Communication Guide

1. Introductions and greetings

Greetings are used to say hello in English. It's common to use different greetings depending on whether you greet a friend, family or a business associate. There are also greetings that are used with people you do not very well.

Once you have been introduced to someone, the next time you see that person it is important to greet them. We also greet people as we leave people. In English (as in all languages), there are different ways to greet people in formal and informal situations.

Formal Greetings: Arriving

Good morning / afternoon / evening. Hello (name), how are you? Good day Sir / Madam (very formal)

Informal Greetings: Arriving

Hi / Hello How are you?  What's up? (very informal) How are you doing? (very informal)

It's important to note that the question "How are you?" or "What's up?" doesn't necessary need a response. If you do respond, these phrases are generally expected:

Very well, thank you. And you? (formal) Fine / Great (informal)

Formal Greetings: Departing

Good morning / afternoon / evening. It was a pleasure seeing you.

Introductions are the first phrases we say when we meet someone new. They are an important part of small talk - what we say when we meet people at parties. These phrases are different than the phrases we use when we greet friends. Read these phrases and practice them in these short conversations.

There are a number of phrases that are commonly used to introduce strangers.

(name), I don't think you've met (name). I don't think you know (name) May I introduce you to (name) (name), do you know (name)? (name), I'd like you to meet (name)

When you meet someone the first time, it is common to greet the person with "How do you do?" the correct response is "How do you do." Here is a short introductory conversation:

Ken: Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary. Peter: How do you do? Mary: How do you do. Ken: Mary works for ...

A variation is also "It's a pleasure to meet you." or "Pleased to meet you."

Ken: Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary. Peter: It's a pleasure to meet you. Mary: How do you do. Ken: Mary works for ...

Ken: Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary. Peter: How do you do? Mary: Pleased to meet you. Ken: Mary works for ...

In informal situations, especially in North America, introductions are also made simply saying: "This is (name)." It is also common to just say "Hi" or "Hello" as a response in this informal setting.

Ken: Peter, this is Mary. Peter: How do you do? Mary: Pleased to meet you. Ken: Mary works for ...

It is also quite common to shake hands when you are introduced. After the initial introduction, hand shaking generally takes place in more formal, business situations. Otherwise, people just say "Hi."(from http://esl.about.com/od/beginnerpronunciation/a/intros.htm

2. Expressing opinion

Personal Point of View

We use these words and phrases to express a personal point of view:

In my experience…

As far as I'm concerned…

Speaking for myself…

In my opinion…

Personally, I think…

I'd say that…

I'd suggest that…

I'd like to point out that…

I believe that…

What I mean is…

General Point of View

We use these words and phrases to express a point of view that is generally thought by people:

It is thought that...

Some people say that...

It is considered...

It is generally accepted that...

Agreeing with an opinion

We use these words and phrases to agree with someone else's point of view:

Of course.

You're absolutely right.

Yes, I agree.

I think so too.

That's a good point.

Exactly.

I don't think so either.

So do I.

I'd go along with that.

That's true.

Neither do I.

I agree with you entirely.

That's just what I was thinking.

I couldn't agree more.

Disagreeing with an opinion

We use these words and phrases to disagree with someone else's point of view:

That's different.

I don't agree with you.

However…

That's not entirely true.

On the contrary…

I'm sorry to disagree with you, but…

Yes, but don't you think…

That's not the same thing at all.

I'm afraid I have to disagree.

I'm not so sure about that.

I must take issue with you on that.

It's unjustifiable to say that...

(from http://www.vocabulary.cl/Lists/Opinions.htm)

3. Explaining

Ways of explaining or clarifying

As - adverb, conjunction, preposition

used for giving the reason for something

because - conjunction

used for introducing facts that explain why you believe that something is true

besides adverb, preposition

used when you are adding another stronger reason to support what you are saying

explain verb

used when you want someone to understand and forgive you

i.e. abbreviation

used when you are explaining exactly what you mean by something

inasmuch as conjunction

used for adding a comment that explains or makes clearer what you have just said

inasmuch as conjunction

used for adding a comment that limits what you have just said

look at

used for giving an example that proves that what you are saying is true

precisely adverb

used for adding emphasis to a reason or explanation

since adverb, conjunction, preposition

used when explaining why someone does something or why a situation exists

that adverb, conjunction, determiner, pronoun

used when explaining why someone feels sad, angry, happy etc

witness verb

used before you give an example that proves what you have just said

after all

used when giving a reason to explain what you have just said

as a matter of fact

used when you are going to disagree with or correct what has just been said

as if

used when you are describing something and you imagine an explanation for it that you know is not the real one

as much as anything

used for saying that something is one of the main reasons for a situation, feeling etc

at bottom

used when explaining the basic cause or nature of something

being...

used for giving an explanation of something

by extension

used for explaining that a particular person or thing is affected by something only because they are connected to what you have just mentioned

can’t begin to imagine/understand/explain etc

used for emphasizing that something is very difficult to imagine, understand etc

due to unforeseen circumstances

used in official statements for explaining that something unexpected has happened that will prevent an event or situation from continuing normally

for example

used when mentioning something that shows the type of thing that you are talking about and helps to explain what you mean

for instance

for example

for one reason or another

used for saying that there is more than one reason for something

for one thing

used when mentioning one reason for something as an example, when there are several reasons

for one thing...(for another thing)

used for giving a reason for something

for reasons of economy/safety/security etc

used for showing why a particular thing is done

for want of a better word/phrase/term

used for saying that you cannot think of a more exact way of describing or explaining what you mean

I mean (to say)

used for adding a comment or explaining what you have just said

in case

used for explaining why you are doing something

in other words

used for introducing another way of saying or explaining something, especially a more simple way

in that

used for introducing an explanation of what you have just said, showing in what way it is true

in the first place

used for stating the most basic reason for something

in the interest(s) of something

in order to preserve, develop, or achieve something

it’s just that...

used when you are explaining your reaction to something

it’s not that...it’s just that

used when you are explaining why you are doing something

judging by/from something

used for giving the reason why you think something is true

on this/that account

used when giving the reason for something

pure and simple

used for saying that there is no additional explanation for something

there it is/there you are/there you go

used when a situation is not satisfactory but there is nothing that you can do to make it better

so to speak

used for showing that you have expressed something in an unusual way

that is (to say)

used when explaining more clearly what you have just said

that is (to say)

used when you are going to correct something that you have just said

that is to say

used for explaining something that you have just said in a more exact way

the thing is

used for introducing an answer, comment, or explanation related to something that was just mentioned

the whole point

used for emphasizing that something is the main reason for something else

to put it another way

used when you are going to explain something in a different way in order to make it easier to understand

to put it in a nutshell

used when you are going to explain a long or complicated idea, story etc in a quick and simple way

to put it mildly

used for saying that the words you have chosen are not as extreme as they could have been

to put it simply

used for saying that you are explaining something in a clear and simple way

what with

used when you are giving a number of reasons for a particular situation or problem

you see

used when you are explaining something

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