For many non-Britons (or non-"Brits"), that is not an uncommon question. The problem is that people cannot always differentiate between the terms "English" and "British". I will admit that sporting events do not always help matters, with England (and the other "Home Nations", as they are known) competing as individual nations in sports such as football and darts, but Great Britain competing in the Olympics.
The term British Isles describes a group of over 6,000 islands, including the two main islands of Ireland, and Great Britain. Great Britain consists of the nations England, Scotland, and Wales. Please note, Scotland and Wales are NOT a part of England!
The island of Ireland consists of The Republic of Ireland (or Eire), and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is itself a sovereign state, although prior to 1922, it was a part of Great Britain.
Together with the nations of Great Britain, Northern Ireland forms the sovereign state of "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Okay, you can simply call it The United Kingdom, Great Britain, or simply Britain! In addition, there are three Crown dependencies: the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The Isle of Man is situated in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland, while Jersey and Guernsey are both in the Channel Islands.
While the individual British nations are not sovereign states themselves, they are known as "countries within a country", which is why they are allowed to compete individually in sporting events. Each nation also has its own flag, but more about that at a later date!
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