Exercise 1
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence about social situations and everyday expressions.
Example: "Nice to ___ you!" said Maria when she met her new neighbour. (meet / see / know)
Answer: "Nice to meet you!" said Maria when she met her new neighbour.
Social Situations and Everyday Expressions
When you meet people, visit places, or go about your daily life in English, you need simple, practical language to communicate clearly and politely. Knowing the right words and expressions for social situations and everyday expressions helps you greet people, make requests, apologise, and keep conversations going — all essential skills for real life.
Imagine you are visiting a friend in a new city. You arrive at the train station, you are not sure where to go, and you need to ask for help. Later, you meet your friend's family for the first time, and you want to make a good impression. In this lesson, you will learn the vocabulary and expressions you need for exactly these kinds of situations.
Key Vocabulary and Meaning Breakdown
1. Greetings, Introductions, and Farewells
These are the words and phrases you use when you meet someone new, say hello to a friend, or say goodbye at the end of a conversation or visit.
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| greet | verb — to say hello to someone when you meet them | She greeted her neighbour with a big smile. | greet someone warmly; greet a guest |
| introduce | verb — to tell people each other's names for the first time | Let me introduce you to my colleague, James. | introduce yourself; introduce a friend |
| nice to meet you | expression — a polite phrase used when you first meet someone | "Nice to meet you, Anna." "Nice to meet you too!" | Also: "Pleased to meet you." (slightly more formal) |
| farewell | noun / expression — a way of saying goodbye, sometimes at the end of an event or visit | We said our farewells at the airport. | say farewell; farewell party |
| catch up | phrasal verb — to talk with someone you have not seen for a while and share news | We had coffee and caught up after months apart. | catch up with a friend; let's catch up soon |
| shake hands | expression (verb phrase) — to hold and move someone's hand as a greeting | He shook hands with everyone in the room. | shake hands with someone; firm handshake |
| see you later | expression — an informal way to say goodbye | "I have to go now. See you later!" "Bye!" | Also: "See you soon," "Take care," "Catch you later" |
2. Polite Requests, Offers, and Responses
In everyday social situations, you often need to ask for something politely, offer help, or respond to what someone says. These expressions help you sound natural and respectful.
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| excuse me | expression — used to get someone's attention or to apologise for a small interruption | Excuse me, could you tell me where the post office is? | Use before asking a stranger for help or when passing someone |
| could you | expression (modal verb) — a polite way to ask someone to do something | Could you pass me the menu, please? | Could you help me? Could you repeat that? |
| would you like | expression (modal verb) — a polite way to offer something to someone | Would you like a cup of tea? | Would you like to sit down? Would you like some help? |
| please | adverb — used to make a request polite | Can I have a glass of water, please? | Always add "please" to requests to sound polite |
| certainly | adverb — used to agree or say yes in a polite way | "Could you open the window?" "Certainly!" | More formal than "of course" or "sure" |
| no problem | expression — an informal way to say you are happy to help or that something is fine | "Sorry for being late." "No problem at all!" | Also: "Don't worry," "That's fine," "Not at all" |
| mind | verb — to have a problem with something; often used in polite questions | Do you mind if I sit here? | Do you mind if…? I don't mind. Would you mind…? |
3. Apologising, Thanking, and Reacting
Knowing how to apologise, express gratitude, and react naturally to what people say makes your conversations feel warm and genuine. These are some of the most frequently used expressions in everyday English.
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| apologise | verb — to say sorry for something you did wrong | I apologise for being late to the meeting. | apologise for something; apologise to someone |
| sorry | adjective / expression — used to express regret or to apologise | I'm so sorry — I forgot to call you yesterday. | I'm sorry about…; Sorry for the trouble |
| thank you | expression — used to show gratitude | Thank you for helping me carry my bags. | Thank you very much; Thanks a lot (informal) |
| grateful | adjective — feeling or showing thanks for something someone did | I'm really grateful for your help today. | grateful for; be grateful to someone |
| appreciate | verb — to recognise and be thankful for something | I really appreciate your kindness. | I appreciate it; appreciate someone's help/time |
| of course | expression — used to agree, confirm, or show that something is obvious | "Can you help me?" "Of course! What do you need?" | Friendly and natural in most social situations |
| never mind | expression — used to tell someone not to worry about something | "I can't find my ticket." "Never mind, I have a spare one." | Also used when you change your mind about saying something: "Never mind, it doesn't matter." |
Collocations and Useful Expressions
Collocations are words that naturally go together in English. Learning these combinations helps your English sound more natural and fluent in social situations and everyday expressions.
make + a good impression
She wanted to make a good impression when she met her boyfriend's parents.
keep + in touch
Let's keep in touch after the conference — here is my number.
have + a conversation
We had a lovely conversation over dinner.
give + a compliment
He gave her a compliment about her new haircut.
make + small talk
We made small talk while waiting for the bus.
ask + for help
Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
pay + attention
Please pay attention when someone is speaking to you.
feel + comfortable
I always feel comfortable around my close friends.
take + turns
We took turns speaking so everyone had a chance to share.
get + to know someone
It takes time to get to know someone properly.
Important Differences and Confusing Words
Say vs Tell vs Speak vs Talk
These four verbs are all about communication, but we use them in different ways. They are very commonly confused by A2 learners.
| Word | How to use it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| say | Use with the actual words someone speaks. No person needed directly after it. | She said, "I'll be there at seven." / She said goodbye. |
| tell | Use with a person — you always tell someone something. | He told me about the party. / She told us to wait outside. |
| speak | More formal. Used for languages and formal communication. | Do you speak French? / He spoke to the manager. |
| talk | More informal. Used for two-way conversation or discussion. | We talked for hours. / Can I talk to you for a minute? |
Excuse Me vs Sorry vs Pardon
These three expressions can all relate to small apologies or polite interactions, but they are used in slightly different situations.
| Expression | When to use it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| excuse me | Before doing something (interrupting, passing someone, getting attention) | Excuse me, is this seat taken? |
| sorry | After doing something wrong or to express regret | Sorry, I didn't see you there! |
| pardon | When you did not hear or understand what someone said | Pardon? Could you say that again, please? |
Meet vs Know vs Get to Know
- Meet — the first time you see or are introduced to someone. I met my neighbour for the first time yesterday.
- Know — you already have a relationship or familiarity with someone. I know her well — we went to school together.
- Get to know — the process of learning more about someone over time. I'd love to get to know your family better.
Common Mistakes
❌ I am agree with you.
✅ I agree with you. — "Agree" is a verb in English, not an adjective. Do not use "am" before it.
❌ Nice to meet you too much.
✅ Nice to meet you too. — The correct response is simply "Nice to meet you too" or "You too." Do not add "too much."
❌ She told to me her name.
✅ She told me her name. — "Tell" is followed directly by a person. Do not use "to" between "told" and the person.
❌ Excuse me, I'm sorry for bother you.
✅ Excuse me, I'm sorry for bothering you. — After a preposition like "for," use the -ing form of the verb.
❌ Do you speak with English?
✅ Do you speak English? — We say "speak English" (or another language) without the preposition "with."
❌ I want that you come to the party.
✅ I want you to come to the party. — In English, we use "want + person + to + verb," not "want that + person + verb."
❌ Can you say me where the station is?
✅ Can you tell me where the station is? — Use "tell me," not "say me." "Say" does not take a person directly after it.
Social Situations and Everyday Expressions: Quick Summary and Review
In this lesson, you have explored the key vocabulary and expressions you need for social situations and everyday expressions in English. Here is a quick summary of the most important points:
- Use greetings and introductions like "Nice to meet you," "Let me introduce…" and "catch up" when meeting people or seeing friends again.
- Make polite requests and offers with "Could you…?", "Would you like…?", and "Do you mind if…?"
- Show gratitude and apology with "Thank you," "I appreciate it," "I'm sorry," and "No problem."
- Remember the difference between say, tell, speak, and talk — they are not interchangeable.
- Use excuse me before you interrupt, sorry after you do something wrong, and pardon? when you need someone to repeat themselves.
- Learn common collocations like make small talk, keep in touch, make a good impression, and get to know someone to sound natural in conversation.
The more you practise these expressions in real conversations, the more confident and natural you will sound. Try using at least three of these expressions today!
Now practise social situations and everyday expressions vocabulary in the exercises below.
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