Social Greetings in English For ESL Students

Social Greetings in English For ESL Students Greetings are used to say hello in English. Its common to use different greetings depending on whether you greet a friend, family or a business associate. When you meet friends, use informal greetings. If its really important, use formal greetings. Formal greetings are also used with people you do not know very well. Greetings also depend on whether you are saying hello, or you are saying goodbye. Learn the correct phrases using the notes below, and then practice using greetings with the practice dialogues.   Formal Greetings: Arriving Good morning / afternoon / evening.Hello (name), how are you?Good day Sir / Madam (very formal) Respond to a formal greeting with another formal greeting. Good morning Mr. Smith.Hello Ms. Anderson. How are you today? Informal Greetings: Arriving Hi / HelloHow are you?How are you doing?Whats up? (very informal) Its important to note that the question How are you? or Whats up? doesnt necessarily need a response. If you do respond, these phrases are generally expected: How are you? / How are you doing? Very well, thank you. And you? (formal)Fine / Great (informal) Whats up?   Not much.Im just (watching TV, hanging out, cooking dinner, etc.) Informal Greetings After a Long Time If you havent seen a friend or family member for a long time, use one these informal greetings to mark the occasion. Its great to see you!How have you been?  Long time, no see.  How are you doing these days? Formal Greetings: Departing Use these greetings when you say goodbye at the end of the day. These greetings are appropriate for work and other formal situations.   Good morning / afternoon / evening.It was a pleasure seeing you.Goodbye.Goodnight. (Note: Use after 8 p.m.) Informal Greetings: Departing Use these greetings when saying goodbye in an informal situation.   Nice seeing you!Goodbye / ByeSee you laterLater (very informal) Here are some short example conversations for you to practice greetings in English. Find a partner to practice and take a role. Next, switch roles. Finally, make up your own conversations. Greetings in Informal Conversations: Practice Dialogue Anna:  Tom, whats up?Tom:  Hi Anna. Nothing much. Im just hanging out. Whats up with you?Anna:  Its a good day. Im feeling fine.Tom:  How is your sister?Anna:  Oh, fine. Not much has changed.Tom:  Well, I have to go. Nice seeing you!Anna:  Later! *** Maria:  Oh, hello Chris. How are you doing?Chris:  Im well. Thanks for asking. How are you?Maria:  I cant complain. Life is treating me well.Chris:  Thats good to hear.Maria:  Good to see you again. I need to go to my doctors appointment.Chris:  Nice seeing you.Maria:  See you later.   Greetings in Formal Conversations: Practice Dialogue John:  Good morning.Alan:  Good morning. How are you?John:  Im very well thank you. And you?Alan:  Im fine. Thank you for asking.John:  Do you have a meeting this morning?Alan:  Yes, I do. Do you have a meeting as well?John:  Yes. Well. It was a pleasure seeing you.Alan:  Goodbye.   Notes Greeting someone when you are introduced.   Once you have been  introduced  to someone, the next time you see that person it is important to greet them. We also greet people as we leave people. In English (as in all languages), there are different ways to greet people in formal and informal situations. Introduction (first) Greeting:  How do you do? The question How do you do is only a formality. In other words, the question does not need to be answered. Rather, it is a standard phrase used when meeting some for the first time. Tom: Peter, Id like to introduce you to Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith this is Peter Thompson.  Peter: How do you do?Mr. Smith: How do you do? Use these phrases to say that you are happy to meet someone when introduced for the first time.   Its a pleasure to meet you.Its nice to meet you. Greetings after an  Introduction:  How are you?   Once you have met someone, its common to use standard greetings such as Good Morning, How are you? and Hello. Jackson: Hi Tom. How are you?Peter: Fine, and you?  Jackson: Im great.