Linda : Good Morning.

Harry : Good morning.

Linda : How are you?

Harry : I’m good, thanks for asking. How about you?

Linda : I’m doing well, thank you. My name is Linda.

Harry : Nice to meet you Linda, I’m Harry.

Linda : It’s nice to meet you too, Harry. What do you do?

Harry : I work as a software developer for a tech company. How about you?

Linda : That’s interesting. I work as a nurse at a local hospital.

Harry : It’s great to meet you, Linda.

Linda : Same to you, Harry.

Harry : Well, I have to go now.

Linda : Alright, have a good day!

Harry : You too!

The above mentioned conversation serves as an illustration of how to initiate a formal dialogue between two individuals who have recently come across each other.

Formal conversations are usually employed in situations where we interact with elderly individuals, people we have just met, or those who hold a higher position of authority, such as corporate executives, teachers, or potential business partners.

Moreover, in this context, we will dig into not only the various forms of formal language, but also the informal language used in day-to-day conversations with people we are familiar with.

To better understand the sample conversation, it can be divided into two sections, which are the greeting and introduction.

Greeting

Mr. James : Good Morning, Mr. John.

Mr. John : Good morning, Mr. James. It is a pleasure to meet you.

Mr. James : The pleasure is mine, I must say. May I inquire about your journey here? I hope it was without any inconvenience.

Mr. John : Thank you for your concern, Mr. James. My journey was smooth, thankfully. And may I ask how your day has been thus far?

Mr. James : My day has been productive, thank you for asking. So, Mr. John, what brings you here today?

Mr. John : I am here to discuss potential business opportunities with your company. I believe our organizations have much to offer each other.

Mr. James : I couldn’t agree more. Our company has been searching for new partnerships, and I am eager to explore the possibilities with you. Shall we proceed to our meeting room for further discussions?

Mr. John : Of course, Mr. James. I am ready when you are.

Mr. James : Excellent. After you, Mr. John.

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Greeting is an important aspect of communication and helps to establish a connection with the person we are speaking to. In the above example, the use of the phrase “Good Morning” serves as a polite way to initiate the conversation. This type of greeting is usually followed by a response, in this case, “Good Morning.”

Different expressions of greetings and their corresponding responses are as follows:

Formal Forms:

• Good …. : Response Good morning/afternoon/evening

Informal Forms:

• Hello/Hi/Hello there: Response – Hello/Hi/Hello there

Casual Forms:

• Hey/Yo/Howdy: Response – Hey/Yo/Howdy

It’s important to choose the right form of greeting depending on the situation. When interacting with someone who is older, someone you have just met, or someone who holds a higher position than you, it’s best to use formal forms of greetings. On the other hand, with friends and close acquaintances, informal forms and slang are acceptable.

Example:

You : Good Morning.

Your Friend : Good Morning.

Asking and expressing state of health and happiness

In conversations, asking someone about their well-being is a common and polite way to start a conversation. There are various expressions used to inquire about someone’s health and how they are feeling.

Some examples are “How are you?” or “How’s it going?” Depending on the situation and the relationship with the person, you can choose the appropriate expression.

When asking someone about their well-being, it’s important to know how to respond as well. If the person is having a good day and things are going well, they may give a positive response such as “I’m fine” or “Life is good.” On the other hand, if things are not going so well, they may give a neutral response like “Could be better” or a negative response like “Not good.”

Different expressions asking about someone’s well-being and their corresponding responses are as follows:

Formal Forms:

• Ask: “How are you?” Response: “I’m fine/fine/great.“

Informal Forms:

• Ask: “How’s it going?” Response: “Going good/couldn’t be better/dandy.“
• Ask: “How’s life?” Response: “Life is good/it’s nice/so-so.“

Casual Forms:

• Ask: “Wassup?” Response: “Wassup/not too shabby.“

Neutral Responses:

• “Could be better.”
• “It’s getting by.”
• “Same as always.”
• “As usual.”

Negative Responses:

• “Not good.”
• “Not so well.”
• “Crummy.”
• “Lousy.”

When asking someone about their well-being, it’s important to choose the right expression depending on the situation and the relationship with the person. Additionally, being aware of how to respond appropriately shows respect and consideration for the other person.

Introduction

In a formal setting, it is common to introduce oneself with full name or a formal version of it, but in a more relaxed setting or when speaking with friends, using a nickname or a shortened version of the name is acceptable.

When introducing oneself, it is also important to consider the cultural norms and customs of the place where you are in.

Exercise

You : (greeting)

Your friend : (greeting)

You : (asking for state of health and happiness)

Your friend : (respond)

You : (respond), it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is (full name) or (nickname) if you prefer.

Your friend : Nice to meet you too (full name) or (nickname). My name is (full name) or (nickname).

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Example conversation:

John : Good morning.

Sarah : Good morning.

John : How are you doing today?

Sarah : I’m doing well, thank you for asking.

John : I’m glad to hear that. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is John Smith, or you can call me John.

Sarah : Nice to meet you too, John. My name is Sarah Johnson, but you can call me Sarah.

Ending a Conversation

Ending a conversation can often leave a lasting impression on the person you are speaking with. The words you choose and the tone in which you say them can indicate if the conversation was enjoyable or not.

When ending a conversation with someone you just met, it is important to use polite and friendly expressions to leave a good impression. Some examples include:

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you today.” “It’s very nice to meet you.” “It was really great seeing you, but I have to go now.” “Let’s do lunch/dinner sometime.”

If the conversation was neutral, a simple “OK, bye” or “Bye” can be used. However, if the conversation was not enjoyable or if you wish to convey a neutral or indifferent tone, it is best to avoid overly friendly expressions.

It is important to be mindful of the words and tone used when ending a conversation, as this can leave a lasting impression and affect future interactions with the person.

Example conversation

You: Good afternoon, how are you today?

Your friend: Good afternoon, I’m doing well, thank you. How about you?

You: I’m doing well too, thank you for asking. It was a pleasure speaking with you today.

Your friend: The pleasure was mine. Have a great day.

You: You as well. Goodbye.

Your friend: Goodbye.