A conversation is 2 or more people talking together.
The context and the people involved in a conversation affect the language used. Generally speaking, conversations can be formal or informal.
Formal conversations are official and impersonal.
Formal Conversation Contexts |
Job interview |
Giving a speech |
First time meeting someone |
Official ceremonies |
Informal conversations are casual with people we know.
Informal Conversation Contexts |
Chat with friends/family |
Dinner parties |
Game night |
Talking with coworkers you know well |
Greetings are used to begin a conversation.
Used both in formal and informal conversations.
Hello |
Hi |
Good morning |
Good afternoon |
Good evening |
How are you? |


Formal greetings are impersonal and keep a certain distance between the speakers.
It is a pleasure to meet you |
How do you do? |
Nice to meet you |
Pleased to meet you |


Informal greetings are casual and used with people we know very well.
Hey! |
Yo! |
What’s up? |
Good to see you! |
Long time no see! |
What’s new? |


Identifications are used to introduce and ask about another person or yourself. Identifications are often used with greetings.
My name is . . . |
I’m . . . |
Let me introduce myself, I’m . . . |
I don’t think we’ve met. I’m . . . |


This is . . . |
Meet . . . |
This is my friend . . . |
Let me introduce you to . . . |
I’d like you to meet . . . |
Have you met . . . |


What is your name? |
Who is . . .? |
And you are . . .? |
Which group are you in? |
Who’s your partner for the project? |


Goodbyes are used at the end of conversations, to close it.
Formal | Informal | |
Goodbye | ✔ | ✔ |
Bye | X | ✔ |
See you later | X | ✔ |
Have a good day | ✔ | ✔ |
See you tomorrow | X | ✔ |


Formal goodbyes are used when ending a conversation with people you don’t know very well and in official settings.
Enjoy your evening |
I must be going |
I have got to go |
It was nice meeting you |
It was nice talking to you |
It was a pleasure |
It was a pleasure meeting you |
The pleasure was mine |


Informal goodbyes are used to end casual conversations with people you know very well.
Bye bye |
Take care |
Good night |
Okay, thanks |
Until next time |
See you |
Talk to you later |
Have a good one |
Gotta go |
Take it easy |
Catch you later |


Goodbyes are often used in combination by using 2 expressions together. The most common combinations are done by adding a phrase to the words Goodbye or Bye. It can be added before or after.
Adding before: | Adding after: |
See you later, goodbye! It was nice meeting you, goodbye! |
Goodbye, see you later! Goodbye, it was nice meeting you. |
See you tomorrow, bye! Have a good day, bye! |
Bye, see you tomorrow! Bye, have a good day! |
Thanks are used to express gratitude, appreciation and recognition. Thanks can be given or accepted.
Thank you |
Thank you very much |
Thank you so much |
Thanks |
Thanks a lot |
Thanks for everything |
I owe you |
I owe you one |
I’m so grateful |
Much appreciated |
You’re a lifesaver |
You’re the best |


You are most welcome |
You’re welcome |
Welcome |
It’s my pleasure |
My pleasure |
The pleasure’s mine |
That’s okay |
Anytime |
Glad to help |
Not at all |
Just doing my job |
Don’t mention it |


Apologies are used to express regret, to say you are sorry and to ask for forgiveness.
I’m sorry |
Sorry |
I apologize |
My apologies |
Please, accept my apologies |
Please, forgive me |
Forgive me |
Excuse me |
Pardon me |
I didn’t mean to . . . |


That's okay |
It’s okay |
That's alright |
It’s alright |
Don't worry about it |
Don't mention it |
Don't apologize |
Forget about it |
It doesn't matter |
No harm done |
No need to apologize |
Never mind |
You couldn't help it |
I quite understand |


Interruptions are used when you need to say something and someone is busy or already talking.
Excuse me |
I’m sorry to interrupt |
Pardon me |
Pardon me for interrupting |
Can I interrupt? |
I’m sorry about this, but . . . |
Before you continue . . . |


Fillers are used to get more time to think or react to what was said.
I mean . . . |
I think . . . |
All right . . . |
Well . . . |
Let’s see . . . |
I’ll think about it . . . |
I’m thinking about it . . . |
Let me think about it |
Hold on a second |
Can I have a minute? |


Warnings are used to warn people of a situation or an upcoming situation.
Be careful! |
Watch out! |
Look out! |
You’d better . . . |
I wouldn’t do that if I were you |


Reassurances are used to comfort, reduce worry and generally support people.
You’ll be fine |
It will be alright |
The same thing happened to me |
It’s not important |
It’s okay |
No problem |
Don’t worry about it |
That’s all right |
It doesn’t matter |


Phone conversation phrases are used to call, answer, reply and take messages.
Answering a Personal Call |
Hello? |
Good morning! |
Good afternoon! |
Answering the Phone at Work |
Hello, this is . . |
Jenna speaking. |
Alloprof, how may I help you? |
Alloprof, Jenna speaking. How may I help you? |
Thank you for calling Alloprof. How can I help you? |


Hello, may I speak to Steve? |
Hello, I would like to speak to Steve, please. |
Hi, can I talk to Steve? |
Hi, is Steve there? |
Hi! Steve, please. |


Replying to a personal call: |
Yes, it’s me. |
Speaking. |
Sorry, you have the wrong number. |
Replying to a call at work: |
One moment please. |
One minute please. |
Yes, it’s me. |
Please hold. |
I’ll place you on hold. |
I’ll transfer you. |
I will connect you right away. |


Hello, I’m calling about . . . |
Hello, I’d like some information about… |
Hello, could you tell me . . .? |
Hello, I was wondering if you could . . . |
Hi! Can you help with . . .? |
Hi! Can you tell me . . .? |
Hello! I have a question about… |


May I take a message? |
Would you like to leave a message? |
He’s not available. Do you have a message? |
Sorry, she’s not here. Can I give her a message? |
May I ask who’s calling? |
What is your number? |


This is Ray. Can he call me back at 555-2368? |
Yes, can he call me back? |
Ask him to call me back. |
My name is . . . |
This is . . . |
My number is . . . |
You can reach me at . . . |

