Small talk is not really about the weather. It is a friendly way of saying I see you. These short exchanges open almost every conversation in English.
1. Talking About the Weather
Neighbour: Lovely day, isn't it?
Ana: Yes, beautiful.
Neighbour: Much better than yesterday.
Ana: Yesterday was terrible.
Neighbour: Let's hope it stays like this.
Ana: Fingers crossed.
2. When It's Too Hot
Ben: It's so hot today.
Kim: I know. I can't sleep at night.
Ben: Do you have a fan?
Kim: Yes, but it doesn't help.
Ben: They say it will be cooler tomorrow.
Kim: I hope so.
3. Rain
Joy: It's raining again.
Marc: Did you bring an umbrella?
Joy: No, I forgot.
Marc: Take mine. I have two.
Joy: Are you sure?
Marc: Of course. Give it back tomorrow.
4. Meeting a Neighbour
Rita: Good morning. How are you?
Neighbour: Fine, thanks. Busy week.
Rita: Same here.
Neighbour: Almost the weekend, though.
Rita: Don't remind me. I'm working Saturday.
Neighbour: Oh dear. Good luck.
5. Talking About the Weekend
Tom: Any plans for the weekend?
Lia: Nothing yet. You?
Tom: We're going to the beach.
Lia: That sounds lovely.
Tom: If the weather's good.
Lia: Have a nice time.
6. Agreeing and Disagreeing
Sara: This winter is very long.
Jo: I agree. It feels endless.
Sara: I prefer summer.
Jo: Really? I don't. It's too hot for me.
Sara: Fair enough.
Jo: We all like something different.
7. Talking About Seasons
Ken: What's your favourite season?
Nina: Autumn. The colours are beautiful.
Ken: Mine is spring.
Nina: Why spring?
Ken: Everything starts growing again.
Nina: That's a nice way to see it.
8. Ending a Short Conversation
Paul: Well, I should get going.
Amy: Of course. Nice talking to you.
Paul: You too. See you around.
Amy: Take care.
Paul: You too. Bye.
Words to know
| lovely | very nice or pleasant Lovely day, isn't it? |
| terrible | very bad Yesterday was terrible. |
| umbrella | what you hold over you in rain Did you bring an umbrella? |
| forgot | did not remember No, I forgot. |
| plans | what you intend to do Any plans for the weekend? |
| prefer | to like one thing more than another I prefer summer. |
| season | spring, summer, autumn or winter What's your favourite season? |
| get going | to leave I should get going. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Lovely day, ________ it?
B: Yes, beautiful.
2. A: It's so hot today.
B: I know. I can't ________ at night.
3. A: It's raining again.
B: Did you bring an ________?
4. A: Any ________ for the weekend?
B: Nothing yet. You?
5. A: This winter is very long.
B: I ________. It feels endless.
6. A: Well, I should get ________.
B: Of course. Nice talking to you.
Show the answers
1. isn't 2. sleep 3. umbrella 4. plans 5. agree 6. going
Common mistakes
Not: It has hot today.
Say: It's hot today.
Weather uses it is: it's hot, it's cold, it's raining.
Not: I am agree with you.
Say: I agree with you.
Agree is already a verb. Never put am in front of it.
Not: Yesterday it was raining, no?
Say: It was raining yesterday, wasn't it?
English checks with a tag question that matches the verb, not with no?
Your turn
Imagine you meet a neighbour in the lift. Say these five things aloud, one after another, in under thirty seconds.
- Comment on today's weather where you live.
- Say whether you prefer hot or cold weather, and why.
- Ask about their weekend plans.
- Say what your own plans are.
- End the conversation politely and say goodbye.
Quick review
Small talk works because it is short. Practise the whole lift conversation from hello to goodbye in thirty seconds. If you can do that comfortably, you can talk to almost anyone in English.