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The 100 Most Useful Social English Phrases PDF
The 100 Most Useful Social English Phrases PDF
Summary: The most important social English phrases for meeting and greeting, dealing with small talk, making guests feel
comfortable, etc.
By: Alex Case | Audience: Teachers | Category: Learning English | Topic: Discourse
First Published: 9th Oct. 2019 | Last Edited: 10th Oct. 2019
This is a list of the most vital phrases for starting conversations, meeting people, sustaining and responding to chitchat, etc. For invitations, recommendations,
dining out together, etc, see “The 100 most useful socialising phrases”. For intensive practice of these phrases and a bigger list of useful phrases, see Teaching
Social English: Interactive Classroom Activities at https://www.usingenglish.com/e-books/social-english/
Good morning/ afternoon/ evening. I’m here to see/ meet John Smith. (I’m guessing that’s you.)
(Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself./ I should probably introduce myself.) My name is Alexander Case (but please call me Alex/ but everyone calls me Alex).
(Yes.) That’s right./ That’s me. (And you must be…/ And you are?)
Polite language the first time you meet (after giving names)/ Expressions meaning “Nice to meet you”
(We’ve emailed each other but/ We’ve spoken many times on the phone but) it’s so nice to finally meet you (face to face).
(I don’t know if you remember me, but) we met…/ we worked together…/ we…
(Wow!) Long time no see. How have you been (since we last met)?
I’ve been looking forward to meeting you (too)./ I’ve heard so much about you (too).
Thanks for coming all this way/ coming such a long way (on such a cold day/ hot day/ humid day/ snowy day/… day).
Thanks for inviting me/ us (to…).
Okay then, I’d love to chat more/ hear more about that (later) (but…)
Giving a reason for ending the small talk/ ending the conversation
I’m afraid/ Unfortunately/ I’m sorry but I have a(nother) meeting at… (o’clock) (so…)
(As you know/ As I said in my email) I ( just) need to talk to you about…
(Of course) I’ll let you get on (then)./ (Sorry) I won’t keep you any longer (then).
Moving to another place/ Directing people/ Giving directions/ Leading people somewhere
I’d like to introduce you to/ Can I introduce you to (my colleague/ my boss)…?
Like “Nice to see you (again)”, but at the end of the conversation
Are you finished/ Have you finished (for the day/ for the day/ for the week)?
Do you have (m)any more meetings (today)?
Do you have any plans for this evening/ for the weekend/ for…?
Good wishes for something that the other person will do in the future
(I hope you/ Hope you) have a good time/ good weekend/ good evening/ good time/ good trip.
(Please) pass on my (best) regards to…/ say “Hi” to… (from me).
(I) look forward to seeing you/ hearing from you/ your call.
I hope you had a good time/ I hope it was worth the trip/ I hope…
Thanks, that was really useful/ lovely/ really productive/ very stimulating/ a real eye opener/…
Small talk
Where is your company based?/ Where are you based?/ Where do you work?/ Do you work near here?/ Is your office near here?/ Are you based near here?
What a coincidence!/ This is a nice surprise. (I didn’t know that you were interested in…/ that you were in the area/ that you…)
How was your (summer/ Xmas/ New Year/ Easter/ bank) holiday/ vacation?
How’s it going?/ How are things?/ How are you doing?/ How’s life (treating you)?
What are you working (on at the moment)?/ Are you (still) working on…?
Did you have any problems getting here?/ Did you have any trouble finding us?
How long are you here?/ How long will you be here?/ How long are you staying (in…) (this time)?/ Are you staying long?
How was your flight (from…/ to…)?/ How was your journey (here/ from…)?
How’s the weather (outside/ outside now/ in…/ back in…) (now)?/ Is it still…?
It’s (a bit/ rather/ quite/ really/ so) humid/ cold/ hot/ grey/ crowded/ busy/…, isn’t it? (Is it usually like this (at this time of year))?
What brings you here (today)?/ What brings you to…?/ Are you here for/ to…?
(You must be really jet lagged). What time is it now in…?/ What’s the time difference between… and…?
(Really) great/ (Pretty) good/ Very well/ Not (so/ too) bad/ Fine
I work for ABC Limited./ I work in the… department/ division/ section of ABC Limited.
That sounds great/ lovely/ delicious/ nice/ fantastic/ wonderful/ fabulous/ perfect/ ideal.
Active listening
Go on.
Mmmm hmmm.
Really?
Changing topic
Offers
Please take a seat (anywhere you like) (and she’ll come out and see you shortly).
(Please) make yourself at home. (You can leave your coat/ bag/ stuff/… here/ over there/… if you like).
Responding to offers
Thank you, that’s very kind (but if you don’t mind, I’d prefer…)
It’s (all) written on my business card. (Let me give you one). Here you are./ Here you go.
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