Everyday Conversation — B1 Essential Words

actually /ˈæktʃuəli/ adverb B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: In fact; used to give true information, correct something gently, or add a surprising fact.

Example: I actually prefer tea to coffee.

Another example: Actually, the store closes at nine, not ten.

Collocations: actually, I think · actually prefer · actually it's

Synonyms: really, in fact, truly

Word family: actual (adj) · actually (adv)

⚠ Common mistake: Actually corrects gently — it is NOT 'currently' (a famous false friend for Spanish/French speakers: 'actual' ≠ current).

🗣 In spoken American English: It opens a million soft disagreements: 'Actually…' then the real fact.

Register: Neutral — conversation gold.

guess /ɡes/ verb / noun B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: To give an answer or opinion without being sure; to suppose something is true.

Example: I guess you're right.

Another example: Guess who called me today!

Collocations: I guess so · guess who · guess the answer

Synonyms: suppose, think, estimate

Antonyms: know, be certain

Word family: guesses (n pl) · guessing (n)

⚠ Common mistake: 'I guess' softens opinions in American speech — it can mean 'probably yes' with low energy. 'Guess what!' announces news.

🗣 In spoken American English: Teachers demand it in games; friends use it to launch stories.

Register: Neutral — conversation essential.

suppose /səˈpəʊz/ verb B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: To think something is probably true; to imagine a situation in order to discuss it.

Example: I suppose we should leave now.

Another example: Suppose it rains — what's the plan?

Collocations: I suppose so · suppose that · supposed to

Synonyms: guess, assume, imagine

Antonyms: know, prove

Word family: supposedly (adv) · supposition (n)

⚠ Common mistake: 'Be supposed to' is the hidden giant: what should happen by rule or plan ('The train is supposed to leave at six').

🗣 In spoken American English: 'I suppose so' is the least enthusiastic yes in English — hear the shrug.

Register: Neutral — conversation and rules.

matter /ˈmætər/ noun / verb B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: A subject or situation being dealt with; (verb) to be important.

Example: It doesn't matter which color you choose.

Another example: Health is a serious matter.

Collocations: doesn't matter · what's the matter · a matter of time

Synonyms: issue, subject, be important

Word family: matters (n pl)

⚠ Common mistake: 'It doesn't matter' forgives small choices. 'What's the matter?' asks what's wrong — kindness in a question.

🗣 In spoken American English: Americans shrug it daily: 'Doesn't matter to me.'

Register: Neutral — conversation essential.

joke /dʒəʊk/ noun / verb B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: Something said or done to make people laugh; to say things for fun, not seriously.

Example: He told a joke and everyone laughed.

Another example: I'm joking — don't be angry!

Collocations: tell a joke · a funny joke · just joking

Synonyms: gag, laugh, humor

Word family: jokes (n pl) · joker (n)

⚠ Common mistake: You TELL a joke (never 'say' or 'make' in US speech). 'Just joking' repairs jokes that landed wrong.

🗣 In spoken American English: Dad jokes are a national institution — terrible puns told with pride.

Register: Neutral — fun essential.

luck /lʌk/ noun B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: Good or bad fortune — things that happen by chance, not by skill or planning.

Example: Good luck on your exam tomorrow!

Another example: We had bad luck with the weather.

Collocations: good luck · bad luck · luck with

Synonyms: fortune, chance

Antonyms: skill, planning

Word family: lucky (adj) · luckily (adv) · unlucky (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Luck is uncountable: wish someone 'good luck' (never 'a good luck'). Lucky is the adjective people wear.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Good luck!' before tests, games, and first days — the universal send-off.

Register: Neutral — wishes essential.

stuff /stʌf/ noun B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: Things in general — objects, materials, or activities whose exact name you don't say or don't need.

Example: Move your stuff off the table.

Another example: We did fun stuff at the beach.

Collocations: my stuff · stuff like that · do stuff

Synonyms: things, belongings, material

Word family: stuff (uncountable)

⚠ Common mistake: Stuff is uncountable and casual: my stuff = my things. In formal writing, prefer 'things/materials'.

🗣 In spoken American English: The most useful vague word in spoken English — everyone says it, textbooks fear it.

Register: Informal — the spoken word for things.

opinion /əˈpɪnjən/ noun B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: What you think about something; your personal view or judgment.

Example: In my opinion, the second film is better.

Another example: Everyone has an opinion about the plan.

Collocations: in my opinion · opinion about · ask your opinion

Synonyms: view, belief, judgment

Antonyms: fact

Word family: opinions (n pl) · opinionated (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Opinion vs fact is the classroom contrast: opinions are views, facts are checkable. 'In my opinion' opens essays and debates.

🗣 In spoken American English: Talk shows run on them: 'Hot take' is opinion with extra spice.

Register: Neutral — discussion essential.

anyway /ˈeniweɪ/ adverb B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: Used to return to the main subject, end a side topic, or say something happens despite other things.

Example: Anyway, as I was saying, the trip was great.

Another example: It rained, but we went anyway.

Collocations: anyway, as I was saying · go anyway · thanks anyway

Synonyms: anyhow, besides, regardless

Word family: anyways (informal variant)

⚠ Common mistake: Anyway steers conversations back: 'Anyway…' closes side-stories. 'Anyways' is informal US speech; write 'anyway'.

🗣 In spoken American English: It's the reset button of storytelling — hear it in every long anecdote.

Register: Neutral/informal — conversation steering.

exactly /ɪɡˈzæktli/ adverb B1 Everyday Conversation

Meaning: Completely correct; in an exact and precise way.

Example: That's exactly what I meant!

Another example: The train left at exactly six.

Collocations: exactly right · not exactly · exactly what

Synonyms: precisely, absolutely, just

Antonyms: roughly, about

Word family: exact (adj) · exactness (n)

⚠ Common mistake: 'Exactly!' is the strongest agreement in conversation. 'Not exactly' politely softens a no.

🗣 In spoken American English: Debates turn on it: repeat the word and the room nods.

Register: Neutral — agreement essential.