Polite Expressions & Greetings
Master the art of courteous communication
👋 Greetings
Greetings are the foundation of polite interaction. The appropriate greeting depends on the time of day, the relationship between speakers, and the level of formality required.
Formal Greetings
Examples:
Good morning (before noon)
Good afternoon (noon to 6 PM)
Good evening (after 6 PM)
How do you do? (very formal, first meeting)
It’s a pleasure to meet you.
I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.
Good afternoon (noon to 6 PM)
Good evening (after 6 PM)
How do you do? (very formal, first meeting)
It’s a pleasure to meet you.
I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.
Informal Greetings
Examples:
Hi / Hello
Hey (casual)
How are you? / How’s it going?
What’s up? (very casual)
Nice to see you!
Long time no see!
Hey (casual)
How are you? / How’s it going?
What’s up? (very casual)
Nice to see you!
Long time no see!
Very Casual
Hey! / What’s up?
Casual
Hi / Hello
Neutral
How are you?
Formal
Good morning
🙏 Common Polite Expressions
Saying Please and Thank You
These are essential for polite communication in English and should be used frequently.
| Expression | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Please | Making requests | Could you please help me? |
| Thank you / Thanks | Expressing gratitude | Thank you for your help. |
| You’re welcome | Responding to thanks | A: Thank you! B: You’re welcome. |
| No problem | Casual response to thanks | A: Thanks! B: No problem. |
| My pleasure | Formal response to thanks | A: Thank you. B: My pleasure. |
Apologizing
Levels of Apology:
Light apologies: Excuse me, Pardon me, Sorry
Standard apologies: I’m sorry, I apologize
Formal apologies: I sincerely apologize, Please accept my apologies
Strong apologies: I’m terribly sorry, I deeply apologize
Light apologies: Excuse me, Pardon me, Sorry
Standard apologies: I’m sorry, I apologize
Formal apologies: I sincerely apologize, Please accept my apologies
Strong apologies: I’m terribly sorry, I deeply apologize
💡 Cultural Note:
In English-speaking cultures, “Excuse me” is used to get someone’s attention, ask someone to move, or before interrupting. “I’m sorry” is used for actual mistakes or when expressing sympathy.
🗣️ Making Requests Politely
The more indirect and longer the request, the more polite it sounds in English.
Politeness Levels in Requests
Direct (informal):
Give me the report.
Open the window.
More polite:
Can you give me the report?
Could you open the window?
Very polite:
Would you mind giving me the report?
Could you possibly open the window?
Most formal:
I was wondering if you could give me the report.
Would it be possible for you to open the window?
Give me the report.
Open the window.
More polite:
Can you give me the report?
Could you open the window?
Very polite:
Would you mind giving me the report?
Could you possibly open the window?
Most formal:
I was wondering if you could give me the report.
Would it be possible for you to open the window?
Softening Language
These words and phrases make requests sound more polite:
Examples:
perhaps, maybe, possibly, if possible
“Could you perhaps send that by Friday?”
“Would it be possible to reschedule?”
“I was wondering if you had a moment.”
perhaps, maybe, possibly, if possible
“Could you perhaps send that by Friday?”
“Would it be possible to reschedule?”
“I was wondering if you had a moment.”
👋 Farewells
Formal Goodbyes
Examples:
Goodbye
It was nice meeting you.
It was a pleasure speaking with you.
Have a good day/evening.
I look forward to hearing from you.
It was nice meeting you.
It was a pleasure speaking with you.
Have a good day/evening.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Informal Goodbyes
Examples:
Bye / Bye-bye
See you / See you later
Talk to you soon
Take care
Catch you later (very casual)
Have a good one!
See you / See you later
Talk to you soon
Take care
Catch you later (very casual)
Have a good one!
💼 Business Etiquette Expressions
Opening an email:
Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]
I hope this email finds you well.
Thank you for your email regarding…
Closing an email:
Best regards, / Kind regards,
Sincerely,
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to your response.
Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]
I hope this email finds you well.
Thank you for your email regarding…
Closing an email:
Best regards, / Kind regards,
Sincerely,
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to your response.
💡 Professional Tip:
In business communication, it’s better to be too formal than too casual. You can always become less formal as the relationship develops, but starting too casually can be seen as disrespectful.
📝 Knowledge Check Quiz
1. Which greeting is most appropriate for a formal business meeting at 2 PM?
2. Which is the MOST polite way to make a request?
3. Someone thanks you for your help. Which response is most appropriate in a formal setting?
4. When should you use “Excuse me” rather than “I’m sorry”?
5. Which email closing is most appropriate for a business email to a client?
6. Which phrase makes a request sound more polite?
7. What time of day should you use “Good evening” as a greeting?
8. Which is the most casual farewell?
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