Communication: Starting and finishing a conversation; being friendly

Excuse me, could you tell me the time? I beg your pardon, do you have the time? (USA)

Starting a conversation with a stranger

Tony, this is Elaine. Palmela, meet Andy/have you met Andy?/do you know Andy? Mrs Green, I'd like you to meet/let me introduce you to Mr Bridges. (rather formal)

Introducing people

Hello, Andy. Hello, Palmela. (informal) Hi, Elaine. Hi, Tony. (informal and especially USA) How do you do? How do you do? Pleased to meet you (rather formal) How are you? How are you? (USA)

Meeting someone for the first time

Hello, Paul. Hi, Sue (informal and especially USA)

Greeting someone

Good morning/Good Afternoon/Good Evening.

Greeting someone (a little more formal than Hello)

Morning/Afternoon/Evening.

Greeting someone (leaving out "good" is less formal)

Nice to see you. How are you? Very well, thank you/Fine, thanks. And how are you?/And you? OK, thanks/Not too bad, thanks. How's life?/How are things? (informal)

Being polite

What's her husband like? Well, he's rather quiet person.

We use "how" for a polite enquiry but "What... like?" for a question about the special qualities of someone or something.

Hello. This is Carl/Carl here/Carl speaking. Can I speak to Maria?/Is Maria there, please?

Saying who you are calling when starting a telephone conversation

Is that Mr Tucker? Is thatAshford 73780? Is this Elaine (USA). Who's speaking?/Who am I speaking to, please?

Asking who the other person is

Hello? Are you there?

When you think you have been cut off

Well, I must be going now/I have to go now. Goodbye, Phil. (I'll) see you (later) Bye/Bye-bye! (informal) Cheerio/So long! (informal) Good night (at the end of the day)

Saying goodbye

Dear Brian, Dear Mrs Moody.

Starting a letter (informal)

Dear Sir, Dear Madam,

Starting a letter (formal)

Yours sincerely, Sincerely yours, (USA) Yours (ever), Love (from),

Finishing a letter (informal)

Yours faithfully,

Finishing a letter (formal)

All the best. Good luck in your new job. I hope everything goes all right/goes well for you. I'd like to wish you every success (more formal)

Good wishes for success

Remember me to Chris/Regards to Chris/Love to Chris.

Good wishes to a third person

Enjoy yourself/yourselves. Have a good time/holiday/trip/journey. Look after yourself. Take care on the roads.

Good wishes for a holiday etc.

Merry Christmas/Happy Christmas. And a Happy New Year. Have a nice Easter. Happy birthday/Many happy returns (of the day)

Good wishes at a special times of the year

Cheers! (To your very) good health/Here's to the two of you.

Before drinking

I like your coat/That's a lovely coat/You look nice in that coat. Thank you. It's nice of you to say so.

Compliments about clothes

That was a nice/lovely meal. The steak was delicious. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Compliment about cooking

I hear you've passed your exam. Well done! Congratulations on passing the exam. Thank you.

Congratulations

Bad luck/Hard luck. Never mind. Better luck next time.

When someone has been unsuccessful

My father died last week. Oh, I am sorry. I was very sorry to hear about your father.

Sympathy