GREETINGS, PRECLOSINGS, AND CLOSINGS

Greetings
Greetings in all countries have the same purposes: to establish contact with another person, to recognize
his or her existence, and to show friendliness. The formulas for greeting are very specific and usually do
not carry any literal meaning.
When people have not seen each other for a long time, the greeting is often enthusiastic and is usually
accompanied by shaking hands among men, hugging among both men and women, and sometimes a kiss
on the cheek among women

Preclosings and Closing

Usually people do not suddenly quit talking, say good-bye, and leave each other abruptly; ending a
conversation normally takes some time. This involves two kinds of interactions: preclosings and closings
Preclosings are phrases that signal the end of a conversation; closings are phrases that explicitly end the
conversation
In formal situations, the superior (in age, status, etc) usually signals the end of a conversation. On the
telephone, the caller usually preclose. Preclosing often include thanking a person for something.

Closings, like greetings, are commonly used exchanges with no literal meaning. People who are together
every day say good-bye.

More Formal

GREETINGS

RESPONSES

Good morning

Good morning

Good afternoon

Good afternoon

Good evening

Good evening

How nice to see you

Yes, Its been quite a while

What a pleasant surprise!

Hello, Robert

Hello, Kathryn

How are you?

Fine, thanks, And you?

Hi, Bob

Hi. Kathy

Howve you been?

Pretty good

Whats happening?

Not much

Whats new?

Nothing

How are you doing?

OK

Les Formal

Long time, not see

Yeah!

More Formal

PRECLOSING

RESPONSES

Well, Im afraid I have to be going

Thank you for coming

(Ive got to get up early tomorrow)

Its been a pleasure

Yes, Ive enjoyed it

Thank you for the advice

My pleasure

I really must go now (stronger)

Less Formal

Well, its getting late

More Formal

Nice to see you again

Maybe we can talk again

Nice to see you

Maybe we could get together sometimes

Sounds good

Great seeing you

Less Formal

Ive really got to go

OK. See you

Got to go now

See you again

CLOSINGS

RESPONSES

Until next time

Good bye

Good night, Bill

Good night, Jean

Good-bye, Harry

Good bye, Lisa

Have a nice (weekend)

You too

Talk to you later.

Bye. Take it easy

See you later

So long. Take care

More Formal

Less Formal

Differences between Informal and Formal Speech

In all languages the forms people use when speaking formally are different from those used informally. In
English we tend to use formal speech with strangers and people of higher status, and informal speech with
family, friends, and colleagues. Of course, language does not always fall into such neat categories as
formal and informal. The level of formality speaker chooses depends upon their relationship, the
setting (time and place), the topic being discussed, and many other factors.
Consider, for instance, these examples of informal and formal language
Informal

Formal

Sorry, gotta go

Im afraid Ive got to be going now

Wanna beer?

Could I offer you a beer?

Hes a pain in the neck

He has not been easy to deal with

Introductions and Address System

When making an introduction I any language, you need to know the formula and the rules
for doing it. You also need to know what to call the participants, to identify given names and sure names
(last names) and to decide which form of the name is appropriate to use
SMALL GROUP PRACTICE
Situation 1
A and B are old friend. They see each other again after four years. A has an important meeting and cant
talk long (You can use your real names or made-up names for practicing these situations)
A

1. greets B, expresses surprise

1. returns greeting and gestures

----------------------------------

------------------------------------

2. asks about Bs family

---------------------------------3. replies to Bs question, precloses
-----------------------------------

2. Answers questions, asks about As job

-------------------------------------3. replies to preclosing, give closing
----------------------------------------

4. replies to closing
-------------------------

Situation 2
A and B are students at university. They see each other between classes.
A

1. greets B

1. greets A, asks about weekend

2. talks about weekend, asks about Bs weekend

2. answers question

3. gives preclosing

3. replies to preclosing

4. closes

4. Replies

Situation 3
B is As boss. A needs to leave work early today to see the doctor and approaches B, who is working at
his or her desk.
A

coughs to get Bs attention, greets B

1. returns greeting. offers help

explains situation, requests permission to leave

2. asks for reason

early.

gives reason

thanks B, gives preclosing

4. replies to preclosing

closes

5. Replies

3. gives permission