Dialogue

Alice: Oh, hi Bob! Fancy meeting you here, right by the giant inflatable dinosaur.

Bob: Alice! Well, hello there! What a surprise! Are you… talking to the dinosaur?

Alice: Maybe. He’s a good listener. Just grabbing a coffee. How are you?

Bob: I’m great, thanks. You? And is that coffee for the dinosaur too?

Alice: Good, good. No, just for me! Hey, I heard a rumor that a mischievous squirrel stole your lunch?

Bob: (Dramatic sigh) It’s not a rumor, Alice. It’s a tragedy. My prize-winning peanut butter sandwich. Gone! And now I’m hungry.

Alice: Oh no! The sandwich bandit strikes again! I’m so sorry, Bob.

Bob: It’s okay. I’ll recover. Eventually.

Alice: Well, I can’t stay long. I have to go try and rescue my own prize-winning acorn from a very tiny, very fast chihuahua. Don’t ask.

Bob: A chihuahua? This day just keeps getting weirder for both of us!

Alice: Tell me about it! Well, gotta run. See you later, Bob! Hope you find another sandwich!

Bob: Bye, Alice! Good luck with the chihuahua! May your acorn be returned!

Alice: Thanks! Bye!

Bob: Later, alligator!

Alice: In a while, crocodile! (Winks and dashes off)

Current Situation

Greetings are like friendly waves or short messages we use when we meet someone or when we say goodbye. They help us start conversations and show politeness. In English, there are many ways to greet people, and some are more formal or informal than others.

For beginners, understanding basic greetings like “Hello,” “Hi,” “Goodbye,” and “Bye” is essential for everyday communication. Knowing when to use each can make your interactions much smoother and more natural. The dialogue above shows how friends use different greetings when they meet and when they part ways, often keeping it light and fun!

Key Phrases

• Hello: A common, slightly more formal way to greet someone.

  Example: “Hello, how are you today?”

• Hi: A very common and informal greeting, perfect for friends and casual situations.

  Example: “Hi, nice to see you!”

• Goodbye: A standard way to say farewell, can be used in most situations.

  Example: “Goodbye! Have a great day!”

• Bye: A more informal and common way to say goodbye, often used with friends or family.

  Example: “Bye! See you tomorrow!”

• See you later: An informal way to say goodbye when you expect to meet the person again soon.

  Example: “I’m leaving now. See you later!”

• Later: A very informal and casual way to say “see you later” or goodbye.

  Example: “Gotta go. Later!”

• Good morning: Used in the morning before noon.

  Example: “Good morning, class!”

• Good afternoon: Used in the afternoon, from noon until evening.

  Example: “Good afternoon, Mr. Smith.”

• Good evening: Used in the evening.

  Example: “Good evening, everyone.”

• Good night: Used when going to bed or when leaving someone for the night. (Note: It’s usually a farewell, not an initial greeting).

  Example: “I’m tired, I’m going to bed. Good night!”

Grammar Points

For greetings, the grammar is quite straightforward, but understanding these basic points will help you use them correctly:

• Basic Question: “How are you?”

  This is a very common greeting question. It uses the verb “to be” (“are”) with the subject “you”.

  • You are (statement) -> Are you? (question)
  • Common answers: “I’m good,” “I’m great,” “I’m fine,” “I’m okay.”
  • Remember to add “thanks” or “thank you” for politeness.
• Informal vs. Formal Greetings

  English greetings often change depending on who you’re talking to and the situation.

  • Formal/General: “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Good morning/afternoon/evening.” Use these when you don’t know someone well, in professional settings, or for general politeness.
  • Informal/Casual: “Hi,” “Bye,” “See you later,” “Later.” Use these with friends, family, or people you know well.
• Sentence Structure for Saying Goodbye (Simple)

  You can often combine “goodbye” phrases with a reason or a wish.

  • Subject + Verb: “I have to go.” / “Gotta run.” (informal for “I have got to run”)
  • Then add your farewell: “See you later!” or “Bye!”
  • Example: “I have to go. See you later!”

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the best greeting for each situation.

1. You meet your best friend in the park. “___, Anna!”
2. You are leaving work in the evening. “___, everyone! See you tomorrow.”
3. You answer the phone to an unknown number. “___?”
4. You are saying goodbye to your friend after school. “___, Max! Have a good evening.”
5. It’s 8:00 AM and you see your teacher. “___, Mr. Lee.”

Exercise 2: Match the Greeting to the Situation

Match the best greeting (1-4) for each situation (A-D).

1. Meeting a friend you haven’t seen in a while.
2. Leaving a party late at night to go home to bed.
3. A very casual farewell to a close friend.
4. Greeting someone formally in the afternoon.

1. Later!

2. Good afternoon.

3. Hi!

4. Good night.

Exercise 3: Complete the Dialogue

Fill in the missing greetings to make the dialogue natural.

Mark: ___, Emily!

Emily: ___, Mark! How are you?

Mark: I’m good, thanks. I have to go now. ___, Emily!

Emily: ___, Mark! See you soon!

Answers

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. Hi, Anna!
2. Goodbye, everyone! See you tomorrow. (Also correct: Bye)
3. Hello?
4. Bye, Max! Have a good evening. (Also correct: Goodbye, See you later)
5. Good morning, Mr. Lee.

Exercise 2: Match the Greeting to the Situation

A. 3. Hi!

B. 4. Good night.

C. 1. Later!

D. 2. Good afternoon.

Exercise 3: Complete the Dialogue

Mark: Hi, Emily!

Emily: Hello, Mark! How are you?

Mark: I’m good, thanks. I have to go now. Bye, Emily!

Emily: See you later, Mark! See you soon!