Speaking on Greeting,Introducing yourself and other people,Talking about ability

Greeting

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There are different ways to greet people:

Greeting means welcoming someone with particular words or a particular action.
When meeting people formally for the first time, we greet by shaking hands and saying "How do you do?" or "Pleased to meet you."
"How do you do?" isn't really a question, it just means "Hello".
When young people meet informally they sometimes greet and say "Give me five!" and slap their hands together (high five).
Generally we do not greet by shaking hands with people we know well. We greet by just saying 'hi' or 'hello'
Here are some expressions you can use to greet people.

Greeting

• Hi, hello.
• Good morning, good afternoon, good evening.
• How are you?
• How are you doing?
• How do you do?

Responding to greeting

• Hi, hello.
• Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening.
• I'm fine thank you (thanks)/Okey! Thank you (thanks)/Can't complain/Not bad.
• How about you?/And you?
• How do you do?

Things to remember about greeting:

When you greet someone and say:

"How do you do?"

this isn't really a question, it just means "Hello".

Saying Goodbye

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Parting phrases

There are different expressions or phrases to say goodbye. These parting phrases depend on situations and the people involved, their social status and personal relationship.

Leaving and saying goodbye

• All right, everyone, it's time to head off.
• Anyway, guys I'm going to make a move.
• Ok, everyone, it's time to leave you.
• See you later / tomorrow / soon.
• Talk to you later!

If you want to say goodbye in a hurry

• I'm so sorry, I've got to rush off / run / hurry!
• I'm afraid I'm going to have to rush off / run / hurry!

Saying goodbye politely after meeting someone

• Nice to see you.
• It's been lovely to see you.
• It was great to see you.
• Good to see you.
• Have a lovely / nice evening.
• Have a good day.

Saying goodbye to your hosts

• Thanks very much for dinner/ lunch - it was lovely!
• Thank you very much for having me.

Other ways to say goodbye

• Take care
• Bye!
• Bye Bye!
• Later man / bro!
• Have a good one!
• It's time to be going!
• So Long!

Slang Goodbyes

• Catch you later
• Peace! / Peace out
• I'm out!
• Smell you later

Final goodbye

Introducing yourself and other people

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Introducing yourself and others

There is a range of ways to introduce yourself and people.

Introducing yourself:

Here are expressions to introduce yourself:

• My name is ...
• I'm ....
• Nice to meet you; I'm ...
• Pleased to meet you; I'm ...
• Let me introduce myself; I'm ...
• I'd like to introduce myself; I'm ...

Introducing others:

Here are expressions to introduce others:

• Jack, please meet Nicolas.
• Jack, have you met Nicolas?
• I'd like you to meet Liza.
• I'd like to introduce you to Betty.
• Leila, this is Barbara. Barbara this is Leila.

Useful responses when introducing yourself or other people:

• Nice to meet you.
• Pleased to meet you.
• Happy to meet you.
• How do you do?

Dialogue:

Alex is talking to the new manager and his assistant. Notice how they introduce themselves:

Alex:	Hi! My name is Alex Litterman, the new manager.
William:	Hi! I'm William O'Brian. Nice to meet you, Mr Alex Litterman.
John:	William, please meet Mr Steve Lynch, my assistant
Jack:	How do you do?
Nicolas:	How do you do?

• Farewell (when you intend never to see your interlocutor again)

Talking about ability

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How to express ability

To express that someone has the power or skill to do something, can and be able are used.
Examples:

• I can't help you.I am busy.
• I'm unable to help you.
• When I was young I was able to earn my living pretty well; I could work hard. Now I can't. I'm too old.
• I can stand on my head for five minutes.
• Can you speak Arabic?
• Yes, I can.

Expressing ability

In the present:

Express ability in the present as follows:

• I can speak good English.
• I can't stand on my head.

In the past

Express ability in the past as follows

• I was unable to visit him.
• I couldn't eat at all when I was ill.

In the future

Express ability in the future as follows

• I will be able to buy a house when I get a good job.
• The teacher can assist you after class if you have any questions.

Things to remember:

• Can is always followed by an infinitive without "to."
  Examples:
  I can ride my bike and I can drive a car, but I can't drive a lorry.
  
• Can in the past is was able or could
  Examples:
  When I was young I was able to earn my living pretty well. Now I can't; I'm too old.
  I couldn't hear what he was saying.
  
• Can in the future is will be able.
  Example:
  When I finish my studies, I will be able to find a job.