Introductions - meeting for the first time
'Have you two met? Chris this is Jan.' |
'How do you do?' |
'How do you do?' |
Formal greetings
Good morning. |
Good afternoon. |
Good evening. |
Informal greetings
Hi. | Bye. |
Hello. | Goodbye. |
See you. | |
Good night. |
Asking about health
'Hello, How are you?' | 'Very well thank you. And you?' |
'Fine, thank you.' | |
'Not too bad'. |
Introducing yourself
'Hi, I'm Beth.' | 'Nice to meet you Beth, I'm Claire.' |
'My name is Keith, what's yours?' | 'Hi Keith, I'm Hans.' |
'Hello, I haven't seen you for ages. How are things?' | 'I'm fine, how about you?' |
'How are your children?' | 'They're
fine, and yours?' 'Thanks for asking, they're fine.' |
Leaving
Well, I 'm sorry but I have to go now. |
It was nice meeting you. |
Goodbye/Bye. |
See you soon. |
See you later. |
Asking for personal information
'Where are you from?' | 'I'm from Sweden.' |
'Where do you live?' | 'I live in Härnösand.' |
'Where do you work?' | 'I work in a repair shop.' |
'What's your phone number?' | '79167.' (seven nine one six seven) |
'What do you do?' | 'I'm a mechanic.' |
'What sort of films do you like?' | 'I like romantic films best.' |
'Are you interested in sports?' | 'Yes, I play volleyball every week.' |
'Do you like football?' | 'Of course! I support Manchester United.' |
Apologising
'Excuse me, is your name Robert Brown?' |
|
'Pardon?' |
|
'Oh I'm sorry. I mistook you for someone else.' |
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I'm sorry, I didn't mean to step on your foot. |
Sorry I didn't call you last night; I forgot. |
Sorry I'm late. I overslept. |
Asking for and giving permission
Do you mind if I… | sit here? open the window? smoke? look at your paper? |
Positive answers | |
Not at all. | |
Of course. | |
Yes, go right ahead. | |
Negative answers | |
I'm sorry, it's not free. | |
Well, it's a bit cold. | |
I'd rather you didn't. | |
Well, I'm reading it myself, actually. |
Requests
Excuse me, do you know what time it is? |
Excuse me, can you tell me where the nearest post office is? |
Excuse me. (If you have to push past someone in a crowd or interrupt someone.) |
'Would you like something to eat?' | 'Yes please.'/'No thank you.' |
'What would you like: dinner or just a sandwich?' | 'A sandwich would be fine, thanks.' |
'Do you have any peanuts?' | 'Sure.'/ 'Of course, here you are.' |
'May I have a sherry, please?' | 'Of course, here it is.' |
'Where is the bathroom, please?' | 'It's to the left of the bar. Just follow the sign.' |
'Would you mind if I used your phone?' | 'Not at all, help yourself.' |
'May I smoke here?' | 'I'm sorry, I would
rather you didn't.' Would you mind smoking outside, please.' |
'Is anyone sitting here?' | 'No, please sit down.' |
'Would you like a cup of coffee?' | 'That would be nice, thank you.' |
Please and thank you
Please, please, always say 'please' when making a request, or when you want something, and 'thank you' when you receive something.
Could you pass the salt please? |
Thank you. |
Thank you for your help. |
Thanks. |
It was great, thanks. |
When someone thanks you for something, answer this way: |
You're welcome. |
It was nothing. |
Don't mention it. |
Miscellaneous
Give my regards to your mother. |
Bless you! (When someone sneezes.) |
Congratulations! (When someone gets married, gets promoted, passes their driving test etc.) |
My condolences. (When a person tells you a friend or family member has died.) |