Ready-made chunks for what you want to do: disagree politely, chase a reply, hedge a claim, describe a trend. Each situation runs from informal to formal, so you can pick the one that fits who you’re talking to.
Minh! I haven't seen you since the conference in Da Nang. ?
Greeting and catching up. Tap the three from the most casual to the most formal.
0 of 3 chosen
88 phrases
Informal
It's been ages
B2spoken
Says warmly that you haven't seen or talked to someone for a long time.
How's it going?
B1spoken
A casual way to ask how someone is, or how something is going.
What have you been up to?
B2spoken
Asks what someone has been doing recently, usually after some time apart.
Look who it is!
B2spoken
A warm, playful greeting when you meet someone you know by surprise.
How's the family?
B1spoken
Asks in a friendly way about someone's partner, children or parents.
What's up?
B1spoken and written
A very casual greeting, like How are you, between friends.
How's life treating you?
B2spoken
A friendly way to ask how someone's life has been going lately.
Nice to bump into you
B1spoken
Said when you meet someone by chance and are pleased about it.
Neutral
How have you been?
B1spoken and written
Asks how someone's life has been since you last saw them.
Are you keeping well?
C1spoken and written
A polite, warm way to ask about someone's health and life.
How are you getting on?
B2spoken
Asks how someone is doing, often with something new like a job, course or home.
How was your …?
B1spoken
Opens a chat by asking about a recent holiday, weekend, trip or event.
Good to see you again
B1spokenIELTS speaking
Greets someone you have met before.
I've heard a lot about you
B2spokenIELTS speaking
A warm line when you finally meet someone others have talked about.
How are you settling in?
B2spoken
Asks how someone is adjusting to a new home, job or school.
Formal
It's a pleasure to meet you
B1spokenIELTS speaking
A polite greeting when you meet someone for the first time.
Informal
How do you know …?
B1spoken
Asks how someone is connected to the host or another guest; a safe opener at events.
Any plans for the weekend?
B1spoken
A casual question about someone's weekend, common at work on Fridays.
Lovely weather, isn't it?
B2spoken
A light comment on the weather that invites the other person to agree and chat.
Keeping busy?
B2spoken
A light, easy question that invites someone to talk about work or life.
Are you from around here?
B1spoken
Asks whether someone is local, a common way to start talking to a stranger.
Did you catch …?
B2spokenIELTS speaking
Starts small talk by asking if someone watched a match, show or event.
Small world!
B2spoken
Said when you discover a surprising connection between people or places.
Neutral
I don't think we've met
B2spoken
Politely starts a conversation with a stranger and invites them to introduce themselves.
Did you have far to come?
C1spoken
Asks politely how far someone travelled to get here; a common opener at events.
What brings you to …?
B2spoken
Asks politely why someone has come to a place or an event.
What line of work are you in?
C1spoken
Asks politely what kind of job or industry someone works in.
How are you finding …?
B2spokenIELTS speaking
Asks someone's opinion of something new to them: a city, job or course.
Have you been with the company long?
B2spoken
Asks a colleague or business contact how long they have worked there.
Have you got any holiday plans?
B1spoken
Asks about someone's plans for a break from work or study.
Have you seen anything good lately?
B1spoken
Asks if someone has watched a film or show worth recommending.
I hope you don't mind my asking, but …
C1spoken
Softens a personal question before you ask it.
Informal
I owe you one
B2spoken
Thanks a friend for a favour and promises to help them back some time.
Cheers for …
B2spoken and written
A quick, casual British way to say thanks for something.
Much appreciated
B2spoken and written
A short, friendly way to thank someone for a favour or quick help.
You shouldn't have!
B1spoken
A warm thank-you when someone gives you a gift or does something kind.
Thanks for the heads-up
B2spoken and written
Thanks someone for warning you about something before it happens.
Neutral
I really appreciate it
B1spoken and written
Thanks someone sincerely for something they did for you.
I can't thank you enough
C1spoken and written
Says your thanks are bigger than words can express, for a big favour.
Don't mention it
B1spoken
A reply to thanks that says the help was no trouble at all.
Showing 40 of 88 phrases