Phrases Native Speakers Use Everyday - Part 1

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]Right, here we go. Number one, well.

[00:00:03]Well.

[00:00:05]We use this for thinking time, but also sometimes to soften an answer.

[00:00:11]Imagine the situation.

[00:00:13]Your wife, you're preparing to go out to a party. Your wife puts on a new dress.

[00:00:19]And she says, "Do you like my new dress?"

[00:00:23]And you say, "Well, oh, I need thinking time.

[00:00:30]What am I going to say?

[00:00:32]Be honest? Be diplomatic? Yeah, it looks great."

[00:00:37]And she says, "You don't like it, do you?"

[00:00:40]>> [laughter] >> You can't win. I know.

[00:00:44]Or you might say, "Well, um I'm not sure.

[00:00:51]Maybe something more casual for this party?"

[00:00:56]So, here it's more about softening the answer.