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Everyday conversations: Learning american english

Introductions and Small Talk​

Dialogue 1-1: Formal Greetings

JAMES : Good morning, Professor Austin, how are you doing?

PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Good morning, James. I am doing well. And you?

JAMES: I'm great, thank you. This is my friend Emma. She is thinking about applying to this college. She has a few questions. Would you mind telling us about the process, please?

PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Hello, Emma! It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm more than happy to speak with you. Please stop by my office next week.

EMMA: It's a pleasure to meet you, professor. Thank you so much for helping us.

PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Don't mention it. Hopefully, I will be able to answer your questions!

Language notes

• The greetings good morning /good afternoon/good evening are used at different times of the day to greet people. "Good evening" is often used after 6 p. M. Or generally when the sun has set.

• "Good night" is not a greeting: It is used when leaving a place or group of people. Thank you and good night! /Good night, and see you tomorrow.

• When people meet in the United States, it is customary for them to shake hands. A handshake should be firm and usually lasts for about two to three seconds - which allows enough time to say "Nice to meet you."

• "Don't mention it" is another way of saying "You're welcome." The phrase "You are welcome" is more formal. However, responses such as Don't mention it. /No problem. /Happy to help. Are informal ways of responding to a thank you.

 

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Dialogue 1-2: Informal Greetings and Farewells

JANE : Hi, Helen! How's it going ?

HELEN: Fine, thanks - and you ?

JANE: Just fine. Where are you off to ?

HELEN: To the library. I've got a history exam next week and need to start studying. Ugh.

JANE: Oh, no. Well, I'll see you later then. Good luck!

HELEN: Thanks. See you later.

Language notes

• "Hi" is an informal way of saying "hello." Notice that the "i" sound in "hi" is extended, to

Show that Jane is very pleased to see Helen.

• "How's it going ?" is an informal way of saying "How are you?"

• "Fine, thanks-and you ?" Notice the rising intonation on "and you?" This shows that Helen is interested in what Jane has to say.

• "Where are you off to ?" is an informal way of saying "Where are you going?" Notice the falling intonation since this is an information question, not a "yes/no" question.

• "To the library." Notice that Helen does not say "I'm going" here because that information was already established in the question "Where are you off to?"

• "Oh, no" is a way of saying "I sympathize with you" or "I understand you are not happy."

• "See you later" is an informal way of saying "goodbye."