Some informal greetings:
Questions are an important part of conversational English. It’s polite to ask about another person, to find out more about them, and to get to know them.
Generally when people start a conversation in English with someone they know it’s polite to enquire about how the other person is.
And there are some basic questions that you can ask anyone, anywhere.
The type of questions you ask someone in a conversation depend on various factors.
You would speak more formally to someone you’ve never met, to a work colleague, or to someone older than you. You would speak more casually to a good friend, and to people in your own age group.
It’s a good idea to wait until someone speaks casually with you before you speak casually with them. You may find that people will begin to use casual greetings with you over time, as you get to know each other better.
Someone you’ve just been introduced to:
Someone you haven’t seen for a while:
Wherever you meet, you can talk about something you have in common. For example, if you’ve met at a party you could ask:
It’s polite to ask a person questions about themselves when you meet them, but it’s also important to respond to questions they’ve asked you. This helps to keep the conversation flowing.
You can combine your answers with follow-up questions based on information the other person is giving you. For example, if someone mentions they used to live in New York you could say:
Mirroring, or repeating some of the things the other person has said to you or asked you is a polite and easy way to respond too. For example:
Having a conversation outside of the classroom can be more challenging – but don’t give up! The more practice you have in the real world the better, and English speakers will be happy to help you.
When you’re listening to someone during a conversation focus on the words you recognise and understand more than the words you don’t.
You can practise by listening to conversations native English speakers have with each other on the radio, in interviews online, in movies, TV shows and more. Listen out for useful questions and expressions you can use in your own conversations in the future.
What is your favorite way to start up a conversation?
Dinner parties and gatherings can be a little awkward, especially if you don’t know everyone in the room. These conversation starters are a great way to break the ice! And with all the holiday get togethers coming up, they’re sure to come in handy at the next party or event you attend.
These conversations starters are good for people young and old! They are sure to spark some creative answers, get the group laughing and bring back some hilarious memories.
As we all know, kids have big imaginations. Why not encourage them with these kid-friendly conversation starters? They’re sure to respond with unique (and surprisingly insightful) answers.
Sometimes teens can be difficult to talk to. If you have trouble relating to a teen in your life, try one of these conversation starters to get them talking about what excites them most.
Tired of talking about the weather, latest sports game, or what you’re up to at work? Get real with these deep conversation starters. Just make sure you’re ready for a serious conversation.
You may feel like you know everything about your significant other, but it’s easy to get in a routine and have similar conversations every day. Spice it up with these meaningful questions.
Let’s face it, first dates can be awkward. Start off on the right foot with these first date conversation starters. They’ll help you get to know the person and find out your common interests.
If you’re at a gathering with acquaintances, it can be hard to settle on a topic that everyone can relate and contribute to. Try one of these conversation starters to find similar interests!
Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what to talk about at extended family gatherings, especially if you haven’t seen family members for awhile. These conversation starters are family-friendly and are sure to engage everyone from children to grandparents.
After you’ve asked “What do you do?” where should the conversation go from there? These questions will open up conversations beyond just discussing your job title.
A casual get-together with friends is a good place to ask quirky questions. Find out fun information about your friends and acquaintances that you may have never known otherwise!
Whether you’re trying to meet a new friend or special someone, these conversation starters are a great way to break the ice! If you’re new to the area, they’ll also help you learn more about all the best spots to visit.
See, striking up a conversation wasn’t so hard, was it? Whether you’re trying to meet someone new or just learn more about an old friend, asking out-of-the-box questions is a great way to break the ice and find out something new!
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| If I were in your place... |
Here are useful expressions for the language function of giving advice and recommendations to other people.
