Almost every conversation starts the same way — a hello, a question, and a minute of catching up. Get these first lines right and the rest comes easily.
1. A Quick Morning Hello
Mia: Morning, Dan.
Dan: Morning. You're up early.
Mia: I always am on Mondays.
Dan: Have a good week.
Mia: You too. See you around.
2. How Have You Been?
Ravi: Sofia! How have you been?
Sofia: Not bad. It's been ages.
Ravi: I know. What have you been up to?
Sofia: Working, mostly. You?
Ravi: Same as always.
Sofia: We should catch up properly.
3. Running Into a Friend
Kim: Hana? I thought that was you.
Hana: Kim! What a surprise.
Kim: Do you shop here too?
Hana: Every Saturday, actually.
Kim: Small world.
Hana: It really is.
4. Asking About the Family
Paulo: How's your family doing?
Elif: They're all well, thanks.
Paulo: And how's your son?
Elif: He started school last month.
Paulo: Already? Time flies.
Elif: Tell me about it.
5. Sharing Your News
Nour: You look happy today.
Ben: I got some good news this morning.
Nour: Go on.
Ben: I finally passed my driving test.
Nour: That's wonderful. Congratulations.
Ben: Thanks. I'm still surprised.
6. Welcoming Someone to Your Home
Lara: Come in. You found the place.
Theo: Easily. Thanks for having me.
Lara: Let me take your coat.
Theo: These are for you.
Lara: You didn't have to. Thank you.
Theo: It's nothing.
7. When You Are in a Hurry
Ines: Hi Marco. Sorry, I can't stop.
Marco: No problem. Are you late?
Ines: My bus leaves in five minutes.
Marco: Go, go. Call me later.
Ines: I will. Sorry again.
Marco: Don't worry about it.
8. Saying Goodbye
Yuki: I should get going.
Sam: Already?
Yuki: I'm afraid so. It was lovely to see you.
Sam: You too. Take care.
Yuki: Say hello to Ana for me.
Sam: I will. Bye.
Words to know
| ages | a very long time It's been ages. |
| catch up | to meet and share news after some time apart We should catch up properly. |
| small world | said when you meet someone in an unexpected place Small world. |
| time flies | time passes very quickly Already? Time flies. |
| go on | keep talking, tell me more Go on. |
| have someone over | to invite someone to your home Thanks for having me. |
| get going | to leave I should get going. |
| take care | a warm way to say goodbye You too. Take care. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Sofia! How have you ________?
B: Not bad. It's been ages.
2. A: Hana? I thought that was you.
B: Kim! What a ________.
3. A: He started school last month.
B: Already? Time ________.
4. A: I finally passed my driving test.
B: That's wonderful. ________.
5. A: Hi Marco. Sorry, I can't ________.
B: No problem. Are you late?
6. A: I should get ________.
B: Already?
Show the answers
1. been 2. surprise 3. flies 4. Congratulations 5. stop 6. going
Common mistakes
Not: It's been ages since I don't see you.
Say: It's been ages since I saw you.
After since, use the simple past for the last time it happened.
Not: Say hello to Ana from me.
Say: Say hello to Ana for me.
When you pass a greeting to someone else, English uses for me.
Not: I must go now. Goodbye.
Say: I should get going. It was lovely to see you.
A short warning before you leave sounds much warmer than stopping suddenly.
Your turn
Imagine you meet a friend you have not seen for a year. Say these five things aloud, one after another.
- Greet your friend and say you are surprised to see them.
- Ask how they have been and what they have been doing.
- Share one piece of your own news in two sentences.
- Ask about someone in their family.
- Say you have to leave, and say goodbye warmly.
Quick review
Record yourself answering one question out loud: How have you been? Keep it to three sentences — how you are, one thing that has changed since you last met, and one question back to them. Almost every conversation you have this year will open this way, so it is worth having an answer ready.