Formal and Informal Speaking Tips
Learn about formal, less formal, and informal speaking formulas in English conversations.
Greeting Someone
- Informal:
- Morning! (Good morning!)
- Hello, there! (Hello)
- Hello, everybody! (Hello, everyone)
- Evening! (Good evening)
- Afternoon! (Good afternoon)
- Less Formal:
- You are just the person I want to see! (Nice to see you)
- Good to see you!
- Formal:
- Good morning!
- Good evening!
- Good afternoon!
Starting a Conversation
- Informal:
- Warm, isn’t it? (Nice weather, isn’t it?)
- Hot, isn’t it?
- Hello!
- Less Formal:
- Windy, isn’t it?
- Today is a terrible day, isn’t it?
- Starting to snow, isn’t it?
- I’m sorry, but…
- Lovely day, isn’t it?
- Freezing cold, isn’t it?
- Scorching hot, isn’t it?
- Formal:
- I hope you don’t mind my asking, but…
- I beg your pardon, but…
- Forgive me for asking, but…
- Excuse my asking…
- Excuse me, but…?
- Excuse me…
- Excuse me asking, but…?
- Do excuse me, but…?
Introducing Yourself
- Informal:
- Hello! … I’m…
- Hello!
- Evening!
- Afternoon!
- Less Formal:
- Hello? This is… (Hello, this is…)
- Hello? My name’s Hakan. (Hello, my name is Hakan)
- Hello? Hakan speaking. (Hello, this is Hakan speaking)
- Formal:
- May I introduce myself?
- How do you do? My name’s…
- Good morning!
- First let me introduce myself.
- Excuse me!
- Excuse me, my name’s…
- Allow me to introduce myself.