Spoken English · Articles · October 21, 2026 · 7 min read

English conversation between two friends: 8 short dialogues with useful phrases

Below are eight short English conversations between two friends, written the way people actually talk: contractions, short replies, reactions like No way! and Sounds good. Each dialogue covers a common situation (meeting after a long time, making plans, exam stress, a movie, a trip, cancelling plans, giving advice, a birthday) and ends with notes on the most useful phrases. Read them out loud with a friend, swap roles, then change the details to match your own life.

1. Meeting after a long time

Ankit: Riya! Long time no see! How have you been?
Riya: Ankit! I’m good, thanks. Busy, but good. What about you?
Ankit: Not bad. I finally finished my internship last month.
Riya: Oh nice, congrats! How was it?
Ankit: Tough at first, but I learned a lot. So what have you been up to?
Riya: I started a new job in Gurgaon. The commute is killing me, though.
Ankit: Ha, I can imagine. We should catch up properly sometime.
Riya: Definitely. Let’s grab coffee this weekend?
Ankit: I’d love that. I’ll text you.

• Long time no see: a friendly greeting after months or years.
• What have you been up to? = What have you been doing lately?
• The commute is killing me: informal exaggeration, “it’s exhausting”.
• catch up: talk about everything that has happened.

2. Making weekend plans

Sam: Hey, are you free on Saturday?
Meera: I think so. Why, what’s the plan?
Sam: A few of us are going to that new food festival near the stadium.
Meera: Oh, I’ve heard about it! What time?
Sam: Around five. We’ll eat, walk around, maybe stay for the music.
Meera: Sounds good. I’m in. Should I bring anything?
Sam: Just bring cash. Some stalls don’t take cards.
Meera: Got it. Shall we meet at the metro station?
Sam: Perfect. Gate 2, quarter to five.

• What’s the plan? asks for details.
• I’m in: I’ll join.
• Got it: I understand.
• quarter to five: 4:45.

3. Talking about exams

Kabir: You look stressed. Everything okay?
Aisha: Not really. The maths exam is on Monday and I’m so behind.
Kabir: Which chapters are left?
Aisha: Integration and probability. Basically, the hard ones.
Kabir: I’m okay with probability. Want to study together tomorrow?
Aisha: Seriously? That would be a lifesaver.
Kabir: No problem. You can explain integration to me in return.
Aisha: Deal. Library at ten?
Kabir: See you there. And try to get some sleep tonight.

• I’m so behind: I haven’t done enough work.
• a lifesaver: something that helps a lot.
• in return: as an exchange.
• Deal. = I agree.

4. Discussing a movie

Nikhil: Did you see the new Marvel movie?
Tanvi: Yeah, I watched it on Friday. Did you?
Nikhil: Not yet. Is it worth it?
Tanvi: Honestly, it was okay. The action scenes were amazing, but the story was a bit predictable.
Nikhil: Hmm. I’ve heard the ending is great, though.
Tanvi: The ending is the best part, I’ll give you that. No spoilers!
Nikhil: Okay, maybe I’ll watch it this weekend.
Tanvi: Watch it in a theatre, not on your phone. The sound makes a big difference.

• Is it worth it? Is it good enough to spend time or money on?
• predictable: you can guess what happens.
• I’ll give you that: I agree with that point.
• No spoilers! Don’t tell what happens.

5. Planning a trip

Rohan: So, are we really doing Goa in December?
Divya: I’m up for it if we book now. Prices go crazy around New Year.
Rohan: True. Train or flight?
Divya: Train is cheaper, but it takes forever.
Rohan: Let’s compare. If the flight is only a bit more, I’d rather fly.
Divya: Fair enough. And where do we stay?
Rohan: A hostel in North Goa? They’re cheap and you meet people.
Divya: Works for me. Let’s book everything by Sunday.
Rohan: Okay, I’ll make a list of options tonight.

• I’m up for it: I’m happy to do it.
• takes forever: takes a very long time.
• I’d rather fly: I prefer flying.
• Works for me: That’s fine with me.

6. Cancelling plans

Zoya: Hey, I’m so sorry, but I can’t make it tonight.
Arjun: Oh no, what happened?
Zoya: My manager asked me to finish a report by tomorrow morning. I’ll be stuck at the office.
Arjun: That’s annoying. Don’t worry about it, though.
Zoya: I feel bad. You booked the table and everything.
Arjun: It’s fine, really. I’ll move it to next week.
Zoya: You’re the best. Dinner’s on me next time.
Arjun: I’m holding you to that!

• I can’t make it: I can’t come.
• I’ll be stuck at…: I can’t leave.
• Dinner’s on me: I’ll pay.
• I’m holding you to that: I’ll remind you of your promise (friendly).

7. Giving advice

Pooja: Can I ask you something? I need some advice.
Vikram: Sure, what’s up?
Pooja: I got two job offers. One pays more, the other is closer to home and the team seems really nice.
Vikram: How much more does the first one pay?
Pooja: About fifteen percent more, but it’s a two-hour commute.
Vikram: Hmm. If I were you, I’d think about how you’d feel after six months of that commute.
Pooja: That’s exactly what I’m worried about.
Vikram: Then maybe the closer one. You could also try asking them to match the salary.
Pooja: I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks, that really helps.

• What’s up? What’s the matter?
• If I were you, I’d…: the classic structure for advice.
• match the salary: offer the same amount.
• I hadn’t thought of that: a natural way to accept advice.

8. A birthday

Ishaan: Happy birthday! I can’t believe you’re twenty-one already.
Nisha: Thank you! Don’t remind me, I feel old.
Ishaan: Come on, you’re still a baby. Any plans for today?
Nisha: Just dinner with family, and then a few friends are coming over.
Ishaan: Nice. I got you something small. Here.
Nisha: Oh, you didn’t have to! Can I open it now?
Ishaan: Go ahead.
Nisha: A book by my favourite author! How did you know?
Ishaan: You only talk about her every single day.

• You didn’t have to! a polite, warm reaction to a gift.
• coming over: visiting your home.
• Go ahead. = You can do it.

Phrases friends use all the time

Common mistakes in casual conversations

• Answering What’s up? with I’m fine. It works, but Not much, you? is the usual reply.
• Too formal with friends. I would like to inform you that I cannot come sounds like an email. Say Sorry, I can’t make it.
• Short replies with no question back. Fine. ends the conversation. Fine, thanks. How about you? keeps it going.
• Literal translations. I am coming in five minutes means you are on your way; I’ll be there in five minutes is clearer.

How to practise these dialogues

1. Read each dialogue out loud, once per role.
2. Change the details: a different trip, a different exam, your own friend’s name.
3. Close the text and act out the situation from memory, using your own words.
4. Practise with a partner who answers unpredictably.

The fourth step is where real speaking happens. In the Meeting people conversation on Nomto, Nomi plays a new friend at a get-together, asks questions back, and after every line shows a corrected and more natural version of what you said. Need more ready lines? See daily use English sentences, and for ideas on what to talk about next, English conversation topics.

FAQ

How can I practise English conversation if I have no friends who speak English?

Act out both roles yourself, join an online speaking club, or practise with an AI conversation partner. The important thing is to speak out loud and get feedback.

Are these dialogues British or American English?

They use neutral international English that is understood everywhere. A few words differ (theatre / theater), but the conversation style is the same.

Should I memorise these conversations?

Memorise the phrases, not the whole dialogues. Real conversations never go exactly as written, so you need flexible pieces, not a script.

How long should a conversation with a friend be?

As long as it is natural. Even a two-minute chat is good practice if you ask questions and react to the answers.

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