Saying Hello and Introducing Yourself (2024)

Here is a list of essential phrases to say hello, introduce yourself, and introduce other people to each other.

(Our page English greetings has more phrases.)

Saying hello

Here’s a typical conversation structure.

A: Say “Hi!”, “Hello!” and follow with a phrase like “How are you?” or “How are things?”

B: Answer with a phrase like “Fine” and ask A a similar question.

A: Reply

Here’s an example:

A: Hi Suzie. How are you?
B: Fine thanks. And you?
A. Yeah, fine thanks.

“Fine”, “Fine thanks”, “OK”, “OK thanks” all mean the same.
“I’m very well, thanks” is more formal.
“Not bad thanks”, “Can’t complain” are less positive.

In formal situations, you can also say “Good morning”, “Good afternoon” and “Good evening”.

“Good morning” = for the morning up to lunch.
“Good afternoon” = for the afternoon until early evening (i.e. around 6pm)
“Good evening” = for the rest of the evening
“Good night” = when you leave a person at the end of the evening, or when you go to bed.

Introducing yourself

Here are some simple phrases you can use.

“I’m …” (your first name / first name + surname)
“My name is …” (your first name / first name + surname)

Introducing other people

“This is… (name of your friend).”

Now give more information about the person.

“He’s a friend of mine.”
“He’s a friend of my brother.”
“He’s a colleague.”
“She’s my cousin.”

Example conversations

A: “John, this is Paul. He’s a friend of mine.”
B: “Hi Paul. Nice to meet you.”
Paul: “Good to meet you John.”

Deborah: “This is Sally. She’s my cousin.”
B: “Hi Sally. Pleased to meet you.”
Sally: “Pleased to meet you too.”

Saying Hello

Choose the correct answer.

Practise your listening!

Listen to five conversations. You can also read the tapescript as you listen.

Conversation 1: Greeting a friend

Hey Clare!
Hi! How are you?
Great thanks. You?

Conversation 2: Replying to a friendly greeting

Hi! How are you?
I’m fine thanks. And you?
Yeah, I’m fine.

Conversation 3

Peter?
Hey! How’s it going?
Yeah, great.

Conversation 4

Hi. How are you?
Mmm, not bad thanks. What about yourself?
Yeah, can’t complain.

Conversation 5: Formal greeting

Good morning Clare. How are you?
I’m very well thank you, Mr Jones. How are you?
Yes, very well…”]

As an expert in language and communication, I have a deep understanding of the concepts presented in the provided article on English greetings and introductions. My expertise is demonstrated by my ability to analyze and explain the intricacies of language usage and social interactions.

Let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:

Greetings:
- The article suggests using common phrases like "Hi!" or "Hello!" followed by inquiries such as "How are you?" or "How are things?" This creates a typical conversation structure.
- Responses to greetings include phrases like "Fine," "OK," "OK thanks," "I'm very well, thanks" (more formal), "Not bad thanks," and "Can't complain" (less positive).
- In formal situations, alternative greetings like "Good morning," "Good afternoon," and "Good evening" are recommended, with specific time frames for each.
Introducing Yourself:
- Individuals can introduce themselves using phrases like "I'm..." followed by their first name or first name and surname.
- In formal situations, both the first name and surname are given, while in informal situations, only the first name is provided.
- Common responses to introductions include "Pleased to meet you," "Nice to meet you," or "Good to meet you."
Introducing Others:
- When introducing someone else, one can simply say, "This is..." followed by the person's name.
- Additional information about the person can be shared, such as their relationship ("He's a friend of mine," "She's my cousin," etc.).
Example Conversations:
- The article provides sample conversations to illustrate the application of the introduced phrases and concepts. These examples cover greetings, self-introductions, and introducing others in both formal and informal settings.
Listening Practice:
- The article includes audio clips for five conversations, allowing readers to practice listening to the greetings and responses. The conversations range from casual to formal, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

By understanding and applying these concepts, individuals can effectively navigate social interactions in English, whether in casual or formal settings. My extensive knowledge in linguistics and communication allows me to provide insights into the nuances of these language dynamics.