Day-to-Day Life Activities for Adult English Learners
Daily Activities
Morning Routine
- Wake up and get out of bed
- Turn off the alarm clock
- Take a shower or bath
- Brush your teeth
- Wash your face
- Get dressed
- Comb or brush your hair
- Put on makeup (if applicable)
- Make breakfast
- Have/eat breakfast
- Drink coffee or tea
- Check your phone for messages
- Read the news online
- Pack your lunch
- Leave for work or school
During the Day
- Commute to work (by bus, train, car, or bike)
- Start work
- Check and answer emails
- Attend meetings
- Take a coffee break
- Have lunch
- Chat with colleagues or classmates
- Make phone calls
- Work on projects or assignments
- Use the computer
- Take notes
Evening Routine
- Finish work and head home
- Stop at the supermarket
- Pick up the kids (if applicable)
- Prepare dinner or cook a meal
- Set the table
- Have dinner with family or roommates
- Do the dishes or load the dishwasher
- Watch TV or stream shows
- Browse social media
- Read a book or magazine
- Take the dog for a walk
- Get ready for bed
- Set the alarm for tomorrow
- Go to bed
Weekly Activities
Household Tasks
- Do the laundry
- Iron clothes
- Vacuum the floors
- Mop the floors
- Clean the bathroom
- Change the bed sheets
- Take out the trash/rubbish
- Water the plants
- Organize and tidy up
- Do the grocery shopping
Personal Care & Wellness
- Go to the gym or exercise
- Attend a fitness class (yoga, pilates, etc.)
- Go for a run or jog
- Get a haircut
- Do your nails
- Go to the doctor or dentist (when needed)
Social & Leisure
- Meet friends for coffee or drinks
- Go to the cinema or movies
- Visit family members
- Go out for dinner at a restaurant
- Attend religious services
- Join a club or hobby group
- Play sports with friends
- Go shopping for clothes or other items
- Spend time on hobbies (painting, photography, gardening)
Work & Study Related
- Attend language classes or courses
- Study or review lessons
- Work on side projects
- Catch up on work tasks
- Prepare for presentations
Monthly Activities
Financial & Administrative
- Pay bills (electricity, water, internet, phone)
- Check your bank account
- Review your budget
- Pay rent or mortgage
- File important documents
- Update your calendar or planner
Health & Maintenance
- Schedule medical appointments
- Get a dental checkup
- Refill prescriptions
- Have a car service or maintenance check
- Replace household items (batteries, light bulbs, filters)
Social & Entertainment
- Celebrate birthdays or special occasions
- Attend weddings or parties
- Go to concerts or cultural events
- Plan a weekend trip or vacation
- Visit museums or exhibitions
- Try a new restaurant
Personal Development
- Set monthly goals
- Review your progress at work or school
- Update your CV or resume
- Learn something new online
- Organize photos or personal files
- Declutter and donate old items
Seasonal Activities (depending on the month)
- Shop for seasonal clothes
- Prepare your home for weather changes
- Plan holiday celebrations
- Send greeting cards
- Attend seasonal festivals or events
Useful Verbs for Talking About Routines
- do, make, have, take, get, go, come, leave, start, finish, prepare, clean, wash, buy, pay, attend, meet, visit, call, send, check, watch, read, listen, exercise, cook, eat, drink, sleep, wake up, get up
Time Expressions
Daily: every day, each morning, in the evening, at night, before work, after work
Weekly: once a week, twice a week, every Monday, on weekends, every few days
Monthly: once a month, at the beginning/end of the month, every month, monthly
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