Everyday situations
What to say at the doctor's in English
B1
Making an appointment, describing your symptoms, understanding the prescription: the phrases you need to make yourself clear at the doctor's.
Quick answer
A visit to the doctor is a situation where being unclear can be serious: one wrong word, and you may get the wrong antibiotic, or your allergy may be missed. The structure is always the same: why you came → how long you have had the symptoms → how bad they are → your medical history → your allergies. Two common word traps: pain and ache are not used in the same way (I have a headache, but I have stomach pain). And I'm sick does not mean exactly the same in the UK and the US. In the UK, health care (the NHS) is free but can be slow. In the US, it is fast but expensive: always ask about the cost before you see a doctor.
Step by step
Each step follows a typical conversation. Lines marked “or” are other possible answers, depending on the situation.
1. Making an appointment
By phone or online. Say why you need to come, how urgent it is and when you are free.
- You
Hello, I'd like to book an appointment with Dr. Smith, please.
Formal - Other person
Is it urgent or routine?
- You
It's quite urgent, I've had a high fever for two days.
- Other person
We have a slot tomorrow at 2:30 PM. Would that work?
- You
Yes, that's fine, thank you.
orSorry, I can't make 2:30. Do you have any availability this week?
→ Another possible answer: the time does not suit you. - Other person
Are you already registered with the practice?
UK - You
No, I'd like to register as a new patient.
FormalUK→ In the UK, you must register with a practice (a GP surgery) before you can see a doctor there.
2. At reception
Give your name, your insurance and why you are here. Bring your ID card, or your passport if you are a tourist.
- You
I have an appointment with Dr. Smith at 2:30.
- Other person
Could you fill in this form, please? And do you have your insurance card?
- You
I'm a tourist, do you accept European insurance?
→ In the UK, show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). - Other person
Yes, we do. Please give me your card.
- You
How much will the consultation cost?
→ Always ask this in the US. - Other person
It's $150 for a standard visit.
USorIt's free under the NHS, there's nothing to pay.
UK - Other person
Please take a seat in the waiting room.
3. Describing your symptoms
The doctor almost always asks: What brings you in today? Where does it hurt? Since when? Anything else?
- Other person
What brings you in today?
- You
I have a sore throat and a high fever.
→ I have a sore + body part means that this part hurts.orMy stomach hurts.
→ My X hurts is the most natural way to talk about pain.orI have a headache and I feel dizzy.
- Other person
Can you describe the pain?
- You
It's a sharp / dull / throbbing pain.
- Other person
On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain?
- You
I'd say a 7, it's hard to sleep.
- Other person
How long have you had these symptoms?
- You
I've had this for about three days.
→ Present Perfect (I've had): something that started in the past and is still going on.
4. Medical history and allergies
This helps to avoid the wrong prescription. Always mention every allergy, even small ones.
- Other person
Do you have any allergies?
- You
Yes, I'm allergic to penicillin.
→ I'm allergic to + noun (not I have an allergy of).orNo, I don't have any allergies.
- Other person
Are you on any medication?
- You
I take blood pressure medication daily.
orNo, I'm not taking anything at the moment.
- Other person
Do you have any chronic conditions?
- You
I have asthma and I'm diabetic.
- Other person
Have you had any surgery in the past?
- You
Yes, I had my appendix out two years ago.
orNo, never.
- Other person
Is there any family history of heart disease?
- You
No, not that I know of.
5. Examination, diagnosis and prescription
The doctor examines you, says what is wrong and prescribes medicine. Key words: prescription, dosage, side effects.
- Other person
I'm going to listen to your lungs. Could you take a deep breath?
- You
Like this?
- Other person
Yes, and out. Now open your mouth and say 'aaaah'.
- Other person
It looks like a throat infection. I'll prescribe you antibiotics.
- You
How should I take them?
- Other person
Take one tablet three times a day, after meals, for seven days.
- You
What are the side effects?
- Other person
Drowsiness and mild stomach upset. Avoid alcohol while on this medication.
- You
Could you write that down, please?
Formal→ A useful habit, so that you don't forget anything. - Other person
Of course. Come back if it doesn't improve in three days.
Useful vocabulary
Parts of the body that hurt
- head : headachepain in your head
- throat : sore throatpain when you swallow
- stomach : stomachachepain in your belly
- back : backachepain in your back
- ear : earachepain inside your ear
- tooth : toothachepain in one of your teeth
- eyeswhat you see with
- chestthe top front part of your body
Symptoms
- fever / temperaturea higher body heat than normal
- coughair pushed noisily out of your throat
- runny noseliquid coming out of your nose
- sneezingair bursting suddenly out of your nose
- dizzinessthe feeling that the room is spinning
- nausea / to feel sickthe feeling that you might vomit
- rashred spots on the skin
- swellinga part of the body getting bigger
Places for care
- GP / family doctor(UK)the doctor you see first
- primary care physician (PCP)(US)the doctor you see first
- specialista doctor for one part of the body
- hospitala big building for sick people
- A&E (Accident & Emergency)(UK)hospital department for emergencies
- ER (Emergency Room)(US)hospital department for emergencies
- pharmacy / chemista shop that sells medicine
- waiting roomwhere you sit before your appointment
Treatments and medicine
- prescriptiona doctor's note for medicine
- tablet / pilla small solid medicine you swallow
- antibioticsmedicines that kill bacteria
- painkillersmedicines that stop pain
- dosagehow much medicine to take and when
- side effectsunwanted effects of a medicine
- check-upa general examination of your health
- sick note / doctor's notea paper saying you were ill
UK vs US: what changes
| You want to say… | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| First person you see when you are ill | GP (General Practitioner) | PCP / family doctor |
| Hospital department for urgent care | A&E (Accident & Emergency) | ER (Emergency Room) |
| Shop that sells medicine | Chemist / chemist's | Drugstore / pharmacy |
| Number to call for help | 999 (or 112) | 911 |
| How health care is paid for | NHS (free, sometimes slow) | Insurance-based (expensive without insurance) |
| Paper saying you were too ill to work | Sick note / fit note | Doctor's note |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I have an headache ❌
Headache starts with a pronounced h sound, so it takes a, not an. ✓ I have a headache. ✗ I have an headache. The same goes for a sore throat, a fever and a cold.
2. I'm sick or I'm sick of?
I'm sick means you are ill (more common in the US; in the UK, people often say I'm ill). BUT I'm sick of + noun or verb-ing means you are tired of something and want it to stop. ✓ I'm sick (I'm ill). ✓ I'm sick of this job (I've had enough of it). And in the UK, I was sick often means you vomited, so be careful.
3. I have fever ❌
In British and American English, fever usually takes a. ✓ I have a fever. ✓ I have a temperature (very common in the UK). ✗ I have fever. To give the number: I have a temperature of 38. In the US, temperatures are in Fahrenheit (101°F ≈ 38°C). It is often easier to say how you feel: I'm running a fever / I feel hot.
4. I have an allergy of ❌
The preposition is to, not of. ✓ I'm allergic to penicillin or I have an allergy to penicillin. ✗ I have an allergy of. The adjective allergic to sounds more natural.
5. Drugs ❌ at the doctor's (ambiguous)
Drugs can mean medicines or illegal drugs. The doctor will ask Are you taking any medication? (medicines) or Do you use any recreational drugs? (illegal drugs). To talk about your medicines, say medication or pills/tablets, not drugs on its own.
Practice quiz
Related pages: At the doctor's
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Frequently asked questions
How do you tell a doctor what hurts in English?+
Three phrases. 1) My + body part + hurts: My back hurts. 2) I have a + body part + -ache: a headache, a stomachache, a toothache, a backache, an earache. 3) I have a sore + body part: a sore throat, a sore neck. To say how long, use the Present Perfect + for: I've had this for three days.
How do you make a doctor's appointment in English?+
Say I'd like to book an appointment with Dr + name + , please (or make an appointment). The receptionist will ask Is it urgent or routine?, Have you been here before? and What's the issue? Prepare a short sentence about why you need to come: I've had a sore throat for three days.
How do you describe pain to a doctor in English?+
Four main adjectives: sharp (sudden and strong), dull (low and steady), throbbing (it beats like your pulse) and burning (it feels hot). Doctors also use a scale from 1 to 10: On a scale of 1 to 10, the pain is a 7. Add what the pain stops you from doing: It's hard to sleep / to walk / to concentrate.
What is the difference between A&E and ER?+
They are the same thing in two countries. A&E means Accident & Emergency (UK): it is part of the NHS and free. ER means Emergency Room (US): you pay if you have no insurance. The emergency number is different too: 999 or 112 in the UK, 911 in the US.
How do you say you have an allergy in English?+
Say I'm allergic to + substance. Always use to (not of, not with). Another way: I have an allergy to + substance. Mention it before the doctor prescribes anything, and tell waiters in restaurants too. For a serious allergy: I have a severe allergy to + substance. I carry an EpiPen (an injection pen for emergencies).
How do you read a prescription in English?+
Look for six key things. 1) The name of the medicine. 2) The dosage (for example, 500 mg). 3) How often: twice a day, every 8 hours. 4) When: after meals, before bed. 5) How long: for 7 days. 6) The total quantity (qty). Always ask What are the side effects?, What should I avoid? and What if I miss a dose?
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/situations/at-the-doctors
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.