English: At the Doctor

Level: B1. A visit to the doctor follows the same shape in English everywhere: you say what is wrong, the doctor asks questions and examines you, then gives you advice and maybe some medicine. This lesson gives you the symptom words and the fixed phrases so you can explain a problem clearly and understand what you are told.

By the end of this page you can…

…describe common symptoms, say how long you have had them, understand simple advice, and follow a short conversation with a doctor or nurse.

Saying what is wrong

There are two main patterns, and strong learners use both. For a named condition, use I have a …: I have a headache, I have a cold, I have a sore throat. For a body part that hurts, use My … hurts or My … aches: My back hurts, my knee aches.

A third pattern describes how you feel in general with I feel …: I feel sick, I feel dizzy, I feel weak. Note that in British English feel sick means you want to vomit; I feel ill or I feel unwell is the general word for not healthy.

• I have a bad cough.
• My stomach hurts.
• I feel dizzy when I stand up.

Common symptoms

Here are the symptom words you will use most. Learn them as whole phrases.

Saying how long: for and since

The doctor will ask How long have you had this? You answer with the present perfect and one of two small words. Use for with a length of time and since with a starting point.

• I have had a cough for three days. (a length)
• I have had a cough since Monday. (a start point)

Understanding advice

After examining you, the doctor gives a diagnosis (what is wrong) and advice. Advice usually comes in three shapes:

• You should … — the main advice verb: You should rest and drink plenty of water.
• You need to … — stronger, closer to a must: You need to take this twice a day.
• Take / Avoid … — direct instructions: Take one tablet after meals. Avoid cold drinks.

If you need medicine, the doctor writes a prescription, which you take to a pharmacy (or chemist’s in British English). If you need time off, ask for a sick note (a doctor’s note).

Where to go

Match the problem to the place. For everyday illness you see a GP (general practitioner) at a clinic or surgery — book an appointment first. For a serious, sudden problem you go to A&E (accident and emergency, British) or the emergency room / ER (American), or call the local emergency number.

A short conversation

Doctor: Good morning. What seems to be the problem? Patient: I have a bad sore throat and a temperature. Doctor: I see. How long have you had this? Patient: For about three days. I also feel very tired. Doctor: Let me have a look. … It’s a throat infection. You should rest and drink plenty of fluids. I’ll write you a prescription for antibiotics. Patient: Thank you. Should I take time off work? Doctor: Yes, a few days. I’ll give you a sick note.

Example sentences

Play each line and say it aloud. These are the exact phrases you will use at a doctor’s visit.

Quick recap before you practise.

Usage notes

• hurt vs ache vs pain: hurt is the everyday verb (my arm hurts); ache is a dull, lasting pain (my muscles ache); pain is the noun (I have a pain in my chest).
• medicine vs medication: both are fine; medicine is the everyday word, medication is a little more formal.
• chemist’s / pharmacy / drugstore: British chemist’s, international pharmacy, American drugstore — all the same place.
• sick: BrE vs AmE: in British English I feel sick usually means nausea; in American English sick just means ill. If in doubt, say I feel unwell or I feel nauseous to be clear.

Practice

How to say it

A few health words trip up English learners — copy the audio, not the spelling.

• ache sounds like “ayk” — the ch is a hard k, never “atch”.
• cough sounds like “kof” — the gh is an f sound here.
• sore rhymes with “more”: “sor”, one syllable.
• nauseous is tricky; many say “NAW-shus” or “NAW-zee-us” — both are accepted.

Quiz

Recap cheat-sheet

Next

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