1.1 Read and translate the article

Social greetings in English language

The first step in starting a conversation is your greeting. Greetings are used to say hello in English. This is what you say at the very first moment that you see or speak on the phone. And this is the first impression a new person will have about you when you speak. When greeting someone, it is important to use the appropriate level of formality for each situation. It's 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 it's 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.

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 him. 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, I'd 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: 

- It's a pleasure to meet you.

- It's nice to meet you.

Greetings after an Introduction: How are you? 

Once you have met someone, it's 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: I'm great. 

Reference: [14]

 

Exercise 1.1.1 Learn useful formal and informal phrases for greeting:

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 / Hello

- How are you?

- How are you doing?

- What's up? (very informal).

It's important to note that the question How are you? or What's up? doesn't 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).

- What's up? 

- Not much.

I'm just (watching TV, hanging out, cooking dinner, etc.)

Informal Greetings after a Long Time

If you haven't seen a friend or family member for a long time, use one these informal greetings to mark the occasion:

- It's 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 / Bye.

- See you later.

- Later (very informal).

 

Exercise 1.1.2 Read the following dialogue and say whether it is formal or informal:

Mr Smith meets Mrs Braun, one of his students, and her husband in the street.

Mr Smith: Good morning, Mrs Braun.

Mrs Braun:  Good morning, Mr Smith. How are you?

Mr Smith: I'm fine thanks, and you?

Mrs Braun:  Not too bad. Mr Smith, this is my husband Richard. Richard, this is Mr Smith, my English teacher.

Mr Braun: Pleased to meet you.

Mr Smith: Pleased to meet you too. Are you from Germany, Mr Braun?

Mr Braun:    Yes, East Germany, from Dresden. And you, are you from London?

Mr Smith: No, I'm from Derby, but I live in London now.

Mrs Braun: Well, goodbye Mr Smith, it was nice to see you.

Mr Smith: Yes, goodbye.

 

Exercise 1.1.3 Put the following phrases of greetings into correct column:

Hello / Great, thanks. How are you? / Wow, it’s so good to see you again! / How are you doing? / Nice to meet you / I’m pleased to meet you / Hi / How’s it going? / What’s new? / Not bad. You? / How’s your day going? / It’s been such a long time / It’s been too long / I’m so happy to see you again! / What’s going on? / How are you? / I’m doing very well, thank you. And you? / I’m fine, thank you / How do you do? / What’s up? / Couldn’t be better? How about you? / Wonderful, thank you. / Long time no see / Good morning (Good afternoon, Good evening). / It’s been a long time. / I’m glad to see you. / How are things?

General greetings (Formal):

General greetings (Informal):

Greeting someone you haven’t seen for a long time:

Responses when greeting people:

 

Exercise 1.1.4 Work in pairs: read some short conversations of greetings by roles; next, switch the roles; finally, make up your own dialogue using formal or informal expressions:

Dialogue 1:

Ann: Ted, what's up?

Ted: Hi Ann. Nothing much. I'm just hanging out. What's up with you?

Ann: It's a good day. I'm feeling fine.

Ted: How is your sister?

Ann: Oh, fine. Not much has changed.

Ted: Well, I have to go. Nice seeing you!

Ann: Later!

Dialogue 2:

Mariam: Oh, hello Daniel. How are you doing?

Daniel: I'm well. Thanks for asking. How are you?

Mariam: I can't complain. Life is treating me well.

Daniel: That's good to hear.

Mariam: Good to see you again. I need to go to my doctor's appointment.

Daniel: Nice seeing you.

Mariam: See you later.

Dialogue 3:

Jack: Good morning, Rick.

Rick: Good morning. How are you?

Jack: I'm very well thank you. And you?

Rick: I'm fine. Thank you for asking.

Jack: Do you have a meeting this morning?

Rick: Yes, I do. Do you have a meeting as well?

Jack: Yes. Well. It was a pleasure seeing you.

Rick: Goodbye.

 

Exercise 1.1.5 Pre reading task: find the definitions of the following words in the article below:

- christian name;

- middle name;

- family name/surname;

- nickname.