In English, as in every language, there are some fixed expressions we use on particular social occasions, like when people meet or leave each other, when we go on a journey, go for a meal, when we give or ask for things, when we give thanks, etc.
Here are some of the most important.
1. Introductions
Common ways of introducing people are:
Tom, do you know my friend Mary?
Mary, this is my friend Tom.
Tom, I don't think you know George.
May I introduce George Mason.
Now, when people are introduced they say Hello or How do you do?
Please note that How do you do? is not a question that is answered. It doesn't mean How are you? It is for formal introductions only and the reply is How do you do? again.
In informal situations Hello / Hi / Nice to meet you are more common.
2. Greetings
Upon meeting:
Hello / Hi (informal)
Good morning/afternoon/evening. (More formal)
When leaving:
Good morning/afternoon/evening. (formal)
Goodbye
Bye (informal)
Bye-bye! (often used to and by children)
See you. (informal)
3. Asking politely about someone's health or general well-being
How are you? / How's it going? / How are things? Are the most common ways to ask somebody what's going on with them in general.
We usually reply: I'm well / fine, thanks you. And you?
*Of course nowadays, it is socially accepted to say: I'm good. But grammatically this is incorrect. Being good means that you are a good person, not in good health or generally well.*
Other informal replies are:
Not too bad.
OK / All right.
So-so.
(It) could be worse!
There are fixed greetings for special occasions, like birthdays and holidays.
Happy Birthday! or Many happy returns! (more formal)
Happy Nameday!
Happy / Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year / Easter!
4. Holidays, journeys and general wishes
When someone starts a holiday we usually say:
Have a good holiday!
When the holiday is over, (to be polite) we may ask:
Did you have a good holiday?
When we talk about journeys, common expressions are:
Have a good trip.
Have a good journey.
Safe travels.
Safe journey home.
And just as with a holiday, the same applies for a journey.
We may ask: Did you have a good journey / trip / flight?
We also generally wish people well on the day or for the week or weekend.
Have a nice day!
Have a nice week!
Have a nice / good / great weekend!
It goes without saying that we can replace nice with any word we like (good/great/wonderful/fantastic, etc.)
5. Meals
When sitting for a meal, we usually use the expression Bon Appetit! which, of course, is French! We can say Enjoy your meal, but it doesn't sound very appealing!
It is also polite to comment on the meal, especially when you are a guest at someone's home.
You may say something like:
This is very nice. / This is delicious! (during the meal)
That was lovely: thank you. (after the meal)
Some religious people say grace (a short prayer) before and after meals, usually to give thanks and gratitude to God for their food and health.
6. Invitations and suggestions
We usually voice invitations and suggestions by asking
Would you like to...?
How about going / watching / visiting / having...?
Replies are mostly:
Thank you. That would be nice.
That sounds like fun / a good idea / lovely.
Sorry, I'm afraid I'm not free.
It is normal to thank people for hospitality when leaving their house.
Thank you very much. That was a wonderful evening.
Everything was wonderful.
Thank you for a lovely evening.
7. Giving Things
When we give or offer things we usually say Here you are.
Sometimes we say Here you are when we want to make it clear that we are giving something.
For example:
"Have you got a pen I can use?"
"Yes, here you are."
"Thanks."
8. Asking for things
When we ask for things, we usually use yes/no questions.
Could I...? / Could you...? / Can I... ? /Can you..? / May I...? (formal)
For example:
"Could you lend me a pen, please?" (NOT Please lend me a pen.)
9. Giving Thanks
Very simply, when we give thanks, we say Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thanks. (informal)
Thanks a lot. (informal)
We can also reply to thanks by saying:
You're welcome.
Not at all!
That's (quite) all right.
That's OK. (informal)
No problem! (informal)
Don't mention it! (informal)
Do you use these expressions? If not, here's a good time to start. :)
I hope you all have a fantastic day and a wonderful week!!
:) :)
Here are some of the most important.
1. Introductions
Common ways of introducing people are:
Tom, do you know my friend Mary?
Mary, this is my friend Tom.
Tom, I don't think you know George.
May I introduce George Mason.
Now, when people are introduced they say Hello or How do you do?
Please note that How do you do? is not a question that is answered. It doesn't mean How are you? It is for formal introductions only and the reply is How do you do? again.
In informal situations Hello / Hi / Nice to meet you are more common.
Upon meeting:
Hello / Hi (informal)
Good morning/afternoon/evening. (More formal)
When leaving:
Good morning/afternoon/evening. (formal)
Goodbye
Bye (informal)
Bye-bye! (often used to and by children)
See you. (informal)
3. Asking politely about someone's health or general well-being
How are you? / How's it going? / How are things? Are the most common ways to ask somebody what's going on with them in general.
We usually reply: I'm well / fine, thanks you. And you?
*Of course nowadays, it is socially accepted to say: I'm good. But grammatically this is incorrect. Being good means that you are a good person, not in good health or generally well.*
Other informal replies are:
Not too bad.
OK / All right.
So-so.
(It) could be worse!
There are fixed greetings for special occasions, like birthdays and holidays.
Happy Birthday! or Many happy returns! (more formal)
Happy Nameday!
Happy / Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year / Easter!
4. Holidays, journeys and general wishes
When someone starts a holiday we usually say:
Have a good holiday!
When the holiday is over, (to be polite) we may ask:
Did you have a good holiday?
When we talk about journeys, common expressions are:
Have a good trip.
Have a good journey.
Safe travels.
Safe journey home.
And just as with a holiday, the same applies for a journey.
We may ask: Did you have a good journey / trip / flight?
We also generally wish people well on the day or for the week or weekend.
Have a nice day!
Have a nice week!
Have a nice / good / great weekend!
It goes without saying that we can replace nice with any word we like (good/great/wonderful/fantastic, etc.)
5. Meals
When sitting for a meal, we usually use the expression Bon Appetit! which, of course, is French! We can say Enjoy your meal, but it doesn't sound very appealing!
It is also polite to comment on the meal, especially when you are a guest at someone's home.
You may say something like:
This is very nice. / This is delicious! (during the meal)
That was lovely: thank you. (after the meal)
Some religious people say grace (a short prayer) before and after meals, usually to give thanks and gratitude to God for their food and health.
6. Invitations and suggestions
We usually voice invitations and suggestions by asking
Would you like to...?
How about going / watching / visiting / having...?
Replies are mostly:
Thank you. That would be nice.
That sounds like fun / a good idea / lovely.
Sorry, I'm afraid I'm not free.
It is normal to thank people for hospitality when leaving their house.
Thank you very much. That was a wonderful evening.
Everything was wonderful.
Thank you for a lovely evening.
7. Giving Things
When we give or offer things we usually say Here you are.
Sometimes we say Here you are when we want to make it clear that we are giving something.
For example:
"Have you got a pen I can use?"
"Yes, here you are."
"Thanks."
8. Asking for things
When we ask for things, we usually use yes/no questions.
Could I...? / Could you...? / Can I... ? /Can you..? / May I...? (formal)
For example:
"Could you lend me a pen, please?" (NOT Please lend me a pen.)
9. Giving Thanks
Very simply, when we give thanks, we say Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thanks. (informal)
Thanks a lot. (informal)
We can also reply to thanks by saying:
You're welcome.
Not at all!
That's (quite) all right.
That's OK. (informal)
No problem! (informal)
Don't mention it! (informal)
Do you use these expressions? If not, here's a good time to start. :)
I hope you all have a fantastic day and a wonderful week!!
:) :)
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