At 1200 level, you don't need to know much theory at all, so I wouldn't be frightened to play 1.e4 because you are worried that your opponent knows it better; at your level, there is a good chance that your opponent will not know what to do early on anyway.

Here are some easy to play variations which should help you "start out" with 1.e4:

Against the Sicilian, 2.c3 (the Alapin): 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cd4 5.Nf3 or 2...d5 3.ed5 Qd5 4.d4, which leads to open positions, but can be played either tactically or positionally (I think this would suit you). 

Against 1...e5, the Scotch (2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 ed4 4.Nd4) is easy to learn and play, while you can meet the Petroff with 5.Nc3 (2...Nf6 3.Ne5 d6 4.Nf3 Ne4 5.Nc3 Nc3 6.dc3 followed by Be3/Bf4, Qd2, 0-0-0 with fairly simple plans of attacking on the kingside for White).

The French can be countered by 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3, with the idea that in the main line 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.d4 c5 6.dc5 Nc6 7.Bf4 Bc5 8.Bd3, White has active piece play in all variations. Note that 8...0-0? loses to 9.Bh7!.

Against the Caro-Kann, I would recommend the Panov-Botvinnik Attack (1...c6 2.d4 d5 3.ed5 cd5 4.c4), which often leads to IQPs, which you would be used to obtaining if you play the Alapin Sicilian as White.

The Pirc can be met by 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.f3!? (with the idea of c4; this variation is usually more strategic than tactical), while the Modern (1...g6 2.d4 Bg7) can be met by 3.c4. You would need to have a system against the King's Indian in that case, but if you play the Samisch (3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.f3 0-0 6.Be3), you should be fine. 

Other moves are not a serious problem; the Alekhine can be met by 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.ed6, which is again fairly easy to play for White. Finally, 1...Nc6 should be met by 2.Nf3, since 2...e5 will transpose back to 1...e5. 

I don't think you would need to know any more theory than this to play 1.e4 at your level. Hopefully this repertoire helps!

ok, i'll try e4 but i'll keep playing c4 until e4 develops, and yes, i have met all of those english replies but none have given me as much trouble as the bb4

Thank you for all your helpful replies.

So in summary, i should only do the knight menouver in closed positions as it won't matter about the tempo as much. Regarding the Bb4, I can play Qc2 or simply avoid it with g3 and Bg2.

To address those who suggest me to get a new opening, i thank for suggesting this, and yes, i am not very good (1200 elo) but i haven't ever played e4 and i like the positional games that come out of c4. also, with e4, i have to worry about many openings such as the sicilian when with the english i don't have to worry about that as much as the games are abit more quiet than the sicilian

You ask a lot of questions - probably more than enough for one thread!

I do not wish to discourage you from asking questions here (this is, after all, a forum), but it sounds like you would benefit greatly from having a chess coach, who will be able to give beneficial answers to your questions. 

If you really hate ...Bb4 ideas, then I have to ask: Why are you playing the English? 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 is a common variation, and 2...Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3/e3 4...Bb4 is one of the main lines. 

Still, you do not have to give up the English completely - but if you play 1.Nf3 followed by 2.c4, I think you'll find the sorts of positions that you don't like occuring much less frequently in your games. Even if your opponent tries to play the Nimzo-English with 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6, you can still play 3.g3 to foil Black's plans. 

Hope this helps! In any case, a chess coach could give you more detailed and probably more beneficial answers.

I've been playing the english for a while now and I have come accross some moves that I just can't stand. 1.c4 e4 2.Nc3 Bb4 i hate getting doubled pawns even if they aren't much of a weakness and im not a attacker so i don't like Nd5. I have the choice of Qc2 but it isn't played much, i can also play g3 right off the bat, what do u think about those options? I also hate it when my position falls because of a strong center, how can i find a balance to develop a good position without falling behind in attacking chances?

Finally, but last problem, during the game, sometimes i try and weave my knight on f3 to d5 for a killer outpost and more power on d5 however many players have told me that it might not be a good idea as i have to use up alot of tempo and sometimes my opponent can keep my knight on a unfavorable square for a long time. I try to go Ne1, Nc2, Ne3, and then Nd5 throughout the game and command d5 but this poses many problems, is this playable? how can i play this without losing? what are alternative plans instead of doing this and how can i continue to attack the queenside? is Qb3 good?