Basic Forms of Greetings and Expressions Used in English

A greeting is simply a way of saying hello to someone. In English language, there are greetings which can be used in both formal and informal situations. 

Good morning!

We can use “Good morning” to greet someone when we meet them in the morning time. We can use this greeting in both formal and informal ways.

Example:

Formal – “Good Morning Sir! May I come in?

Informal – Mary: “Good morning Sam. Where are you going?”

                   Sam:  “Good morning Mary. I am going to the shop.”

Good afternoon!

We can use “Good afternoon” to greet someone when we meet them in the noon. We can use this greeting in both formal and informal ways.

Example:

Formal – “Good Afternoon Sir! May I leave now?”

Informal – Mary: “Good afternoon Sam. Where are you going?”

                   Sam:   “Good afternoon Mary. I am going to meet a friend.

Good evening!

We can use “Good evening” to greet someone when we meet them in the evening. We can use this greeting in both formal and informal ways.

Example:

Formal – “Good evening Sir! I appreciate your arrival”

Informal – Mary: “Good evening Sam. After a long time.”

                Sam:   “Good evening Mary. Yeah. I was in England for last few months.”

Good night!

Note: We can’t use “Good night” as a salutation. We use “Good night”, when we leave someone in the night, or before we go to the bed in the night.

Example: 

  • Mary: “Sam, I’m going to sleep now. Good night.”
  • Sam:  “Good night Mary.”

Nice to meet you.

This is a very formal way to greet someone when you meet them for the first time in life. Normally, the same greeting is offered by the person you are greeting.

Example: 

  • Mary: “Hello, I’m Mary. Nice to meet you.”
  • Sam:  “Hey! I’m Sam. Nice to meet you too.”

Hello!

Hello is used to greet someone when we meet them at any time anywhere. It is also used at the moment when a person starts to talk to someone over the phone.

Example:

  • Mary: “Hello, Sam! Can I talk to you now?”
  • Sam:  “Hello, Mary! Yes, you are. So, what’s up?” 

(Beginning of a telephone conversation)

Hi

We use “Hi” as a friendly greeting in greeting someone. It is an informal way of greeting.

Example:

  • Mary: “Hi, Sam. How are you?”
  • Sam:  “Hi Mary! I’m fine. And how are you?”

How do you do?

This is a formal way to ask someone the same question “How are you?”. We use this to check on the closest people in our lives.

Example: 

  • Mary: “Hi, Sam. How do you do?”
  • Sam:  “I’m fine Mary, thanks. And you?”

What’s up?

This is a greeting method that we use both in physical conversations and also in text messaging. This is not a formal way of greeting. This can be used with friends and some people whom we are familiar with.

Example: 

  • Mary: “Hi, Sam. What’s up?”
  • Sam:  “Hey Mary. I’m doing great, Thanks. And you?”

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