This exercise will help you perform below functions in everyday life in English

• greeting (new / known people)
• responding to greetings
• opening conversation
• breaking the ice
• attracting attention
• friendly enquiries
• checking up

Instruction to do the exercise:

1. Hear all reflexes in general way.
2. Pick reflexes one by one and utter it aloud 4 to 5 times.
3. Use correct pronunciation of word.
4. Use weak form while pronouncing function word.
5. Apply word linking technique.
6. Apply rhythm exercise technique. (Applicable for advanced learners only)

Group 1:

Hello there!

Hello, Sandra!

Hi!

Hello, Tom. How are you?

How’s everything?

Jacob! How nice to see you!

Look who’s here.

Hi, how’s things?

(Note: In this word group, ‘is’ is more common than ‘are’. “How’s things?”, with an ‘is’ in the middle, has become an idiomatic expression. But note this, too: “How are things?” is not rare, either. People do use “How are things?” also at times).

What a nice surprise!

Dolly! How nice to see you again!

Hi, Geetha! I haven’t seen you for quite a while.

Sharma! It’s months since I saw you!

How’s it going?

Kiran! I haven’t seen you for ages.

Hi, Manu! What are you doing here?

Hello, Anil! Where have you been lately?

Fancy meeting you here!

Ravi! Nice to see you again!

There are four points you should keep in your mind about greeting somebody:

1) The expressions “Good morning”, “Good afternoon” and “Good evening” are polite greetings and are somewhat formal.

Close friends and relations usually use “Hi” and “Hello” instead.

These are informal greetings.

2) You shouldn’t ask “How’s everything?”, “How are you/getting on?”, “How’s things?” or “How are things?” when you meet a stranger. You should use these forms of greetings only when you meet someone you already know. (See Fn.no.64 “Greeting sb you’ve just met for the first time” in Supplement 2).

3) When you greet someone who’s in poor health, you often use one of the following forms:

“Hello, I hope you are well.”

“Hello, Jim, how are you feeling today?”

“Hi, aunty, how are you these days?”

4) You should say “Nice to meet you” only when you greet someone you meet for the first time. If you want to use this structure to greet someone you already know, use the word “see” in place of “meet”. That is, you must say “Nice to see you”.

Group 2: Introducing people and responding to introductions

You’ll get a clear idea about both these functions from the following exchanges:

1)You: Dileep, I’d like you to meet Mr. Arora. He’s our electrical contractor.

Dileep: (To Arora) How do you do?

Arora: (To Dileep) How do you do? (Formal)

2)You: Dileep, this is Arun. He’s the person I was telling you about yesterday. Arun, Dileep is one of my best friends.

Dileep: (To Arun) Hi!

Arun: (To Dileep) Hi! (Informal)

3)You: Dileep, I don’t think you’ve met Arun. Arun, this is Dileep.

Dileep: (To Arun) Hello!

Arun: (To Dileep) Hello! (Neutral)

3) You: Dileep, do you know Arun? He’s my cousin.

Dileep: No, we haven’t met. (To Arun) Hello!

Arun: (To Dileep) Nice to meet you, Dileep.

4) You: Dileep, meet Arun. He works with me.

Dileep: (To Arun) Hello, Arun!

Arun: Hi, there!

5) You: Dileep, have you met Arun? Arun is my business partner.

He knows you.

Dileep: (To Arun) Pleased to meet you.

Arun: (To Dileep) The pleasure is mine.

6) You: Dileep, Mr. Chatterji — Sushma’s father.

Dileep: (To Chatterji) Mr. Chatterji. How nice!

Chatterji: (To Dileep) Glad to meet you.

7) Anil: (To Ramesh) Hello, how do you do? My name is Sharma

— Anil Sharma.

Ramesh: (To Anil) Pleased to meet you, Mr. Sharma. I’m

Saxena — Ramesh Saxena.

8) Anil: (To Madhu) Hello, I’m Anil — Anil Sharma.

Madhu: (To Anil) hello, I’m Madhu — Madhu Mukherji.

9) Anil: You’re Madhu, aren’t you? My name is Anil. I’m your

next-door neighbour.

Madhu: Hello, Anil. Nice to meet you.

10) Anil: My name is Anil. What’s yours?

Madhu: Madhu — Madhu Mukherji.

11) Anil: Nice to meet you, Madhu!

Madhu: Nice to meet you.

Here’s something you should remember: You shouldn’t use “How do you do?” to greet someone you already know. No. You should only use this word group (“How do you do?”) when you want to greet someone you’ve met for the first time. Normally, you use this word group after both you and the other person get introduced to each other. Here’s an important point you should remember while using this expression: “How do you do?” is not a question — least of all, a question that seeks an answer about the health or well-being of the addressee. It’s only a phrase that simply means “I greet you, stranger”. The addressee often responds to this greeting with the same greeting “How do you do?”

X: How do you do? 〜 Y: How do you do?

The addressee may also respond to “How do you do?” with one of these expressions: “Pleased to meet you”, “Glad to meet you” or “Nice to meet you.”

So if the stranger you’re introduced to greets you with a “How do you do?”, never acknowledge the greeting with a reply like “Fine, thanks”, “Pretty well, thanks, and you?”, etc. You must always keep this point in mind.

Now let me clear up a doubt that some of you may perhaps have: What I’ve said just now doesn’t mean that you cannot use “How are you?” to greet a stranger. No. In fact, you can use both “How are you?” and “How do you do?” to greet a stranger when somebody introduces him to you, especially if the situation is not formal. Yes, you can use “How are you?”, to greet a stranger as well as a person you already know. But you can use “How do you do?” only to greet a stranger, and not to greet a person you already know. Understand this difference in convention.

Group 3: Introducing a conversational topic

Have you heard? (Sushil has got a promotion).

Haven’t you heard? (Rahul and Priya are getting married!).

Have you heard about last night’s party?

Do you want to know something? (They’ve vowed never to discuss the subject again).

Guess what? (They divided the money fifty-fifty).

You know something? (Murthy offered her a lift, and she refused it).

Look, have you seen the news?

Have you heard the news?

I’ve got something I must tell you.

Do you know? (I think there’ll be a token woman on the committee).

I’ll tell you what. (Let’s go to the cinema tonight).

You know, a strange thing happened to me yesterday.

Have you heard what happened?

Do you know? It’s incredible (Jose says he saw the boss with Laila in Bangalore).

Sad about Choudhari, isn’t it?

You know what? (We’re out of touch with what’s going on).

Did you hear about Sunil’s PA?

Look, I’ve got a great idea. Why don’t we go for a picnic tomorrow?

There’s something I want to tell you.

Did you watch television last night?

A very strange thing happened to me on my way home yesterday.

Look, Sita, I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We’ll...

You know Gopal, (I think you’ll like Linda — she’s quite a personality).

I know what. (We’ll go for a walk).

Isn’t it funny? (He hasn’t sent us a letter so far).

Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Raju, I’m afraid I’ve got something to tell you.

Vinod, what about this for an idea? (Let’s go and watch the match first, and then...).

Let me tell you what happened to me one day.

Well, do you know, they say the country is in a recession.

Isn’t it strange? (His father never talks at meals).

I don’t quite know how to put this. (You see, she doesn’t want to get married right now. It’s not that she doesn’t want to get married to you. No, that isn’t the thing).

Group 4:

1. 1. “How are you?”
   2. “How’s things?”
   3. “How’s everything?”
   4. “How’s it going?”

Structurally, they’re all questions. But they’re all greetings, too. In fact, pragmatically, a question like this is more a greeting than a question. Yes, it’s a greeting in the first place, and a question only in the second place. Normally, it’s from someone you already know, rather than from a person you meet for the first time, that you get a greeting of this kind.

The most common responses to these greetings are:

“Fine, thanks. And how are/about you?”

“Very well, thanks. And how are/about you?”

You can answer other greetings like “Hi”, “Hello”, etc. with a return “Hi” or “Hello”. Or you can use a combination of a “Hi” (or “Hello”) and one of the other greetings. For example, you can say:

“Hi, what a nice surprise!”

“Hello, Alfredo! Fancy meeting you here!”

Group 5:

Please give my regards to your father, will you?

Don’t forget to remember me to Ashok.

Say hello to Rekha.

Give my best wishes to your mother.

Give my love to the children.

Give my regards to Julia.

Please remember me to Sumitra.

Group 6:

You played very well.

Do you play often?

Say, you spoke very well.

I agree with you — more and more people must be encouraged to become self-employed.

(At a bus-stop): Are you waiting for the 107?

It’s a bit late today, isn’t it?

I like your shoes. Where did you buy them?

Very cold, isn’t it?

She sings very well, don’t you think so?

These queues are awful, aren’t they?

Nice party, isn’t it?

We haven’t met, have we? I’m Tilak — Tilak Iyer.

Over here on business, are you?

That’s a Perry Mason novel, isn’t it? How do you like it?

There seems to be some delay. They haven’t announced the flight, have they?

Very cold in here, isn’t it?

What miserable weather!

Very cold again.

Forgive me for asking, but where did you get that dress?

The traffic seems to get worse every day, doesn’t it?

You’re Nisha’s cousin, aren’t you?

Terrible rain again.

The music is pretty good, isn’t it?

Lovely day, isn’t it?

You’re related to Ashok, aren’t you?

Is this seat taken?

The views from here are lovely, aren’t they? Especially, the view of those mountains.

Are you going far?

How far are you going?

Oh, that reminds me. Has he given you the key of the house?

Now then, where has Ravi gone?

Have you closed the door?

Right, pull that chair and sit down.

Talking of money, has Tom paid back the bank loan?

Now listen! I have a plan.

Right, what time is it now?

Okay then, are we all ready to go?

Oh by the way, tomorrow is a holiday, isn’t it?

All right then, I’ll see you tomorrow.

Right then, do we still have time to go for a film?

Now, let me think.

Speaking of marriage, did you know Rahul is going to marry Madhu?

Now, who’d like some more porridge?

Now then, are we all ready to go?

He’ll easily find another job.

Incidentally, where’s his brother now?

Right then, what was I saying?

All right then, let’s remove this from here.

Well now, are there any questions?

Group 7:

Have you seen this?

Look between those two tall buildings.

Look at that.

Here’s the book you were looking for.

May I show you something?

There it is!

Look at that blue dress on display in the window.

Have you seen that?

What about this, then?

Here comes the bus.

Look at this.

Let me show you our album.

Look right where I am pointing.

Look at this picture.

What about that?

Look, here it is.

Is this the book she asked for?

Group 8:

Where have you been lately?

What are you doing these days?

How are you getting on at work?

How’s the family?

Has your headache gone yet?

I haven’t seen you for quite a while.

How are you settling down in the new place?

What have you been doing since we last met?

I see you’ve got a new scooter...

How are you enjoying your new job?

I hear you’ve got a new car.

Is Julia all right?

Do you cook your meals yourself?

Did you have a good flight?

Do you have any idea what happened to Jack?

How was Goa?

How are you getting along these days?

Have you got any children?

How’s your business going, Ajai?

What is your new job like?

I’m a ‘Gemini’. What sign are you? Virgo?

Tell me about your work.

How is he getting on at school?

You live in the city or on the outskirts?

Where has Tina been this past week?

What are you studying there?

I heard Veena’s father is laid up in bed. Did you have a good outing?

I heard your mother had been ill quite recently. How’s she now?

How long have you been living there?

What’s your brother doing nowadays?

How are you finding life as a nurse?

How are you enjoying your stay in Bangalore?

Did you have a nice journey?

I hear Susan has had a baby...

What’s in that bag?

I thought you were in Baroda.

Tell me what you’ve done.

Do you play any sports?

Where did you buy this sari?

Did you have a good time in Kochi?

How are your parents?

Did everything go off all right?

Neetha speaks about you often.

How are you settling down at your new job?

Did you enjoy the film?

I understand Praveen has gone abroad again?

Do you like your new place?

It’s a town, isn’t it?

What’s new?

Are you going to make a career in teaching?

Whereabouts do you live?

What’s Pune like as a place?

I haven’t seen your father for a long time. How is he?

Have you gained some weight, Harry?

What exactly does your new job involve?

What do you do, Mr. Barua? Are you in the textile business?

I hope all is well with you.

Where was it you went to school?

What’s Suman doing now?

What does his work consist of exactly?

What sort of holiday did you have?

Group 9:

All question-tags help you check up facts, agreements etc. (See: Fluency in asking question)

Group 10:

See this dress?

How does it look?

What do you think of my hair style?

Do you think so?

What’s it about my hairstyle that’s bad?

Look at this antique vase. Don’t you think it’s beautiful?

How about its shape?

Do you like my new sari?

What’s it about my sari that makes me look good?

I think this shirt suits me. Don’t you?

I don’t understand. What’s it about my shirt that makes me look bad?

Group 11:

Bye!

Bye-bye!

Goodbye!

I must hurry, otherwise I’m going to be late.

Well, bye then, Iqbal!

See you!

Goodbye for now!

I am terribly sorry, but I have to go now!Well, I must be off!

It’s getting late. We have to leave now.

I must hurry. I’m really pressed for time.

I’ll see you next week!

I’m sorry, but I’ve really got to go!

So long!

I’m afraid I must be going. It’s getting dark.

I must fly! I have an engagement now.

Cheers! I’m glad to have seen you, Gupta!

See you again soon!

Well, it’s been a real pleasure to talk to you.

See you then, Suresh!

Please excuse me, won’t you? I’ve got to be going now.

Until next week, then! Bye!

See you in the evening!

Bye, everybody!

I think I have to go now. I’m in quite a hurry.

So long! Take care!

Well, I had better be going!

Well, I must be off, then!

Oh, Raju, is that the time? I really must be going!

See you again sometime. Bye now!

Good night!

I’m afraid I must think about going now.

Take care. Bye!

Take care of yourself!

Bye-bye, all!

I must dash!

Well, it was really nice talking to you!

I’m glad we were able to have this little chat together.

Goodbye, everyone!

Here ae two points you must remember:

1.      You must use the following word groups only when you take leave of someone you’ve met for the first time (and not when you take leave of someone you already know):

• It’s been nice knowing you.

• It’s been nice meeting you.

• I’m glad to have met you.

• Nice to have met you.

2.      “Good day!” is an old-fashioned and formal expression. Avoid it. Use “Have a nice day!” instead.

Group 12:

I’m sorry you have to go now.

Goodbye, uncle! I hope you have a good week-end!

So long, then!

Thanks for coming.

Look after yourself.

Thank you very much for coming to see us.

Must you go so soon?

But you’ve only just come!

Bye! Have a good trip!

I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay.

It was pleasant to talk to each other again.

It’s only 9.00. Why don’t you stay for some more time?

Goodbye, then! See you next time!

I hope we can get together again.

I’ll be looking forward to seeing you again.

Don’t forget to write.

Come on, you don’t have to go already, do you?

See you later.

But there’s still plenty of time.

Have a good week-end!

I’ve got to leave in a few minutes, too.

Come back soon.

At least, stay till 10.00.

Bye! Have a good time.

It was nice to have seen you!

Don’t forget to look us up next time you’re here.

Bye! Have a good journey!

Can I come in?

May I have a word with you, sir?

If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a smoke.

I’d like to stay behind for some time, if you have no objection.

Would you mind if I smoked?

Could I see you for a moment?

It’s very hot in here. Can I open the window?

Do you mind if I use your phone?

Could I possibly take the car?

Would you let me take it home for a day?

Can I go too?

Would you object if I took my dog inside?

You don’t mind if I’m a bit late tomorrow, do you?

Would it be all right if I brought him in now?

Can I go with you?

Have you any objection to my leaving it here?

I don’t suppose anybody’d mind if I opened the window?

Is it all right to stay up till midnight?

I wonder if I could borrow this book for a few days?

I may be a little late tomorrow — I suppose you don’t mind that.

Is it all right if I join the train at Pune?

How is that work progressing?

Are you making good progress with that work?

Group 13:

How’s the new job going?

Any progress?

How are you getting on with this work?

How’s your son doing at school?

How far has that work progressed?

Is she making good progress with her studies?

How’s your work getting on?

Is that work progressing very well?

I’m dying to see how the work is getting along.

How’s he progressing in his studies?

How far have you got with the work?

Is she making good progress with her mathematics?

Haven’t you finished yet? You’ve taken ages.

How has she been doing?

How are you feeling today?

Doctor, how is that patient progressing?

Is your work going well?

How’s he getting on at school?

Has your headache gone yet?

I couldn’t go to the hospital.

Is he making good progress?

How are you getting on with your new job?

Is there any progress in the reconciliation talks?

Can you turn the radio down? It’s a bit loud.

Would you open the window, please?

Could you tidy up my room, please?

Can you possibly help me?

Will you help me with my bags, please?

Can I have a glass of hot water, do you think?

Can you hold this a second?

Do you think you could possibly do it for me?

I’ve got a bit of a problem. Could you possibly do me a favour?

Give me a hand, Kumar, will you?

Excuse me, have you got a match?

Could you hang out the washing?

Please help me.

Could I see the menu, please?

Can you turn the sound up a bit, please?

Do you have change for a 100-rupee note?

If you’re going out, would you mind getting me a packet of milk?

Could you pass the salt, please?

Have you got a light, please?

If you don’t mind, I would like you to do something for me.

Can you ask Mridula to give me a ring tomorrow?

Can you help me a minute, please?

Can you iron these clothes?

Are you going past the post office?

Can you drop this letter in the mail box, please?

The phone’s ringing. Can you get it?

Could I borrow your pen?

Group 14:

Could you dust the furniture?

How about making me a cup of coffee?

Could you possibly lend me some money?

Can you give Faizal a message, please?

Could you move forward a bit?

Would you please ask him to come?

Have you finished with the salt?

I’d like to look at some shirts, please.

Could you do me a favour?

Could you possibly change this 100-rupee note for me, please?

Do you think you could put in a word for me, please?

Could you move your head a little? I can’t see.

Could I have a glass of water, please?

Are you going to the post office? Could you get me a few envelopes, please?

I need some help.

Sorry to bother you, but can I have a sheet of paper?

I was wondering if you could lend me that book for a few days.

Can you write that down for me, please?

Can I ask you to do me a favour?

Turn the radio down, will you?

Turn the volume down, will you?

Turn the volume up, will you?

You couldn’t give me a lift into town, could you?

I was wondering if you could lend me some money.

You don’t mind waiting for a minute, do you?

Could you drop me on the corner there, please?

Look, I’ve got a problem.

It’s impossible, I’m afraid.

Well, actually, it’s a bit difficult.

I’m not sure that I can do that.

I’m afraid I can’t help you.

I’m afraid I haven’t much time today.

That wouldn’t be very convenient just at the moment.

I’m terribly sorry, but I prefer not to.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it.

Any other time, perhaps, but not now.

I prefer not to get involved, if you don’t mind.

I can’t see myself doing it, really.

That’s out of the question.

I’m awfully sorry, but I can’t actually.

Look, I’m rather reluctant to do it, really.

I’m not sure that I want to do that.

Well, it’s a bit difficult, I’m sorry.

I’d like to help you, but I can’t.

I’m sorry, but I need it myself.

I’d rather not do that, if you don’t mind.

I absolutely refuse to do it.

Hang on a minute. (Let me get my breath back.)

Wait here. (I’ll be back in a few minutes.)

Would you wait there a minute, please?

One moment. (I’ve just about finished.)

Group 15:

Wait until the rain stops.

Just wait here, please.

Hold on. (I’ll be with you in a minute.)

Hang on. (I haven’t finished yet.)

Wait a while. (I’ll be ready in a second or two.)

Just a minute (I’m nearly ready).

Could you wait a minute, please? (I’ll see if he’s in.)

Wait a second, please.

Hang on a minute. (He’s on another line right now.)

Can you wait a minute?

Just a moment, please. I won’t be long.

Wait a second. (I’m just coming.)

Kindly wait here, please. (I’ll see if he’s free.)

Would you mind waiting for a moment?

Wait a bit. (I’ll soon be ready.)

Anything wrong?

You’re very quiet today.

Is something wrong?

Are you worried?

You look rather pale, Sandra. What’s wrong?

What’s on your mind?

Is everything all right?

What seems to be the problem?

What’s worrying you?

You sound worried. What’s the matter?

You look terrible. What’s wrong?

You’re afraid, aren’t you?

You look upset. What’s wrong?

Something wrong, is there?

What seems to be the trouble?

Are you frightened?

You don’t look cheerful, Priya. Anything the matter?

What is it? You look really fed up.

Is anything the matter?

Is anything wrong?

You look all in, Nisha.

You don’t look well today. Is anything wrong?

What’s the matter?

Are you all right?

What’s wrong with you?

Is there something wrong?

What’s the matter?

What’s the matter with you?