Introductions
Introductions
The content of this lesson is linked to the podcast you listened to in the last lesson:
Learning Vocabulary - Breaking the Ice
In the podcast, we used many formal and informal phrases we can use when meeting someone for the first time. In this lesson, we're going to look at this language in a little more detail.
Learner Training
Meeting someone for the first time
When we meet someone for the first time we want to make a good impression. You need to show that you are confident. This can be done in a non-verbal way. In many cultures, a strong handshake is important and possibly looking at someone directly in the eye. Look at the photo at the top of the page. Are the managers confident? What are they doing in the photo?
Pronunciation
However, it's not only non-verbal communication that is important when you meet someone for the first time. You also need to speak clearly and confidently. Listen to the beginning of roleplay 3 in the podcast. Jack and Rich speak clearly and confidently. Pronunciation is very important and people will get a first impression of you from what you say.
Language
Formal Phrases
When we meet someone for the first time there are lots of different phrases we can use to introduce ourselves but we first must think about where we are speaking and who we are speaking to. Is it a formal situation such as a business meeting or is it an informal situation like a party? Let's start by looking at some phrases that we might use in more formal situations.
- Hello. My name is ...
- I don't think we've met. May I introduce myself?
- How do you do?
- Pleased to meet you. My name is ...
- Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Remember! How do you do is not a question. It's a phrase that is used when meeting someone for the first time. The usual response is to repeat how do you do?
Task
Imagine that somebody said the formal phrases above to you. How would you respond? Write your answers in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Language
Informal Phrases
Here are some more phrases that we can use in more informal situations:
- Hi. I'm ...
- It's great meeting you!
- Are you new here? What's up?
- Hey! How's it going?
- How you doing?
Remember! It's common in more informal language to leave out small grammar words in greetings. How are you doing? often changes to how you doing? which is more informal.
Task
Imagine that somebody said the above informal phrases to you. How would you respond? Write your answers in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Language
Introducing others
You might need to introduce other people sometimes. This could happen at a business meeting at work (formal) or at a party with friends (informal). These phrases start with the most formal introduction and end with the most informal introduction.
- I'd like to introduce ...
- I'd like you to meet ...
- Jack, have you met Rich?
- Jack, this is Rich. Rich, this is Jack.
- Jack. Rich. Rich. Jack.
Comment
What do you think?
How do you feel when meeting people for the first time? Is it useful to use formal and informal English? Which is more important for you?
In the article above, we gave you two tasks to do. Write your answers in the comments section below.
We have lots of connected content to this week's podcast in our activity week. Find all our current content by hitting the live tab on the homepage.
Leave a comment
Log in to leave a comment
Comments
19/08/2019
points
I´m feel safe with the other people to take more trust.
19/08/2019 17:58
Manchester United
76
I´m feel safe with the other people to take more trust.
19/08/2019
points
I feel good about meeting new people and thinking that we can be good friends. It depends on the person and the confidence you have for him, but in general formal English is more important and useful.
19/08/2019 05:22
Manchester United
89
I feel good about meeting new people and thinking that we can be good friends. It depends on the person and the confidence you have for him, but in general formal English is more important and useful.
19/08/2019
points
I feel nervous when meeting people,but then we confidence both and formal english is more important
19/08/2019 05:04
Manchester United
87
I feel nervous when meeting people,but then we confidence both and formal english is more important
19/08/2019
points
I feel nervous to meet someone new, but good with the fact of making more social life. It's very important to use formal and informal English when meeting someone, especially if you are a foreigner. I think that the formal one is more important, because in a labor dialogue, it is the one that best suits us.
TASK: response formal phrase:nice to meet you, my name is ...
response informal phrase: Hey! what's up?
19/08/2019 04:29
Manchester United
103
I feel nervous to meet someone new, but good with the fact of making more social life. It's very important to use formal and informal English when meeting someone, especially if you are a foreigner. I think that the formal one is more important, because in a labor dialogue, it is the one that best suits us.
TASK: response formal phrase:nice to meet you, my name is ...
response informal phrase: Hey! what's up?
19/08/2019
points
I usually feel a little nervous but I like it because it's always good to meet new people. I think formal and informal English is very useful but I think the most useful is informal, since it is the most common when it comes to going to a country that speaks English
19/08/2019 03:40
Manchester United
87
I usually feel a little nervous but I like it because it's always good to meet new people. I think formal and informal English is very useful but I think the most useful is informal, since it is the most common when it comes to going to a country that speaks English
19/08/2019
points
- In the formal sentences I would answer: `` Hello. My name is Zharick Peña '', '' Nice to meet you. My name is Zharick Peña. ''
- In the informal phrases I would answer: `` Hello. I'm Zharick, how are you? ''
-For me it depends a lot on the type of people I know and thus know if I feel comfortable or a little nervous, but usually I feel good when meeting people for the first time. In my opinion it is useful to use formal and informal English; I think both are very important but I should start learning the informal one first.
19/08/2019 02:01
Manchester United
95
- In the formal sentences I would answer: `` Hello. My name is Zharick Peña '', '' Nice to meet you. My name is Zharick Peña. ''
- In the informal phrases I would answer: `` Hello. I'm Zharick, how are you? ''
-For me it depends a lot on the type of people I know and thus know if I feel comfortable or a little nervous, but usually I feel good when meeting people for the first time. In my opinion it is useful to use formal and informal English; I think both are very important but I should start learning the informal one first.
18/08/2019
points
meeting a new person is very good because you can share tastes or activities and this depends on whether we use formal or informal English
18/08/2019 20:32
Manchester United
119
meeting a new person is very good because you can share tastes or activities and this depends on whether we use formal or informal English
18/08/2019
points
I'm not a very good talker in English therefore prefer the informal lenguage keeping basic the subject.
18/08/2019 18:28
Manchester United
39
I'm not a very good talker in English therefore prefer the informal lenguage keeping basic the subject.
17/08/2019
points
Sometimes I feel nervous to meet someone. Both serve different occasions, but the formal english would be rhe most appropriate
17/08/2019 21:51
Manchester City
87
Sometimes I feel nervous to meet someone. Both serve different occasions, but the formal english would be rhe most appropriate
17/08/2019
points
I feel a little nervous to meet new people, but if they are people with whom I share tastes, I don't find it so difficult to start a conversation. For me it is more important to speak with formal language since it gives a good image of me
17/08/2019 21:41
Chelsea
76
I feel a little nervous to meet new people, but if they are people with whom I share tastes, I don't find it so difficult to start a conversation. For me it is more important to speak with formal language since it gives a good image of me
17/08/2019
points
It is very cool to meet new people and aggravate our social circle and it is more interesting if you have many things in commun and there are friends with artas things in common and of all that the good thing is that we aggravate our social circle
17/08/2019 18:32
Manchester United
84
It is very cool to meet new people and aggravate our social circle and it is more interesting if you have many things in commun and there are friends with artas things in common and of all that the good thing is that we aggravate our social circle
17/08/2019
points
I feel nervous when meeting people at the first time. I think the formal English is more important because I always try to make good impression of myself.
In the formal occasion I respond: "Pleased to meet you, my name is María José..." and in the informal occasion I respond: "Hi. I'm María José. It's great meeting you!
17/08/2019 02:36
Manchester United
97
I feel nervous when meeting people at the first time. I think the formal English is more important because I always try to make good impression of myself.
In the formal occasion I respond: "Pleased to meet you, my name is María José..." and in the informal occasion I respond: "Hi. I'm María José. It's great meeting you!
17/08/2019
points
I feel good, but a little bit nervous, because I don't know what I will say. I think it depends on who the conversation's gonna start with, but for me it's more important to use formal English.
17/08/2019 02:25
Manchester United
87
I feel good, but a little bit nervous, because I don't know what I will say. I think it depends on who the conversation's gonna start with, but for me it's more important to use formal English.
06/04/2019
points
Task
Responding to formal greeting
1. Hello.I name Mr Luckson Dzingirai.
2. I'm sorry I think we never met before.
3. Not really. I was here the other time. I didn't stay long.
4.How do you do
06/04/2019 05:21
Chelsea
1749
Task
Responding to formal greeting
1. Hello.I name Mr Luckson Dzingirai.
2. I'm sorry I think we never met before.
3. Not really. I was here the other time. I didn't stay long.
4.How do you do
27/12/2018
points
It's really interesting to meet people and make new friends more if they have a lot of things in common with you or share your same likes. Depend on the situation and person I decided if I use formal or informal speaking.
27/12/2018 02:41
Manchester United
828
It's really interesting to meet people and make new friends more if they have a lot of things in common with you or share your same likes. Depend on the situation and person I decided if I use formal or informal speaking.
26/11/2018
points
Normally, to speak with people, he used informal English, because I am better at speaking and it is not as tedious as formal.
Task 1-I would use his same language.
Task 2-The informal English is my strong would not have difficulty to respond.
26/11/2018 20:25
Manchester United
194
Normally, to speak with people, he used informal English, because I am better at speaking and it is not as tedious as formal.
Task 1-I would use his same language.
Task 2-The informal English is my strong would not have difficulty to respond.
09/08/2018
points
Task 1
I would respond with the same form in which they ask me since it is something formal or also depending on the situation.
Task 2
I would respond in a comical but careful way since one does not know how people would react.
1. When meeting people I feel very nervous, anxious and some scary to start a conversation.
2. I think it is useful to use the English language, either informal or formal, since you do not know how to start expressing yourself, but when time passes you do not realize how you started talking and what words you used that is the good thing about the language. Something incredible.
3. For me the most important thing is my family and also my friends because with them I understand and talk about many things about what we like to do every day and what we would like to know in the distant future.
09/08/2018 01:33
Manchester United
924
Task 1
I would respond with the same form in which they ask me since it is something formal or also depending on the situation.
Task 2
I would respond in a comical but careful way since one does not know how people would react.
1. When meeting people I feel very nervous, anxious and some scary to start a conversation.
2. I think it is useful to use the English language, either informal or formal, since you do not know how to start expressing yourself, but when time passes you do not realize how you started talking and what words you used that is the good thing about the language. Something incredible.
3. For me the most important thing is my family and also my friends because with them I understand and talk about many things about what we like to do every day and what we would like to know in the distant future.
27/02/2018
points
If somebody said informal phrase to me,I would respond something like Hey! How's it going?I think that the most important thing about starting conversation is confident. Pronunciation is important also,but if you came from another country your pronunciation will be a litle problem.But I think that is ok.It is important that people can understand you,and by the time your pronunciation will improve.
27/02/2018 08:48
Manchester United
2663
If somebody said informal phrase to me,I would respond something like Hey! How's it going?I think that the most important thing about starting conversation is confident. Pronunciation is important also,but if you came from another country your pronunciation will be a litle problem.But I think that is ok.It is important that people can understand you,and by the time your pronunciation will improve.
21/02/2018
points
Task 1:
A- I don't think we've met. May I introduce myself?
B - Sure.
A- My name is Adroaldo and I'm the new goalkeeper from Santos.
B- It's a pleasure to meet you.
Task 2
A- Are you new here? What's up?
B- For sure man. I'm from Brazil and I arrived here just yesterday.
A- Good luck man.
I try my best to use formal English when I'm in a working environment. On the other hand, if I'm in an English class I can just use informal speech to sound more native speaker.
21/02/2018 01:49
Chelsea
112
Task 1:
A- I don't think we've met. May I introduce myself?
B - Sure.
A- My name is Adroaldo and I'm the new goalkeeper from Santos.
B- It's a pleasure to meet you.
Task 2
A- Are you new here? What's up?
B- For sure man. I'm from Brazil and I arrived here just yesterday.
A- Good luck man.
I try my best to use formal English when I'm in a working environment. On the other hand, if I'm in an English class I can just use informal speech to sound more native speaker.
21/02/2018
points
Good examples of both formal and informal introductions, Dro!
Well done!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
21/02/2018 08:06
Liverpool
594
Good examples of both formal and informal introductions, Dro!
Well done!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
09/02/2018
points
I believe formal and informal English are equally important and we need to know both of them.
Task 1. -I don't think we've met. May I introduce myself?
- Hello, certainly. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Task 2. -Hey! How's it going?
-Great, thanks, and you?
09/02/2018 09:34
Manchester United
50
I believe formal and informal English are equally important and we need to know both of them.
Task 1. -I don't think we've met. May I introduce myself?
- Hello, certainly. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Task 2. -Hey! How's it going?
-Great, thanks, and you?
09/02/2018
points
1. Formal phrases:
• Hello. My name is ANTON. AND WHAT ABOUT YOU?
• I don't think we've met. May I introduce myself? - As you already know, I'm Anton, but the most of my friends call me Toha. Currently, I live in a weird country named Ukraine. Therefore, I speak Ukrainian and Russian as well, English (I won't admit to you how bad I speak, but I'm trying to do my best). I think a bit talkative, am I? Sorry for that!
• How do you do? - I'm a little nervous, but in general, everything is great! And how do you do?
• Thank you,... I will try to feel at home.
• Pleased to meet you. My name is... ANTON SHEVCHENKO. As a well-known Ukrainian footballer, yes. Sorry, football is constantly in my head!
• Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you. – Good afternoon! I am very pleased to meet you too!
2. Informal phrases:
• Hi. I'm TOHA. And ya?
• It's great meeting you! – Well, actually, I’m not... Sorry, kidding) Feel the same!
• Are you new here? What's up? - Yeah man. Joined only yesterday.
• Hey! How's it going? – Hold on ManCity, Robert goes to Etihad Stadium! Hiya dude
• How you doing? – Mahrez is back...finally!
3. When I meeting people for the first time, usually I'm a little nervous. Some period of time I use formal language. And when I feel that my companion and I broke the ice and we feel at one wave, I switch to informal language. And of course, much depends on our interests. If I will meet a person who adores football, I think I will not need informal English)
09/02/2018 07:11
Leicester City
298
1. Formal phrases:
• Hello. My name is ANTON. AND WHAT ABOUT YOU?
• I don't think we've met. May I introduce myself? - As you already know, I'm Anton, but the most of my friends call me Toha. Currently, I live in a weird country named Ukraine. Therefore, I speak Ukrainian and Russian as well, English (I won't admit to you how bad I speak, but I'm trying to do my best). I think a bit talkative, am I? Sorry for that!
• How do you do? - I'm a little nervous, but in general, everything is great! And how do you do?
• Thank you,... I will try to feel at home.
• Pleased to meet you. My name is... ANTON SHEVCHENKO. As a well-known Ukrainian footballer, yes. Sorry, football is constantly in my head!
• Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you. – Good afternoon! I am very pleased to meet you too!
2. Informal phrases:
• Hi. I'm TOHA. And ya?
• It's great meeting you! – Well, actually, I’m not... Sorry, kidding) Feel the same!
• Are you new here? What's up? - Yeah man. Joined only yesterday.
• Hey! How's it going? – Hold on ManCity, Robert goes to Etihad Stadium! Hiya dude
• How you doing? – Mahrez is back...finally!
3. When I meeting people for the first time, usually I'm a little nervous. Some period of time I use formal language. And when I feel that my companion and I broke the ice and we feel at one wave, I switch to informal language. And of course, much depends on our interests. If I will meet a person who adores football, I think I will not need informal English)
21/02/2018
points
Excellent job my friend! Personally, i think this is the best way to improve your English. Many people tend to do passive activities such as reading and listening instead of trying something more challenging such as writing or speaking.
21/02/2018 01:35
Chelsea
112
Excellent job my friend! Personally, i think this is the best way to improve your English. Many people tend to do passive activities such as reading and listening instead of trying something more challenging such as writing or speaking.