

    ___ में मुझे जो एक बात अच्छी लगती है, वह है ___।

    • One of the things I like about this job is that no two days are the same.
    • One of the things I like about Indore is the food.
    • One of the things I like about the team is how quickly people reply.

    Anywhere · say it as: One of the things I like about / this job / is that no two days are the same · used interviews, everyday life

What goes wrong

The versions that get said instead, and why they land differently.

Commonly saidCorrect English

It looks like as if it will rain.

It looks like it will rain.

Choose one: "looks like" or "looks as if". Not both.

Where you will need these

The same phrases, sorted by the room you are standing in.

More phrase groups on the phrases index, or browse by situation on the speaking pages.

Reading it is not the same as saying it.

A phrase you have read is not a phrase you can reach for. CoCap makes you produce it, in a conversation, and corrects what comes out.

Practise these out loud →

CoCap · Free English practice for India · About · Contact