HCW102/204-205-206-207

Professor Claudio Díaz F.

Unit 2: Express Yourself

Small Talk

Small talk phrases

Below are some typical small talk phrases you can use next time you bump into someone
you know, where perhaps you haven’t seen each other for a while.

If you feel uncomfortable with small talk, next time try to stay longer in the interaction.
Stay one minute longer than you would normally. Do it regularly and you’ll be more
relaxed in these situations.

Opening the Conversation

Hi, fancy seeing you here – how are you?

Hi, it’s great to see you again!
Hi, how are you doing?
I haven’t seen you for/in ages – how are things?
I haven’t seen you since (Christmas). How are you going?

Phrases like ‘how are you going?’ are often shortened in spoken English to ‘How you
going?’ or phonetically you’ll even hear something like ‘how-ya going?’

‘Fancy meeting you here!’ is used especially in the UK and Australia to show you’re
surprised to meet them at this place.

Catching up and gossiping

(The) last time I saw you, you were looking for a new job. How did that go?
I think it’s been a year now. Did you end up getting that job/promotion?

Use ‘that’ to refer to things both already know about, in this case ‘that job’ refers to ‘that
job I remember you applied for’

I remember you were planning to head off to Japan. How did it go?

Did you hear about Susan and Jim? They’re getting a divorce!

You won’t believe this – Kelly’s pregnant!

Last time I heard you were moving to London. What happened?

Asking about their work or studies

Are you still working for (company)?

Are you still with (company)?
How’s it going at (company/university)?
How’s business?
So how are your studies going?
So how’s work going?
HCW102/204-205-206-207
Professor Claudio Díaz F.

Responding to good news

That’s great!
That’s wonderful!

Congratulations on getting the job / the promotion!

Awesome | fantastic | cool!

Responding to bad or disappointing news

I’m really sorry to hear that.

Well I hope everything will be alright.
Will you manage ok?
That’s terrible!
That’s awful!
I just can’t believe it.

Asking after someone else

How are the kids?

How’s Mike going?
Please say ‘hi’ to him for me.
Please give my regards to (person) for me. [more formal]

Commenting on someone’s new look

Hey I really like your new hairstyle.

I really love that tie / that suit / that jacket – where’d you get it?
You look like you’ve been working out. You look in great shape!
You look great!
Those glasses really suit you!

Closing the conversation

It’s been great to see you again but I’d better be off.
Sorry, I’ve got to go – I’ve got a meeting at 11am.
Listen, we should do this again sometime [and then swap numbers if you don’t have their
details]
Look, let’s catch up again – what about next week? [if you’re confident you both want
to catch up]
It was great talking with you, but I’ve got to go. Good luck with the new job!
I’d better let you go. This is a polite way to show you are respecting their time, but you
want to go too

Talking about the weather

Beautiful day, isn't it?

Can you believe all of this rain we've been having?
It looks like it's going to snow.
It sure would be nice to be in Hawaii right about now.
We couldn't ask for a nicer day, could we?
How about this weather?
HCW102/204-205-206-207
Professor Claudio Díaz F.

Talking about current events

Did you catch the news today?

Did you hear about that fire on Fourth St?
What do you think about this transit strike?
I heard on the radio today that they are finally going to start building the new bridge.
How about those Reds? Do you think they're going to win tonight?

At the office

Looking forward to the weekend?

Have you worked here long?
I can't believe how busy/quiet we are today, can you?
Has it been a long week?
You look like you could use a cup of coffee.
What do you think of the new computers?

At a social event

So, how do you know Justin?

Have you tried the cabbage rolls that Sandy made?
Are you enjoying yourself?
It looks like you could use another drink.
Pretty nice place, huh?
I love your dress. Can I ask where you got it?

Out for a walk

How old's your baby?

What's your puppy's name?
The tulips are sure beautiful at this time of year, aren't they.
How do you like the new park?
Nice day to be outside, isn't it?

Waiting somewhere

I didn't think it would be so busy today.

You look like you've got your hands full (with children or goods).
The bus must be running late today.
It looks like we are going to be here a while, huh?
How long have you been waiting?