Learn basic English phrases to talk about you and your family. In the previous lessons, we learned that how to say hello and how to introduce yourself, also we learned that how to give basic information like; nationality, your name, your age, spelling corrections, letters pronunciation, and much more.
In this section, we will talk about that how you can about yourself and your family in English. After learning these essential phrases you’ll be able to talk in English about you and your family. Let’s learn these phrases and enhance your English speaking and conversation skills.
How to Talk About You and Your Family
Here are some essential words and phrases to talk about you and your family.
Talking About You
Here is some vocabulary to talk about your status.
Status
- I am married.
- I have a husband. (I am married to a man.)
- I have a (I am married to a woman.)
- I am (I will get married soon)
- I am (no husband / no wife)
- I have a (there is an important person in my life, but maybe we aren’t married)
- I have a (a girl / woman “important” friend, but we aren’t married)
- I have a (a boy / man “important” friend, but we aren’t married)
- I am (I was married, but not now)
- I am (I don’t live with my husband / wife, and perhaps we will get divorced soon)
- I am (My husband / wife is dead.)
Talking about the People in Your Family
Here are some words to talk about your relatives.
Family
Mother
My mother’s name … (is Sandra). name = the name of my
mother)
Father
My father’s name … (is Robert).
Sister
My sister’s name … (is Sarah).
Brother
My brother’s name … (is David).
An only Child
I don’t have brothers or sisters.
Child / Children
I have one child. / I have two children.
(child / children = boy or girl)
Son
My son’s name is Richard.
Daughter
My daughter’s name is Rebecca.
My father has a sister. His sister’s name is Maria.
My mother has a sister. Her sister’s name is Eve.
Maria is my —————-
Eve is my —————-
My father has a brother. His brother’s name is Henry.
My mother has a brother. Her brother’s name is William.
Henry is my uncle and William is my
The parents of my father and my mother are my
The father of my father (and the father of my mother) is my
The mother of my father (and the mother of my mother) is my
My son is the grandson of my parents.
My daughter is the granddaughter of my parents.
The children of my aunt and the children of my uncle are my
The son of my brother (or my sister) is my
The daughter of my brother (or my sister) is my
Example Conversations
Families
A: Tell me about yourself.
B: Well, I’m married with a son. What about you?
A: I’m single!
A: Tell me about your family.
B: Well, I’ve got one brother and one sister.
A: Lucky you! I’m an only child.
A: Have you got a big family?
B: Yes, and we’re very close. What about you?
A: I’m from a small family.
A: How many brothers and sisters have you got?
B: One sister and one brother. How about you?
A: I’m an only child, but I’ve got lots of cousins.
Speaking Tip
When you answer someone’s question, say “What about you?”, “How about you?” or even “And you?” to say the same question to them. It shows interest and keeps the conversation going.
Grammar Notes – ‘s For Possession
We can use ‘s to talk about our possessions or our relationships.
Example:
- “Julia’s daughter is Anna.” (= the daughter of Julia is Anna)
- “Tony’s wife is French.” (= the wife of Tony is French)
- “Julian’s children are young.” ( = the children of Julian are young)
- “Julian and Barbara’s children are in the car.” ( = the children of Julian and Barbara are in the car)
- “David’s house is big.” (= the house belonging to David is big)
Notes
1. We can’t use ‘s with objects – only with people
- “The roof of the house is new.” (Not “the house’s roof ”)
2. The ‘s goes at the end of the person’s name. When there are two people, the ‘s goes after the second person.
- “Sarah’s house” , and John’s house”.
3. When the person’s name ends -s, put the ‘s after the name
- “James’s house”
Can you complete the sentences?
Family vocabulary
Carly and Bill are married with two children – Sarah (a girl) and Alfie (a boy).
1. Carly is Sarah and Alfie’s ____________
2. Alfie is Bill’s ______________
3. Sarah is Carly and Bill’s ____________
4. Alfie is also Carly’s ______________
5. Bill is Sarah and Alfie’s ______________
6. Sarah is Alfie’s ______________
7. Carly is Bill’s ______________
8. Bill is Carly’s ______________
9. Carly and Bill are Sarah and Alfie’s ______________
Carly has got a sister (Jen) and Bill has got a brother (Brian).
10. Brian is Sarah and Alfie’s __
11. Jen is Sarah and Alfie’s __
Jen has got one child (Tom).
12. Tom is Sarah and Alfie’s __
13. Tom is Carly’s __
14. Sarah is Jen’s __
15. Have you got any brothers or sisters?
No, I’m an __
‘s For Possession
1. The car belongs to Lucy. It’s ________ car.
2. The book belongs to David. It’s ________ car.
3. John and Sue are the children of Rachel. They’re ____________
4. The mother is Rachel and the father is Charles. John and Sue are Rachel and __________ children.
5. The __________ parents are Rachel and Charles.
Answers
Family vocabulary
Carly and Bill are married with two children – Sarah (a girl) and Alfie (a boy).
1. Carly is Sarah and Alfie’s mother
2. Alfie is Bill’s son
3. Sarah is Carly and Bill’s daughter
4. Alfie is also Carly’s son
5. Bill is Sarah and Alfie’s father
6. Sarah is Alfie’s sister
7. Carly is Bill’s wife
8. Bill is Carly’s husband
9. Carly and Bill are Sarah and Alfie’s parents
Carly has got a sister (Jen) and Bill has got a brother (Brian).
10. Brian is Sarah and Alfie’s uncle
11. Jen is Sarah and Alfie’s aunt
Jen has got one child (Tom).
12. Tom is Sarah and Alfie’s cousin
13. Tom is Carly’s nephew
14. Sarah is Jen’s niece
15. Have you got any brothers or sisters?
No, I’m an only child
‘s For Possession
1. The car belongs to Lucy. It’s Lucy’s car.
2. The book belongs to David. It’s David’s car.
3. John and Sue are the children of Rachel. They’re Rachel’s children
4. The mother is Rachel and the father is Charles. John and Sue are Rachel and Charles’s children.
5. The children’s parents are Rachel and Charles.
You May Also Need to Learn:
- Phrases to Say hello, and How To Introduce Yourself
- How to Give Basic Information about Yourself in English
