Phrases for Conversation Starters & Greetings
I was
wondering if – this is a beautiful way to strike up a conversation with
someone you might know, yet you haven’t spoken to them too often. Typically it
would be some occasion when you get to meet your work colleagues and talk about
something else other than work-related matters!
Sorry to
bother you – this starter phrase is pretty universal and can be used in a
lot of situations – ranging from chatting up strangers on the street when
asking for directions and ending with addressing a busy co-worker when
approaching them for advice!
Excuse me,
would you happen to know – this is another one of those phrases you can use
when asking people for advice in pretty much any life situation – be it when
trying to find the nearest grocery shop or when navigating a new building
you’re visiting for the first time.
What you
been up to lately? – This is a great English small talk phrase used to
inquire what the other person has been doing lately. You’ll probably notice
that there’s something wrong with the way the sentence is constructed – it
should really say “What HAVE you been up to lately?” – But guess what? It’s
typical to leave out words in spoken English, and as a matter of fact, when you
speak in real life, this phrase sounds more like “Watch you bin up to lately?”
Try it – and you’ll realize that you sound WAY MORE native.
How are you
getting on? – Just another way of saying ‘how are you?’
Conversation Starter English Small Talk Phrases
You doing
OK? – asked when the person has had some tough experience recently and you
want to ask politely if they’re OK.
Hi, …!
What’s new? – this is a very informal way of greeting a close friend or
anyone who you see on a regular basis and you want to ask has anything happened
since you last met.
Hi, …!
What’s up? – the same as above with a difference that you’re probably not
that interested in what news the other person might have.
Hi, …! Long
time no see! – used when you haven’t seen the person for a long period of
time and you want to state that fact in the greeting.
Hi, …! Have
you been keeping busy? – Just a standard enquiry with little or no direct
meaning.
Do you mind
me asking…? – A typical way of asking something that might be a slightly
personal question.
OK, here’s
the thing … – a very handy way to start making your point if you’re not
sure how to begin the sentence.
Is
everything OK? – This is what you’d say to a person when you see that
they’re distressed and obviously not OK. Normally you’d ask this to a close
friend or a work colleague – but you can also say this to a stranger you meet
in the street and if it’s obvious that that person needs help.