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Back to Speak English With Vanessa

Work & Business

15 Phrases for Confident English

Download the free PDF worksheet for this lesson here: https://speakenglishwithvanessa.kit.com/ef4487480a

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa presents fifteen short expressions that help English speakers participate more confidently in everyday conversation. She explains that confidence is not only about the main information in a sentence: small responses can show that you are listening, responding thoughtfully, disagreeing respectfully, offering help, or keeping a discussion moving. The lesson gives each phrase a situation and a model, often using examples from family life, planning, and supporting a friend. Learners can practice these as useful conversational moves rather than memorizing them as interchangeable “confidence” phrases.

Several expressions acknowledge what another person has said. “I hear you” recognizes a point before adding a different idea, while “that makes sense” shows that the reasoning is understandable. “Fair enough” accepts someone’s explanation or preference. “I appreciate that” expresses gratitude for a specific action, and “that’s a great point” recognizes a useful contribution. “I get where you’re coming from” is a casual way to connect with someone’s perspective or feelings; here, where you’re coming from means a point of view, not a physical location. These phrases can make a conversation feel attentive when the response is sincere.

Other expressions help speakers take action or manage a conversation. “Let me tell you” adds emphasis before an experience or opinion. “Let’s get to it” moves from discussion to starting a task. “I’ll look into it” offers to investigate something, but it does not promise a particular result. “How can I help?” offers practical support. “Keep me in the loop” asks to receive relevant updates. “Let’s talk about it later” sets a boundary or postpones a topic; giving a time to return to it helps prevent the phrase from sounding evasive.

The lesson also covers ways to express opinions and disagreement. “I beg to differ” is a confident, somewhat formal way to disagree and can sound sharp if delivered bluntly. “What do you think about…?” invites another person’s opinion; Vanessa notes that “of” also works naturally before a noun. “I couldn’t agree more” strongly signals complete agreement. Learners can choose one phrase for each conversational purpose—acknowledging, thanking, suggesting, disagreeing, helping, or asking for an update—and practice it in a short exchange. Tone and timing matter: the same words can sound supportive, impatient, or dismissive depending on how they are delivered.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English15:38

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introducing small phrases that help a speaker engage confidently

Are you ready to speak confidently in English? Well, I have some good news. Today, you are going to learn 15 important English phrases for confident English speakers. Hi, I'm Vanessa from SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com. And like always, I have created a free PDF worksheet with all 15 of these

Try it: Choose one confident conversational phrase from this section and use it in a realistic two-line exchange.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

15 phrases

Showing 15 of 15 phrases

I hear you

Introducing small phrases that help a speaker engage confidently · expression

Acknowledge that you have listened to and understand someone’s point, even if you are about to offer another view.

Tone and use: Calm, conversational, and validating. Use it before responding to a concern or gently presenting a different perspective.

May not fit: With a sharp tone or immediate “but,” it can sound dismissive; show that you genuinely considered the point.

Example“I hear you, but could we compare the costs before deciding?”

let me tell you

Acknowledging another person and sharing a view · expression

An emphatic way to introduce something you want the listener to notice or take seriously.

Tone and use: Animated and persuasive; often adds emphasis. Use it before a strong opinion, recommendation, or personal experience.

May not fit: It can sound forceful if overused or delivered impatiently.

Example“Let me tell you, that was the best concert I have ever seen.”

fair enough

Acknowledging another person and sharing a view · expression

Acknowledge that someone’s reason or decision is understandable or acceptable.

Tone and use: Casual and accepting; context and intonation affect warmth. Use it as a short response when you accept someone’s explanation or preference.

May not fit: It can sound reluctant or dismissive in a flat tone; add a next step if the conversation should continue.

Example“You need to leave early? Fair enough—we can meet another day.”

that makes sense

Acknowledging another person and sharing a view · expression

Show that another person’s explanation or reasoning is understandable.

Tone and use: Neutral, supportive, and common. Use it after hearing the reason behind a choice or situation.

May not fit: It acknowledges the reasoning; it does not necessarily mean you agree with every conclusion.

Example“That makes sense; the trains are less crowded before eight.”

I appreciate that

Responding with understanding and appreciation · expression

Express gratitude for a specific action, offer, or consideration.

Tone and use: Warm and polite; slightly more deliberate than “thanks.” Use it before a clause or after an offer: “I appreciate that you…”

May not fit: It can sound formal in very casual exchanges; “thanks” may feel more natural among close friends.

Example“I appreciate that you checked the schedule for me.”

let's get to it

Responding with understanding and appreciation · expression

Move from planning or discussion to beginning the task.

Tone and use: Direct, upbeat, and practical. Use it to signal that it is time to start an activity or get down to work.

May not fit: It can feel abrupt if people are not ready or still need to discuss something important.

Example“We have the supplies, so let’s get to it and paint the room.”

I beg to differ

Responding with understanding and appreciation · expression

Politely but firmly state that you have a different opinion.

Tone and use: Confident and somewhat formal; can sound playful or confrontational depending on delivery. Use it before briefly explaining a disagreement.

May not fit: It is stronger than a neutral “I see it differently”; avoid it when a gentle, collaborative tone is important.

Example“I beg to differ—the earlier train is usually less crowded.”

what do you think

Moving a shared plan toward action · expression

Invite another person to share an opinion or reaction.

Tone and use: Open and conversational. Use “What do you think about + noun/gerund?” or “What do you think of + noun?”

May not fit: It is a genuine invitation only if you leave room for the other person’s answer.

Example“What do you think about taking the coastal route?”

I couldn't agree more

Disagreeing and inviting another perspective · expression

Say that you agree completely with someone.

Tone and use: Enthusiastic and emphatic. Use it to strongly affirm a statement or opinion.

May not fit: It is an emphatic response, not a mild or uncertain agreement.

Example““A short walk helps me reset.” “I couldn’t agree more.””

that's a great point

Disagreeing and inviting another perspective · expression

Recognize that someone has raised a useful or relevant idea.

Tone and use: Positive, attentive, and collaborative. Use it to acknowledge a contribution before responding or deciding what to do next.

May not fit: It signals that the idea is worth considering, but does not by itself promise to follow it.

Example“That’s a great point—we should check the return policy too.”

I'll look into it

Disagreeing and inviting another perspective · expression

Promise to investigate or find out more about a question or problem.

Tone and use: Helpful and responsible; commonly used at work and in daily life. Use it when you will check information and report back or take a next step.

May not fit: Do not imply you have solved the problem already; follow through with what you learn.

Example“I’ll look into the cheaper flight options and message you tonight.”

how can I help

Agreeing strongly and recognizing a useful idea · expression

Offer to support someone by asking what assistance would be useful.

Tone and use: Caring, direct, and practical. Use it when someone seems busy, stressed, or in need of support.

May not fit: If you can only help in specific ways, offer realistic options rather than an open-ended promise.

Example“You have a lot to carry—how can I help?”

I get where you're coming from

Offering to investigate or help · expression

Show that you understand the perspective or feelings behind someone’s position.

Tone and use: Casual, empathetic, and connecting. Use it before reflecting the person’s concern or gently adding another perspective.

May not fit: It refers to a point of view, not the place someone came from; do not use it to claim understanding without listening.

Example“I get where you’re coming from; changing teams halfway through the project is stressful.”

let's talk about it later

Showing empathy and setting a conversational boundary · expression

Pause or postpone a discussion until a later time.

Tone and use: Polite but firm; sets a boundary. Use it when now is not a good time and name a time to return to the topic if possible.

May not fit: Without a follow-up, it can sound like you are avoiding the conversation.

Example“Let’s talk about it later, after I finish this call.”

keep me in the loop

Showing empathy and setting a conversational boundary · expression

Ask someone to continue sharing relevant updates with you.

Tone and use: Conversational and common in work and personal planning. Use it when plans or decisions may change and you need to stay informed.

May not fit: It does not mean you want every detail; specify important updates if needed.

Example“Keep me in the loop if the meeting time changes.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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Use it in a sentence · “I hear you”

A coworker explains why the deadline feels difficult. You understand, but want to suggest another plan. What is a considerate opening?