Fine

I’m fine

You say I’m fine in reply someone who has asked how you are. Even if you are not
really feeling fine it is conventional to say that you are, rather than to tell someone what
is wrong with you. The expression is often shortened to fine:

 ‘Good morning, Jean! How are you?’

‘I’m fine, thank you, Mary. How are you?’
 ‘Hi, Ben! How are you?’
‘Fine, thanks, Pete. And how are you?’

Language Help
You use I’m very well and I’m OK in the same way except that I’m OK
is more informal:
 ‘Good morning, Jill. How are you today?’
‘I’m very well, thank you, Mary. How are you?’
 ‘Hi, Bill. How are you?’
‘I’m OK, thanks. And you?’

Hello!

You use hello! As a conventional greeting when you meet someone:

 Hello, Jane! Where are you off to in such a hurry?

 Hello, Mary! I’m sorry I’m late.
 Language Help
You also say Hello! When you answer the phone:
 Hello! This is Jane Brown speaking.
You also say Hello! To the person who answers the phone when you are
making a phone call:
 Hello! I’d like to speak to the manager, please.

Hi!

You use hi! As an informal alternative to hello! When you meet someone:

 Hi, Tom! How are you doing?

 Hi, Lucy! I haven’t seen you for ages.

Morning

Good morning

You say ‘good morning’ to someone as a greeting when you meet them in the morning.
This is often shortened to morning! :

 Good morning, Mr. Brown. I’m just off to the newsagent to collect my
newspaper.
 Morning, Lucy! I can’t stop to chat because I’m already late!