50 Essential Greeting Phrases for English Learners
Greetings are the foundation of communication in any language. Mastering common English greetings will help you sound natural in conversations. Below is a comprehensive list of 50 greeting phrases, their meanings, and examples.
1. Hello
Meaning: A universal greeting used in both formal and informal situations.
- “Hello, how are you today?”
- “Hello, my name is Sarah.”
- “Hello! It’s nice to meet you.”
2. Hi
Meaning: A casual and friendly greeting.
- “Hi, what’s up?”
- “Hi there! Long time no see.”
- “Hi, can I help you with something?”
3. Good morning
Meaning: Used to greet someone in the morning (until around noon).
- “Good morning, Mr. Johnson!”
- “Good morning! Did you sleep well?”
- “Good morning, everyone. Let’s start the meeting.”
Final Exercises
Exercise 1: Matching
Match the greeting with its appropriate time/situation:
| Greeting | Time/Situation |
|---|---|
| Good evening | a. When meeting someone for the first time |
| Nice to meet you | b. After 6 PM |
| Howdy | c. Informal greeting in southern US |
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete these conversations with appropriate greetings:
- ______, class! Today we’ll learn about verbs.
- ______, sir. How may I help you?
- ______! Haven’t seen you since high school!
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers:
- Good evening – b
- Nice to meet you – a
- Howdy – c
Exercise 2 Answers:
- Good morning, class! Today we’ll learn about verbs.
- Hello, sir. How may I help you?
- Hi! Haven’t seen you since high school!
Note: Some greetings may have multiple correct answers depending on context.