Daily speaking expressions English Expressions in Speaking & Writing & How to Use Them

Daily speaking expressions

English Expressions in Speaking & Writing & How to Use Them

Ten Ways of Saying Hello

1. Hi.
2. Hello.
3. How's it going?
4. How do you do?
5. How's tricks?
6. Watcha!
7. How are things?
8. Haven’t seen you for ages.
9. Great to see you again.
10. Nice to meet you.

• 4 and 10 are quite formal. We use them when we meet someone for the first time.
• The most general greeting is 2, which you can use in formal and informal situations, in business and with friends.
• 3, 5 and 7 are informal expressions you can use with friends or people you work with on a regular basis. 6 is very informal and is only used with good friends or people in informal situations.
• 8 and 9 can be used in informal situations when your last meeting was a long time ago.
• The normal reply for all of them is: Fine. But with 1, 2 and 4 we repeat the same greeting.

Saying Goodbye

1. Bye!
2. Goodbye!
3. Bye for now!
4. See you! / See ya!
5. Be seeing you!
6. See you soon!
7. I'm off.
8. Cheerio!
9. Catch you later!
10. Good night!

• Phrase 1 is the most common phrase that British people say. Note: we don't often say 'Bye-bye'. This sounds rather childish.
• Phrase 2 is a little more formal.
• Phrases 3, 4, 5 and 6 are quite informal and friendly. They mean that you expect you will see the other person again soon.
• Phrase 7 is short and not very polite. You are saying that you are leaving without a farewell greeting.
• Phrase 8 is a little old fashioned but quite informal.
• Phrase 9 is also very informal and says that you expect to see the other person again soon.
• We only say phrase 10 at night.

Asking about Health/Life

1. How are you?
2. How are things?
3. How's things?
4. How's it going?
5. How are you getting on?

• Phrase 1 is the best known phrase but English people don't use it every time so it's useful to learn some of the others on this page.
• Phrase 2 is a general inquiry about the other person's health and life. Your answer could be about your health, your work or your personal life.
• Phrase 3 is similar to phrase 2 but the 'incorrect' grammar makes it much more informal.
• Phrases 4 and 5 are asking about the other person's life (work or personal life).