Greetings:
First impressions are important, so here's a guide to using the right expression.
The reply to this question is normally positive.
The other person normally replies with the same greeting as you have used and then makes polite conversation, such as "How was your trip?" or "Did you find our office easily?"
- Two friends meeting:
The reply to this question is normally positive.
- "Fine thanks, and you?"
- "Fine thanks, what about yourself?"
- "Not bad." Or "Can't complain."
- Greeting people you don't know:
The other person normally replies with the same greeting as you have used and then makes polite conversation, such as "How was your trip?" or "Did you find our office easily?"
Introducing yourself:
- At an informal party:
The reply could be:
"Hi, I'm Sarah." Or "Hello Maria, I'm Sarah." Or "Nice to meet you, I'm Sarah."
- At work-related events:
Or, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Maria from British@English."
The reply could be:
- "Nice to meet you. I'm Peter Mitchell, from Mitchell Creations."
- "Pleased to meet you. I'm Peter Mitchell, from Mitchell Creations."
- "How do you do? I'm Peter Mitchell from Mitchell Creations."
Introducing other people:
- Introducing a friend to a work colleague:
- "Sarah, have you met my colleague John?"
- "Sarah, I'd like you to meet my colleague John."
Sarah says:
"Pleased to meet you, John." Or "Nice to meet you, John."
John could say:
"Nice to meet you too, Sarah." Or "Hello, Sarah."
- Introducing clients:
Mr Mitchell could then say:
"How do you do?" and Henry Lewis also says "How do you do?"
Or Mr Mitchell could say:
"Pleased to meet you." Or "Good to meet you."
Speaking Tip:
"How do you do?" is quite formal for British English speakers and the reply to this question is to repeat the phrase, "How do you do?" (as strange as that may sound!)
- At a more informal party: