BASIC SOCIAL ENCOUNTERS

GREETINGS

1 Simple greetings

Hi!

Hello!

Hello there!

Howdy!

Hey!

Yo! (slang)

2 General greetings

How are you?

How’s it going?

How’s it been?

How is everything?

How’s everything?

How have you been?

How’ve you been?

How you been? (informal)

How’s tricks? (informal)

What have you been up to?

What’s new? (informal)

What’s up? (informal)

What’s happening? (slang)

What’s going on? (slang)

3 Greetings for various times of the day

Good morning.

Morning.

Mornin’. (informal)

How are you this bright morning?

Good afternoon.

Afternoon.

Good evening.

Evening.

4 Greeting a person you haven’t seen in a long time

I haven’t seen you in years!

Long time no see! (informal)

I haven’t seen you in an age!

I haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays!

a month of Sundays = a long time

5 Expressing surprise at meeting someone

What a surprise to meet you here!

Imagine meeting you here! (clichés)

Fancy meeting you here. (clichés)

Never thought I’d see you here!

What are you doing in this neck of the woods?

neck of the woods = part of town; location

What are you doing in this part of town?

What are you doing out of the office?

Where’ve you been hiding yourself?

What have you been up to?

Shouldn’t you be in school?

Shouldn’t you be at work?

Have you been keeping busy?

You been keeping busy?

Been keeping busy?

Have you been keeping cool?

You been keeping cool?

6 After you have greeted someone

We seem to keep running into each other.

Haven’t we met before?

We have to stop meeting like this. (clichés)

Didn’t we meet at that party last week?

I’m sorry; I’ve forgotten your name.

I’ve been meaning to call you.

SMALL TALK

7 Expressing your state of health and happiness

Fine.

I’m fine.

I’m cool. (slang)

Keeping cool.

Dandy. (informal)

Fine and dandy.

Great.

Couldn’t be better.

Happy as a clam. (clichés)

Okay.

All right.

(I) can’t complain.

No complaints.

I have nothing to complain about.

8 Telling how you have been doing — positive

Keeping busy.

Keeping myself busy.

Been keeping myself busy.

Keeping out of trouble.

Been keeping out of trouble.

Been up to no good. (informal)

Been keeping my nose clean. (informal)

9 Telling how you have been doing — neutral

Getting by.

Been getting by.

Fair to middling. (folksy)

So-so. (informal)

Plugging along. (informal)

Could be worse.

Could be better.

(Just) muddling through.

Same as always.

Same as usual.

10 Telling how you have been doing — negative

Not good.

Not so good.

Not too good.

None too good.

Not well.

Not very well.

Not so well.

Not too well.

None too well.

Not so hot.

Not too hot.

None too hot.

Not great.

Not so great.

None too great.

Crummy. (slang)

Kind of crummy. (slang)

Lousy. (slang)

I’ve seen better days.

I’ve had better days.

Could be better.

I’ve been better.

I’ve been under the weather.

11 Explaining that you have been busy

I’m busy.

Keeping busy.

Keeping myself busy.

Been keeping myself busy.

I’m swamped.

swamped = overwhelmed, as with a swamped boat

I’m snowed under.

snowed under = as if buried in snow

I don’t have time to breathe.

I don’t have time to think.

There aren’t enough hours in the day.

Not a moment to spare.

I’ve been running around with my head cut off. (informal)

I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. (informal)

12 Inviting a friend for a drink or coffee

Do you have time for coffee?

How about a cup of coffee?

Let’s go get coffee. Do you have any time?

Let’s go for coffee.

Let’s go for a beer.

Let’s go for a drink.

INTRODUCTIONS

13 Introducing someone to someone else

I’d like you to meet my friend Mary.

I’d like you to meet Mary.

This is my friend Mary.

John, (this is) Mary. Mary, John.

Mary, have you met John?

Mary, do you know John?

Mary, shake hands with John Jones.

Do you two know each other?

Have you met?

Have you two been introduced?

Haven’t you been introduced?

Oh, I’m sorry; how silly of me. This is Mary.

Mary, John is the guy I was telling you about. (informal)

You two have a lot in common.

14 When you have just been introduced to someone

Good to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Nice meeting you.

How nice to meet you. (formal)

How very nice to meet you. (formal)

What a pleasure to meet you. (formal)

It’s a pleasure to have finally met you. (formal)

I am pleased to make your acquaintance. (formal)

I’m happy to meet you.

I’m glad to meet you.

Glad to meet you.

Charmed. (formal)

A pleasure. (formal)

15 After you have been introduced to someone

I’ve been wanting to meet you for some time.

John has told me all about you.

John has told me so much about you.

I’ve heard so much about you.

I’ve heard so much about you I feel I know you already.

So we finally meet face-to-face.

I’m sorry, what was your name again?

I didn’t catch your name. I’m terrible at names.

16 Asking how someone is

How are you?

How’s your family?

How’s the family?

How are you doing?

How are you doing today?

How you doing?

Are you doing OK?

How are you feeling?

How you feeling?

Are you feeling better today?

How have you been?

How you been?

17 Asking someone how things are going

How’re things?

How’re things with you?

How’re things going?

How’s with you?

How’s by you? (slang)

How’s business?

How’s tricks? (slang)

How’s it shakin’? (slang)

How’s everything?

How’s every little thing? (folksy)

How’s everything going?

How’s it going?

How goes it?

How goes it with you?

How are you getting on?

How are you getting along?

How’s the world (been) treating you?

ENDING A CONVERSATION

18 Signaling the end of a conversation

Oh, look at the time!

It’s getting later.

Well, Tom, it’s really good to see you, but I really must go.

It’s been fun talking to you.

(It’s been) nice chatting with you.

It’s so good to see you again.

We have to make plans to get together sometime.

Let’s do lunch sometime.

19 Ending a telephone conversation

I really have to go now. We’ll talk sometime.

There’s someone on the other line. I must say good-bye now.

The doorbell is ringing. I’ll call you back.

Can I call you back? Something has come up.

I have to get back to my work. I’ll call again later.

Can we continue this later? My other line is ringing.

I have to get back to work before the boss sees me.

I won’t keep you any longer.

I’ll let you go now.

20 Ending a conversation abruptly

I’m going to have to run.

I’m all out of time. I’ll have to say good-bye now.

Look at the time. I really must go.

It’s been great talking to you, but I have to go.

Wow! I’m late. Look, I’ll call you.

Sorry, but I have to leave now.

Let’s continue this another time. I really must go.

GOOD-BYES

21 Simple good-byes

Good-bye.

Bye.

Bye-bye.

So long.

Ta-ta. (informal)

Farewell.

Cheerio.

Hasta la vista. (Spanish)

Adios. (Spanish)

Auf wiedersehen. (German)

Sayonara. (Japanese)

Arrivederci. (Italian)

Au revoir. (French)

Adieu. (French)

Ciao. (Italian)

Good day. (formal)

Good evening. (formal)

Good night.

Good-bye until later.

Good-bye until next time.

Good-bye for now.

See you later.

See you later, alligator. (slang)

Later, gator. (slang)

Later. (informal)

I’ll try to catch you later.

I’ll catch you later.

Catch you later.

I’ll talk to you soon.

Let’s get together soon.

I’ll be seeing you.

I’ll see you real soon.

See you.

See ya. (informal)

See you soon.

See you real soon.

See you around.

See you in a little while.

See you next year.

See you then.

See you tomorrow.

22 Taking leave of someone

Good running into you.

running into you = meeting up with you

Nice running into you.

Nice talking to you.

Take care.

(It was) good to see you.

(It was) nice to see you.

Nice meeting you.

It was a pleasure meeting you. (formal)

It is a pleasure to have met you. (formal)

It’s been a real pleasure. (formal)

23 Leaving a place

Are we ready to leave?

Are you about finished?

Are you ready to go?

Ready to go?

Ready to roll? (slang)

Are we away? (slang)

Let’s blow. (slang)

blow = leave

Let’s blow this pop(sicle) stand. (slang)

pop (sicle) stand = a cheap place; an undesirable place

Let’s get out of this taco stand. (slang)

taco stand = a cheap place; an undesirable place

Let’s blow this joint. (slang)

= Let’s leave this place.

Let’s go while the going’s good. (cliché)

Let’s = Time to, We got to

Let’s get while the getting’s good. (cliché)

Let’s head out.

Let’s beat a hasty retreat. (cliché)

Let’s make tracks. (informal)

make tracks = leave a trail (as we go)

Let’s motor. (slang)

to motor = to leave by automobile

Let’s hit the road. (slang)

Let’s boogie. (slang)

Let’s split. (slang)

Let’s make like a tree and leave. (jocular)

Let’s make like the wind and blow. (jocular)

Let’s make like a banana and split. (jocular)

Exit stage right.

Exit stage left.

Retreat! (slang)

24 Making plans to keep in touch with someone

I’ll call you when I get home.

Call when you get there.

Don’t forget to call.

Write me.

Let’s write.

Let’s do lunch.

I’ll be in touch.

Let’s keep in touch.

AGREEING

25 Simple agreement

Yes.

Yeah. (informal)

Yep. (informal)

Yup. (informal)

Right.

You’re right.

Right you are.

Right on!

Right-o.

Uh-huh.

Sure.

You got it.

You bet.

Absolutely.

By all means.

26 Stating your concurrence

This is true.

That’s true.

You’re right.

Ain’t that the truth?

Ain’t it the truth?

That’s right.

That’s for certain.

That’s for sure.

That’s for darn sure.

That’s for damn sure. (mildly vulgar)

Damn straight! (mildly vulgar)

It works for me.

Well said.

I agree.

I agree with you 100%.

I couldn’t agree with you more.

I have no problem with that.

We see eye to eye on this.

I couldn’t have said it better.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

I’ll drink to that!

27 Expressing acceptance

It’s fine.

I think it’s fine.

It’s good enough.

It’s satisfactory.

It’ll do.

It’ll serve the purpose.

I like it.

I love it.

I think it’s great.

I like the color.

I like the texture.

I like the flavor.

It’s got a good rhythm.

It’s wonderful.

It’s fabulous.

It’s ideal.

It’s a masterpiece.

It’s perfect.

It’s A-l.

This is second to none.

This is perfect.

This is far and away the best.

This is the ultimate.

It couldn’t be better.

Never been better.

There’s none better.

It doesn’t get any better than this.

I’ve never seen anything like it.

This is the cream of the crop. (cliché)

This is the pick of the litter. (idiomatic)

litter = a group of newborn pups

This is the crème de la crème. (cliché)

= This is the best of the best.

This is head and shoulders above the rest.

That suits me to a T.

= That suits me fine.

That’s the ticket. (idiomatic)

That’s just what the doctor ordered. (idiomatic)

That’s just what I needed.

That hits the spot. (idiomatic)

That fits the bill. (idiomatic)

That’s it.

That’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. (cliché)

It’s in a league of its own.

I give it four stars.

It gets two thumbs up. (idiomatic)

I’ve hit the jackpot.

jackpot = sum of money to be won in gambling

Bingo! (slang)

= I did it!

Jackpot! (slang)

= I did it!; It is good!

Bull’s-eye! (slang)

Bonus! (slang)

28 Stating that you understand

I hear you.

I hear you, man.

I hear what you’re saying.

I see what you’re saying.

I can see what you’re saying.

I can see that.

I see what you mean.

I see where you’re coming from.

I know.

I know what you mean.

Point well-taken.

I know what you’re talking about.

I understand what you’re saying.

Understood.

I dig it. (slang)

I can dig it. (slang)

I got you.

Gotcha.

(I) got it.

I follow you.

I’m with you.

I’m there with you.

I’ve been there.

Read you loud and clear.

Roger.

Roger, wilco.

wilco = will comply

Roger Dodger. (slang)

29 Making sure you are understood

Do you know what I mean?

Do you know what I’m talking about?

Know what I mean?

Does that make any sense?

Am I making sense?

Are you following me?

Know what I’m saying?

You know?

Do you see what I mean?

See what I mean?

Don’t you see?

Do you get the message?

Do you get the picture?

Get the message?

Get the picture?

Get my drift?

Do you get it?

Get it?

Do you follow?

Do you follow me?

Dig? (slang)

= Do you understand?

Understand?

Do you understand?

Do you hear what I’m saying?

Do you hear me?

Do you see where I’m coming from?

where I’m coming from = what my position is

Do you agree?

You’re with me, right?

Are you with me on this?

Do we see eye to eye on this?

DISAGREEING

30 Stating simple disagreement or refusal

No.

Nope.

No way.

Not a chance.

Not! (slang)

Uh-uh.

I don’t think so.

31 Stating categorical disagreement

That’s not true.

That’s not right.

You’ve got that wrong.

You’ve got it all wrong.

Wrong!

You missed the boat. (idiomatic)

You’re missing the boat. (idiomatic)

Wrong on both counts.

You’re wrong.

You’re dead wrong.

You’re off.

You’re way off base.

32 Stating strong disagreement

I disagree completely.

I couldn’t disagree (with you) more.

Horsefeathers!

Bullshit. (taboo)

Bull. (mildly vulgar)

Baloney. (slang)

That’s a load of crap. (mildly vulgar)

That’s a lot of bull. (mildly vulgar)

That’s a lot of baloney. (slang)

That’s a bunch of baloney. (slang)

That’s a bunch of malarkey.

Lies!

That’s a lie.

That’s a big, fat lie. (informal)

You’re lying through your teeth.

Look me in the eye and say that.

33 Stating your disagreement with a proposition

That’s out of the question.

That’s unthinkable.

That’s insane.

That doesn’t even merit a response.

I’ll give that all the consideration it’s due.

34 Expressing rejection

I can’t stand it.

I hate it.

I don’t care for it.

I don’t like it.

It’s not my style.

It’s not for me.

It stinks. (informal)

It sucks. (mildly vulgar)

It reeks. (informal)

My kid could do that.

It’s awful.

It’s terrible.

It’s ugly.

It’s hideous.

It’s dreadful.

It’s hell on earth. (informal)

I don’t get it.

Don’t quit your day job.

35 Expressing refusal

No.

Nope. (informal)

No way.

No way, Jose. (informal)

No can do. (informal)

No, sir.

No sirree. (folksy)

No sirree, Bob. (folksy)

Sorry.

Nothing doing.

You’re out of luck.

In a pig’s eye. (idiomatic)

When pigs fly. (idiomatic)

When hell freezes over. (informal)

There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell. (informal)

Not a chance.

No chance.

Not if I can help it.

Not likely.

Not bloody likely. (mildly vulgar)

Absolutely not!

It will be a cold day in hell before I do that. (informal)

Only in your dreams.

Dream on.

Save your breath.

Save it.

You’re barking up the wrong tree. (idiomatic)

Over my dead body. (idiomatic)

Forget it.

If you think that, you’ve got another think coming.

Not in a million years.

Not for a million dollars.

You couldn’t pay me to do it.

Not in your wildest dreams.

You wish.

I’ll be damned first. (mildly vulgar)

I’ll be damned if I do. (mildly vulgar)

Damned if I will. (mildly vulgar)

Like hell. (mildly vulgar)

I’ll see you in hell first. (mildly vulgar)

You’re S.O.L. (vulgar)

S.O.L. = shit out of luck

36 Stating that someone is wrong

What are you talking about?

You don’t know what you’re talking about.

You don’t have a leg to stand on.

You haven’t got a leg to stand on.

You don’t know the first thing about it.

You’re really stretching the truth.

You’re way off base.

You can lay that notion to rest.

37 Arguing about the facts

You’ve got it all wrong.

You’ve got the facts wrong.

You’ve got your facts wrong.

You haven’t got the facts.

You haven’t got the facts right.

I don’t think you’ve got your facts straight.

Don’t speak until you’ve got your facts straight.

Next time get the facts straight. (informal)

Next time get the facts first. (informal)

Don’t jump to conclusions.