Here is a collection of common English phrases to say when meeting people.
Useful greetings when meeting people
Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship or social status between individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other.
1. Formal greetings
- Welcome to London.
- Good morning. / Good afternoon. / Good evening.
- Nice to meet you / Pleased to meet you.
- How have you been?
- Say hello to Tom.
- How do you do.
2. Informal greetings
- Hello. / Hi.
- Goodbye. / Bye-bye.
- See you.
- Cheers.
- Good to see you. / Nice to see you.
- How's everything? / How are things? / How's life?
- How are you doing? / How's it going?
- What's up? / What's new? / What's going on?
- How's your day? / How's your day going?
- Nice to see you. / It's great to see you. / Good to see you.
- Long-time no see / It's been a while What's up?
3. Slang greetings
- Yo!
- What's up?
- Are you OK? / You alright? / Alright mate?
- Sup / Whazzup?
- Heyyy.
- G'day mate!
- Hiya!
4. British greetings
- Lovely to meet you / Lovely to see you
- Are you OK?
- Alright, mate? / Alright?
- Hiya!
- What's the craic?
5. Funny greetings
- Ahoy!
- Hello stranger!
- ‘Ello, gov'nor!
- Goodmorrow!
- What’s crackin’?
- What's up buttercup?
- Howdy!
Phrases for asking questions
I think, you'll need to know how to ask questions in English when meeting people to be curious.
1. Polite questions and answer
- How are you?
- I'm great. / I'm fine.
- How are you doing?
- I'm doing well.
- How have you been?
- I've been doing very well.
- How's your day going so far?
- My day has been pretty good so far.
- How's it going?
- Not too bad.
- How are things?
- Things are really good.
2. General polite questions
- Do you mind…?.
- Would you mind…?
- Could I…?
- Would it be ok if…?
- Would it be possible…?
- Would you be willing to…?
- Excuse me, when does the bus leave?
- Excuse me, what time is it?
- Pardon me, which form do I need?
- Pardon me, may I sit here?
Making introducing when meeting people
For a good introduction in English, you need to practice in advance. As an English learner, it’s a good idea to prepare a couple of introductions and practice them until you’re comfortable with them.
1. Introducing 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 ...
2. Introducing 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.
3. Introducing yourself or other
- Nice to meet you.
- Pleased to meet you.
- Happy to meet you.
- How do you do?
Sayings for thanks when meeting people
Writing or saying a thank-you in different situations is a lovely gesture to express your appreciation, as well as your gratitude for the support someone has provided you.
- You're the best.
- I’m humbled and grateful.
- You knocked me off my feet!
- My heart is still smiling.
- Your thoughtfulness is a gift I will always treasure.
- Sometimes the simplest things mean the most.
- The banana bread was fabulous. You made my day.
- I'm touched beyond words.
- All I can say is wow! (Except, of course, I'm grateful.)
- My heart just keeps thanking you and thanking you.
- You're a blessing to me.
- Thank you for being my angel.
2. Formal situations
- I'm so grateful for… / I'm so thankful for… / Many thanks for…
- I truly appreciate… / Thank you ever so much for… / It's so kind of you to…
- Thank you for going through the trouble to… / Thank you for taking the time to…
- I'm eternally grateful for… / I cannot thank you enough for… / I want you to know how much I value… / Words cannot describe how grateful I am for… / Please accept my deepest thanks for…
- Thank you for your assistance with… / Thank you for your attention to this matter.
- Your support is greatly appreciated. / I'd like to express my/our appreciation for… / Thank you for your kind consideration.
3. Informal situations
- Thank you. / Thanks so much. / Thanks a lot. / Thanks a bunch. / Thanks a ton. / Thanks!
- I really appreciate it. / You shouldn’t have.
- I don’t know what to say! / That’s very kind.
- You’re the best. / I owe you one. / You rock.
- What would I do without you? / To say thank you is not enough. / I can’t thank you enough.
Congratulations and best wishes
Here are some common phrases and expressions you can use to express congratulations and best wishes when meeting people in English.
1. Expressing congratulations
- Congratulations!
- Great!
- Well done!
- Please accept my warmest congratulations…
- Let me offer you my congratulations.
- I'd like to congratulate you on …
- Let me congratulate you on. ..
- Congratulations on your promotion!
- Congratulations on your graduation!
- Congratulations! You deserve it!
- That was excellent. Congratulations!
2. Good wishes
- Best wishes!
- Best wishes on your new job!
- Best of luck!
- Good luck to you!
- All the best…
- Wish you a happy married life.
3. General congratulations:
- Congratulations on…
- I wish you the best of luck and every success in...
- I wish you every success in…
- We would like to send you our congratulations on…
- Well done on…
- Well done.
- We knew you could do it.
- Congrats!
Ways to say goodbye
Your talk endings matter. They show body language, interpretation, and intent in your talk.
- Have a great day!
- Have a good one!
- Have a good evening,
- Have a great weekend!
- Here’s to a great (day of the week)!
- Enjoy the rest of your day!
- Hope you have a nice day,
- Enjoy the rest of your week,
- Cheers!
- Be well
2. Warm closings
- Warmly,
- Love,
- With love,
- Lots of love,
- Love always,
- Much love to you,
- Love and thanks,
- Warmest thanks,
- Beyond grateful,
- Feeling spoiled,
- Gratefully,
- With gratitude,
- Blessings,
- God bless,
- God bless you,
- God bless you now and always,
- Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou,
3. To express gratitude
- Much appreciated!
- Many thanks!
- Thanks / Thank you for your consideration,
- Thanks / Thank you for taking the time,
- Thanks / Thank you very much,
- Thanks / Thank you for your efforts,
- Thanks / Thank you for your work on this,
- Thanks a ton,
- Thanks a bunch,
- Thanks for reading,
- Thanks a million!
- My sincere appreciation/gratitude/thanks,
- I appreciate your (help, work, dedication, guidance, advice, etc.)
- I sincerely appreciate ….,
- My sincere appreciation/gratitude/thanks,
- My thanks and appreciation,
- Please accept my deepest thanks,
- Thank you for everything you do,
- Thanks for being awesome!
- Much obliged,
- I owe you one,
- Appreciatively,
- Your help and support is greatly appreciated,
- With gratitude,
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