Upgrade Your Vocabulary

Discover better words and phrases to make your English more natural, varied and confident.

Upgrade your vocabulary with ESOLish
Other ways to say Good luck: Best of luck; fingers crossed; you have got this; I hope it goes well.
Other ways to say I do not understand: I am not sure I follow; could you explain that; I did not quite understand; could you say that again.
Other ways to say I do not know: I am not sure; I have no idea; I am not certain; let me find out.
Other ways to say I understand: I see; I get it; that makes sense; I understand what you mean.
Other ways to say I am angry: I am annoyed; I am frustrated; I am furious; I am fed up.
Other ways to say I am hungry: I am starving; I am really hungry; I could eat something; I could eat a horse.
Other ways to say I am scared: I am nervous; I am frightened; I am terrified; I am worried.
Other ways to say I am very busy: I am tied up; I have got a lot on; I am rushed off my feet; I am snowed under.
Other ways to say I am very happy: I am delighted; I am really pleased; I am thrilled; I am over the moon.
Other ways to say I am very sad: I am upset; I am feeling down; I am disappointed; I am a bit low.
Other ways to say I am very tired: I am exhausted; I am worn out; I am shattered; I need some rest.
Other ways to say Sorry: I apologise; my mistake; I am really sorry about that; please accept my apologies.
Other ways to say Thank you: Thanks a lot; I really appreciate it; that is very kind of you; cheers.
Other ways to say You are welcome: No problem; not at all; my pleasure; do not mention it.

Explore English vocabulary cards for adult ESOL learners. Learn other ways to say everyday phrases such as “good luck”, “thank you” and “I understand”, and express feelings with more confidence.

Upgrade your vocabulary: make time for English practice

First, choose an activity that interests you. You do not need to finish every resource in one session. Instead, focus on a few useful words or expressions and give yourself time to try them. Read the examples carefully and say them aloud when you feel ready.

Next, use a new word in a sentence about your own life. For example, talk about your daily routine, a place you know or something you enjoy. Keep the sentence simple so that its meaning is clear. You can also practise with a partner and compare your ideas.

Keep practising with Upgrade your vocabulary

Afterwards, return to the activity and notice what you remember. Write down any words you want to practise again. Short, regular practice can help you use new language with more confidence. Teachers can choose suitable resources for a lesson and give learners time to discuss their answers.

Finally, explore the related pages below for more listening, reading and vocabulary practice. Choose tasks that match your confidence and interests. If an activity feels difficult, start with a smaller part and build up gradually. The resources are free to use, so you can revisit them whenever you need a reminder.

Select a card to open the full-size image in a new tab. Read the alternatives, choose a phrase that suits your situation and practise using it in your own sentence.