Learn English Greetings - English Greetings Explained in Detail

Summary

In this lesson, Bob the Canadian explores various English greetings, breaking them down into simple and more complex categories. He explains the difference between formal and informal greetings like 'hi', 'hello', 'good morning', and 'yo'. The video also covers common questions paired with greetings, such as 'how’s it going?' and 'what’s up?', and provides sample responses like 'good', 'not much', and 'things are great'. Bob highlights the nuances of answering greetings depending on the relationship with the person, offering practical advice for both casual and formal situations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Simple greetings in English include 'hi,' 'hello,' 'hey,' and 'howdy,' and can be used both to greet and respond.
• 😀 Formal greetings such as 'good morning,' 'good afternoon,' and 'good evening' can also be shortened to their informal versions like 'morning' and 'afternoon.'
• 😀 Adding someone's name to the greeting, like 'hi Bob' or 'hello Joe,' makes the greeting more personal.
• 😀 Greetings are often followed by questions like 'How's it going?' or 'How are you?' to continue the conversation.
• 😀 Common responses to questions like 'How’s it going?' include 'good,' 'pretty good,' 'not too bad,' or 'it’s going well.'
• 😀 Informal greetings like 'what’s up?' or 'what’s going on?' are typically answered with 'not much' or 'not a whole lot.'
• 😀 The phrase 'how are things?' or 'how’s everything?' is often answered with 'things are great,' even if they’re not.
• 😀 The level of detail you give in your answer depends on your relationship with the person; you may be more honest with family than with acquaintances or colleagues.
• 😀 When answering greetings, you can always add 'you?' to prompt the other person to respond with their own answer.
• 😀 Slang greetings like 'yo' are used for casual or hip interactions, while 'howdy' is a playful, cowboy-style greeting.
• 😀 Understanding when to use formal vs. informal greetings, and when to give short or detailed responses, can make conversations more natural and appropriate.

Q & A

What are the simple greetings mentioned in the script?

The simple greetings include hi, hello, hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, howdy, and yo. These can be used both as greetings and responses.

How do you respond to a simple greeting?

You respond to a simple greeting by using the same greeting. For example, if someone says 'hi,' you can respond with 'hi.' If someone says 'hey man,' you can respond with 'hi' or 'hey.'

Which greetings are considered formal, according to the script?

The formal greetings include 'hi,' 'hello,' 'good morning,' 'good afternoon,' 'good evening,' and occasionally 'good day.'

What is the informal version of 'good morning'?

The informal version of 'good morning' is simply 'morning.'

What are some common informal greetings?

Some common informal greetings are 'hi there,' 'hello there,' 'hello hello,' 'hey,' 'hey man,' and 'yo.'

How do you answer the question 'How’s it going?'?

The typical answers to 'How’s it going?' include 'good,' 'pretty good,' 'not too bad,' and 'it’s going good.'

What does 'How’s it going?' actually mean?

The phrase 'How’s it going?' is a casual way of asking 'How are you?' or 'How are things going?' It's a more informal and friendly greeting.

When is it appropriate to give more detailed answers to greetings?

It’s appropriate to give more detailed answers when speaking to someone you know well, like a close friend or family member. For example, you might share more details with your mom or sister than with a colleague or acquaintance.

What is the correct response to 'What’s up?' or 'What’s going on?'?

'Not much' or 'Not a whole lot' are the most common responses to 'What’s up?' or 'What’s going on?'

How do you prompt the other person to answer after a greeting?

After answering a greeting, you can add 'you?' to prompt the other person to respond. For example, 'How’s it going?' 'Pretty good, you?' This encourages a reciprocal response.