Functioning in English: An Intermediate-Plus Review of Everyday Functional English Expressions

FUNCTIONING IN ENGLISH

INDEX OF THEMES

Module 1

INTRODUCTIONS, GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS THANKING PEOPLE AND RESPONDING TO THANKS

A. INTRODUCTIONS AND GREETINGS

With all functional language, there are different grades of formality. Look at the difference between these two dialogues :

The standard phrase for a first meeting in English is How do you do ? And the standard reply is a repetition of the same phrase How do you do? Mr Ford asks permission to introduce himself with May I … ? but he could also have used a more direct form and said Let me introduce myself. At the end, to reduce the formality, he asks Mr Debbings to call him by his first name.

In dialogue 2, Mr Grant approaches Mr Huber with another common phrase:

I don't think we've met. Another possibility is I don't think we know each other. Mr Huber's reply is another standard English phrase in introductions and greetings - Pleased to meet you. Other possibilities are: Nice to meet you, A pleasure to meet you or I'm glad to meet you at last.

In an informal situation, or with people you have already met before, the dialogues could be:

Notice how the style changes in an informal situation, because in English we don't make any difference between tú and usted, (or tu and vous in French) only having you for both formal and informal situations. In Dialogue 4 the two could simply state their names without the I'm …

B. INTRODUCING A THIRD PERSON

If we want to introduce a third person, two typical dialogues would be :

In dialogue 6 John Kenning is the one who starts using Mason's first name to reduce formality, and follows with a very informal question to open the conversation. When Mary Porter is introduced to Ken Vickers, her boss could also ask • May I introduce … ? or say I'd like to introduce …

A standard basic introduction of two people in English is as simple as. John, this is Mary. Mary, this is John.

C. FAREWELLS

When it's time to part and say goodbye, we can make polite reference to the future, or in general simply to say what a pleasant experience it was. Look at these dialogues:

First formally:

GLOSSARY

To help remember the most common phrases, here is a list. Choose a selection which could become your personal favourites and write your own language translation beside each one.

EXERCISE 1 Place the sentences in order in this dialogue of meeting and greeting:

……    How do you do, Mr Currie.

……    Well, you can call me Chris.

……    Not too bad, thanks.

……    Mr Green, this is John Currie, my assistant.

……    Pleased to meet you, Mr Green .

…1…  I don't think you've met my assistant.

……    And please call me John.

……    John, this is Mr Green from our Paris office.

……    Thanks. How's business in Paris, Chris ?

……    Let me introduce you.

EXERCISE 2 Complete the dialogue with suitable phrases from the list

how's life / Hello again / Hi / it has been a long time / Fine, thanks / Very well / Do you know / And you / I don't think we've met / How do you do / Hello / Not too bad / Pleased to meet you / How are things / I haven't seen you

A :   ……………………., Bill. …………………………. for ages.

B :   …….. there, Frank. Yes, ……………………………… , hasn't it ?

A :   ……………………….. in your part of the world?

B:   ………………………   ……………………….?

A :   ……………………………….. at the moment.

B:   …………………………… Ann?

A :   No, Bill. ……………………….   ……………………. , Ann ?

C:   …………………., Frank.

B :   Ann is from Edinburgh.

A :   Ah, ………………………… in Scotland these days, Ann ?

C :   …………………………., thanks. A bit cold though.

D. THANKING PEOPLE AND RESPONDING TO THANKS

Again there are differences in formality which must be shown by changes in structure, vocabulary and style, from an informal Thanks to a more formal Thank you very much. You've been very kind. Responding to thanks can also vary according to the situation. It depends on who you are speaking to, and what you are thanking them for.

Look at these four dialogues and assess the formality in each one:

GLOSSARY

To help remember the most common phrases, here is a list. Choose a selection which could become your personal favourites and write your own language translation beside each one.

EXERCISE 3