Greeting keys
JANE: I’m good.
FORMAL/STANDARD
1. AAJEEZ: How do you do, Ms Khan?
KHAN: How do you do, Mr Aajeez? Delighted to
meet you.
2. JANE: How do you do, Mr Frederick? Glad to
meet you.
FREDERICK: Me too.
3. SHARON: Hi, I’m Sharon Taylor.
YOU: Nice to meet you, Sharon.
4. RICKY: Pleased to meet you, Mr Shaker.
SHAKER: The pleasure’s (all) mine.
5. SHAMA: Good morning, sir.
MR ARIF: Good morning, Shama. (How’re
you?)
6. ROHIT: Good evening, Ms Mehrin, how are
you?
MEHRIN: (I’m) Very well, thank you, Rohit.
And how about you?
ROHIT: I’m perfect, thank you, ma’am.
7. YOU: (attracting Shama’s attention; she is
standing afar) Hi, there, Shama.
SHAMA: Haaaii! How are you?
YOU: Fine, thanks! And how about you?
SHAMA: Great!
8. YOU: Good day!
SMITH: Same to you.
INFORMAL
1. SMITH: Hi. How (are) you doing? (esp. AmE)
2. YOU: Good afternoon, Reshad. How are things
(with you)?
RESHAD: (It) Could be worse. / Been better.
3. YOU: Hey, how’s things?
AAJEEZ: All right.
4. YOU: Hello, Rohit. How’s life?
ROHIT: OK, nothing special in fact. You?
YOU: Not too bad, thanks.
5. YOU: Hi, Shaker. What’s up?
SHAKER: Nothing much.
6. YOU: Hi dude, what are you up to?
SHAKER: Nothin’ special.
EXERCISES
Greeting People:
What would you say when……
a) You meet Professor John in the afternoon.
______________________________
b) Your mother says: “This is an Italian colleague
of mine, Mr Pertini.”
______________________________
c) Your friend says: “How are you?”
______________________________
d) You meet Mr Arif at 12.05 PM.
______________________________
e) You meet a neighbour’s daughter at 11.45.
______________________________
f) You see Shaker, your friend, standing before a
station but he doesn’t see you.
______________________________
 Introduction keys
FORMAL
1. VISITOR: Hello, I’m Hendrik van der Lock from
Airtel. I have an appointment with Shama
Sharmin.
RECEPTIONIST: Oh, yes, Mr van der Lock.
Welcome to Anand Products. Ms Shama will be
along with you in a few minutes.
2. KIM: (entering an office) Hello, my name’s Kim
Herald. I’ve an appointment to see . . .
ANIL: Oh hello Kim, I’m Anil Roy. We’ve spoken
on the phone a couple of times. Nice to meet you.
KIM: It’s nice to be here.
3. AN EXECUTIVE: When Shaker enters the office)
Hello, I’m Sue Pyong. How can we help you?
SHAKER: Oh hi, thank you. I’m Shaker Sharif. I
was looking for Ms Shama Suleri.
4. PS: (You, the PS to Mr Nil, announces the arrival of
Ms Sima) Ms Sima Sen to see you, Mr Nil.
5. SHAMA: Mr Lock, may I introduce a colleague of
mine, Ms Sara Hall?
LOCK: How do you do, Ms Hall? Glad to meet
you.
SARA: Me too. And please call me Sara.
SHAMA: And this is Salim. He’s my Assistant.
LOCK: Hello Mr Sallim. Pleased to meet you.
6. AAJEEZ: Madam, allow me to introduce a friend
of mine, Sara Hall.
ROXANA: Hi Sara, nice to meet you.
7. YOU: (At airport, looking for a visitor, who you
don’t know very well) Excuse me, are you Mr
Jansen?
JANSEN: Yes. I’m Henk Jansen.
YOU: How do you do, Mr Jansen? I’m Aajeez
Arman from Anand Products.
JANSEN: How do you do, Mr Arman?
YOU: Did you have a good journey?
JANSEN: Yes, it was fine, thanks.
YOU: May/Can I introduce you to Sayema Khan?
She’s our Project Manager.
JANSEN: Hello, Sayema. Glad to meet you.
SAYEMA: Me too.
8. IMRAN: (He is introducing himself to two
strangers at a party) May I introduce myself?
My name’s Imran Khan. I’m from Anand
Products.
SEMI-FORMAL
1. RAHIM: (a messenger) Good afternoon. I’ve
brought this paper. It’s for some Mr Arman.
RECEPTIONIST: Ok. I’ll look at it. (She starts
phoning; then…) Oh, excuse me. I don’t know your
name.
RAHIM: Rahim, Abdur Rahim.
2. YOU: (Narmin is your colleague)
Narmin, have you met Arif, my secretary?
Arif, she is Narmin.
NARMIN: Hello. It’s nice meeting you.
3. YOU: Hello Sayema. Meet my friend Shaker.
Shaker, she’s Sayema, our project manager. I don’t
think you’ve met each other
 4. YOU: (At a party/office canteen, you see Henk
who you don’t know very well) You must be
Henk.
JANSEN: That’s right. Henk Jansen.
5. YOU: (At a party, you see Narmin) Good
evening, Narmin. Now, let me introduce you to
some of my friends. . . . I’d like you to meet
Shaker Sharif. Shaker, this is Narmin Nayar.
SHAKER: Hello.
NARMIN: Hello, Mr Sharif.
SHAKER: Oh, do call me Shaker.
YOU: If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you two
together. (To Shaker) See you in a moment, dear.
SHAKER: Right. (To Narmin) I’m sorry. I didn’t
catch your name.
6. SMITH: Hi Shama!
SHAMA: Hello Smith. How’re you?
SMITH: Perfect. (Seeing a girl beside her who he
knows not) Well, won’t you introduce me to her?
SHAMA: Oh, I’m so sorry. Mr Smith, she’s Narmin,
my friend, and Narmin, it’s Mr Smith, our client.
INFORMAL
1. YOU: Hi, My name’s Thomas.
TONNY: I’m Tonny. Nice to meet you.
2. YOU: Shaker, this is Aajeez, my brother.
3. YOU: (You’re introducing two people) Aajeez, this
is Narmin (my colleague), and this is Tom.
4. YOU: Shaker, do you know Shama? Shama, this
is my friend Shaker. And Shaker, she’s Shama,
working for our company. I don’t think you two
know each other, do you?
5. YOU: (Seeing a boy with Shama who you don’t
know) Well Shama, introduce your friend.
SHAMA: Oh yes. He’s Sohel, my cousin, just
returned from Australia.
EXERCISES
Introducing People:
What would you say when……
a) Introduce Arif to your colleague, Roxana.
______________________________
b) Introduce your friend John to Mr Alec, your
boss.
______________________________
c) The customer services manager, Mrs Ronald,
doesn’t know Tom Elm, the new export clerk.
______________________________
d) Introduce your fiancé/fiancée to your teacher.
______________________________
e) You enter an office full of strangers one
morning to meet Ms Vanessa Morn. A man
asks you if they can help you.
______________________________
ROLEPLAY
Introduce -
o yourself to a new secretary at work.
o your wife/husband to your boss.
o your fiancé(e) to your mother.
o yourself to an important-looking stranger at a
party.
o your friend to someone you’ve just met but
whose name you’ve forgotten or didn’t hear
clearly.
 Welcome keys SHAKER: That’s very kind. Thank you.

MAA: It’s the least I could do, dear!

1. MR ALIM: It gives me great pleasure to welcome

you all to this meeting of the share holders.
EXERCISES
2. AAJEEZ: It’s an honour/honor to have the
privilege of welcoming you to this international
conference.
Welcoming People:
What would you say when……
3. SHAMA: Ladies and gentleman! I’m very pleased to
welcome you to our little celebration. I thank you a) Welcome the audience to a cultural
very much for all that you have done for the programme.
company. Also I’m delighted to announce that Mr
______________________________
Aajeez has been awarded a scholarship to Australia.
(Raising her glass) Now, a toast!
b) You host a party to celebrate your victory at an
election. Welcome the audience.
4. YOU: Hello Roxy. Welcome to our department. ______________________________

ROXY: Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here. c) A new manager joins your office today.
YOU: I hope you enjoy your stay with us. ______________________________

d) Your friend halts at your place for a day on

5. SHAKER: (greeting his boss to the party he hosts) her/his way home.
Good evening. Welcome to the party. ______________________________

e) At your birthday party, your teacher arrives.

6. AAJEEZ: (greeting his colleague at the door to a
Act pleasantly surprised. Welcome her/him.
party he hosts) Hi there, Shama. Come and join
______________________________
the party.

7. YOU: (bringing Shaker your home to stay for a

week) Hi Maa, let me introduce you to Shaker.

MAA: How do you do, Shaker? It’s so nice to

meet you at last. Make yourself at
home/Make yourself comfortable.
 Thanking keys 8. YOU: Would you like to have a cigarette?

ALIM: Thank you. But sorry Idon’t smoke.

FORMAL
INFORMAL

1. AAJEEZ: Could you show me the way to the 1. YOU: Thanks (a lot).
office?
AAJEEZ: You’re welcome.
OLD MAN: Oh yes, it’s just round the corner.

AAJEEZ: That’s very kind of you.

2. YOU: Thank you very much indeed.

MS ROXANA: That’s OK.

2. YOU: (when sb agrees/offers to do sth for you)
It’s really kind of you to lend me your car.

WOMAN: You’re welcome (my ear).It’s the 3. SHAKER: Do you need a puff?
least I could do.
YOU: No, thanks.
3. YOU: Mr Alam, we’d like to thank you very
much for visiting us.

ALAM: It’s a pleasure (to be here)!

EXERCISES
4. WOMAN: Thank you very much, indeed.

Thanking:
YOU: (It’s) My pleasure.
What would you say when……
a) Somebody you don’t know very well offers
5. YOU: Thank you (so much). you a lift home from office.
______________________________
b) You are leaving the home of your new
SHAMA: Don’t mention (it). neighbour, after a dinner party, which was
your first social contact with them.
______________________________
6. ARIF: Thank you, Nil, for lending me the book. c) You are leaving your friend Shaker’s house
after an enjoyable dinner party.
______________________________
NIL: That’s (quite) all right.

d) You deliver your son/little sister to some

7. YOU: Should I give you a hand?
neighbour who has offered to look after
him/her while you go to the theatre.
ASHWINI: Oh, thank you so much. But I ______________________________
believe I can manage it myself.
e) Someone you don’t know offers you a lift
home. Decline politely.
 ______________________________

f) You are leaving your friend Shaker’s house

after an enjoyable dinner party.
______________________________

g) You are leaving your friend Shaker’s house

after an enjoyable dinner party.
______________________________
 Taking-leave keys: General Taking-leave keys:
Situational
1. AAJEEZ: Good bye, Mr Reshad.
RESHAD: Good bye. LEAVING A PARTY
2. MR PERTINI: I’m afraid I’ve to go now.
YOU: it was nice to meet you. Good bye. FORMAL

1. MR BOND: Thank you so much (for inviting

3. SHAKER: Are you leaving, Naz?
NAZ: Oh, I’m afraid so. See you dear. Bye. us), Mr Aajeez. It’s been a most enjoyable
SHAKER: Bye. evening.
AAJEEZ: It was great having you. Good bye,
4. MR PERTINI: I’d better leave now.
sir.
YOU: Bye then. See you later.
MR BOND: Good bye.
5. AAJEEZ: See you (tomorrow)!
RESHAD: Cheers! (BrE) 2. ROXANA: Aajeez, thank you so much for such a
wonderful party.
6. MR PERTINI: Bye John. AAJEEZ: Oh Ms Roxana! Do you have to go?
JOHN: Cheerio! (BrE) The party’s just beginning.
7. AAJEEZ: (to a little kid) Bye-bye Toto. ROXANA: Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve got to go to meet
TOTO: Ta–ta . someone at the airport. Goodbye, Aajeez.
8. YOU: (Goodbye.) Have a good/nice weekend!
JOHN: Same to you. INFORMAL
9. YOU: Goodbye. I’ve really enjoyed the 1. SHAKER: (leaving a party his friend hosts)
holiday. Thanks very much Aajeez for a wonderful
10. AAJEEZ: Good night, Narmin. evening.
NARMIN: See you, Aajeez. Take care. AAJEEZ: Thanks for coming. Bye, Shaker.

11. AAJEEZ: Good night! SHAKER: See you (next week). Take care.
NARMIN: Good night!
12. AAJEEZ: Good night! AFTER A BUSINESS/OFFICIAL
NARMIN: Sleep well! TRANSACTION
13. YOU: Bye. Keep in touch.
1. YOU: (after a meeting with Mr Henk)
14. YOU: Goodbye. Make sure you keep in touch.
Goodbye. It’s been most interesting
Look after yourself.
talking to you. We’ll let you know by post.
15. YOU: Goodbye. Thank you for everything.
2. YOU: Goodbye. Here’s my number. Please get
16. YOU: Best wishes to all of you! in touchif you have any problem with it.

3. YOU: (to a cooperative office assistant) Thank

you very much for all your help. Goodbye.
OA: It’s my pleasure. Goodbye.
BIDDING FAREWELL
1. YOU: (your guest is leaving your house) Goodbye!
Drive carefully and call us when you get there.
2. YOU: (a relative is flying/going to another
place/country) Goodbye! Have a safe journey.
Send us a postcard!
3. SAM: Goodbye Nil. I’ll ring you when I reach.
NIL: You must. Safe journey home. Goodbye!

4. ROXANA: (to her student going to attend a quiz

contest) Good luck to all of you! Goodbye!

EXERCISES

Taking Leave/ Leaving:

What would you say when……
a) You are seeing off your friend, Shaker.
__________________________________

b) Your father says: “Good night”.

__________________________________

c) You’ve finished interviewing a person who

applied for a job in your company. Tell
her/him you will inform her/him by post.
__________________________________
 Permission keys Granting/Refusing Permission

YES
Seeking Permission

1. YOU: Sure / Certainly.

FORMAL
2. YOU: (Yes) Of course.

1. YOU: Could I possibly borrow your pen? 3. YOU: Yes, please do.

2. YOU: Would you mind if I switched the bulb? 4. YOU: (Sure) Go ahead.

3. YOU: Tell me. Are we allowed to take a day off 5. YOU: Please feel free.
with two days’ notice?

4. YOU: May I take your plate away, sir? UNSURE

SEMI-FORMAL/STANDARD 6. YOU: It’s all right as far as I’m concerned. But

there are some regulations. You should talk to
the officer-in-charge.
1. YOU: Could I borrow your pen?
7. YOU: I’m not sure about that. I’ll have to ask.
2. YOU: Roxana, I hope you don’t mind if I gave
you some advice.
NO
3. YOU: Do you mind if I go now?

4. YOU: Would you mind if I asked you something? 1. YOU: I’m afraid I’d prefer if you didn’t/don’t.

5. YOU: Asif! I am so sorry to be a nuisance. Is it 2. YOU: I’m sorry, but I’m afraid it isn’t possible.
okay to use your phone?

6. YOU: May I open the window please? 3. YOU: Unfortunately, I have to say ‘no’.

4. YOU: No, you can’t/ No, please don’t.

INFORMAL
5. YOU: Of course, you can’t (bring them to the
cinema). They are not allowed in the
1. YOU: Can I borrow your pen? cinema.

2. YOU: Is it all right to bring home my friend? 6. YOU: Not at all.

3. YOU: Mind if I use your phone?

EXERCISES i) You want to switch the AC in a public bus off.
(Refuse politely)
______________________________

j) You meet the MD of your company to ask for

INQUIRE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING: leave tomorrow. Specify the reason. (You’re
unsure)
______________________________
Use “May I...?” or “Could I possibly...?” OR Use “Are
you allowed to...?””
k) You meet your teacher and you want to submit
 Watch TV late at the weekend the assignment a day later. (Grant)
 Use someone’s laptop ______________________________
 Wear sleeveless Ts at university
 Have parties outdoor
 Walk in the class while the teacher is lecturing
 Bring a friend to a class
 Drink tea/soup during a class

ASKING ABOUT PERMISSION:

What would you say when……
d) You want to use a neighbour’s guitar.
______________________________

e) You meet your friend and you want to

use her/his photo on your FB page.
______________________________

f) You want to switch the AC in a public bus off.

______________________________

g) You meet the MD of your company to ask for

leave tomorrow. Specify the reason.
______________________________

h) You meet your teacher and you want to submit

the assignment a day later.
______________________________

GRANTING/REFUSING PERMISSION:
What would you say when……
a) You want to use a neighbour’s guitar. (Grant
Enthusiastically)
______________________________

b) You meet your friend and you want to

use her/his photo on your FB page. (Refuse)
______________________________
 Invitation keys YOU: It’s my pleasure. Thank you very much,
Ma’am.

6. YOU: Would you like to go to a concert on Friday?

Basic Key:
JANE: Well, I’d love to, but I’m busy that evening.
 An invitation: Would you ask somebody to
do something.

Would you like to come?

EXERCISES
FORMAL

1. YOU: Mr Arefin, this evening, (as I mentioned) I
will have the pleasure, I hope, of taking you out for
dinner at Sheraton.
AREFIN: That would be wonderful.
2. MR ANDREWS: My wife and I would like to
invite you to lunch on Friday.
AREFIN: I’d really like to, Mr Andrews, but I’m
afraid I’ve accepted an invitation to lunch with Mr
Nil.
INVITING:
What would you say when you…… (START
WITH “WOULD YOU LIKE (TO)”)
a) Invite a colleague to play tennis on Saturday.
______________________________
b) Invite your teacher to have dinner with you
and your parents on Friday evening.
______________________________
c) Invite a client to visit your factory.
______________________________

MR ANDREWS: Oh, what a pity! We must d) Invite your Chair/MD to your wedding.
arrange something else, then. Or some other day? ______________________________
Tell me, are you free on Tuesday?

3. MS WAHIDA: I do think we should get to know

each other a bit better. Would you like to have lunch
(with us) on Sunday?

YOU: Oh, I’d love to. But I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve
got another appointment for Sunday. I might be able
to cancel it. Could I let you know later?

MR ANDREWS: Certainly.

4. NARMIN: Would you like to join us for a meal at

our place tomorrow?

YOU: I’d be delighted to.

NARMIN: Good. That’s settled then.

5. YOU: I wonder if you could attend my seminar this

Monday afternoon.

JANSEN: Oh sure. It’s so nice of you to invite me.

 Offering keys
OLD LADY: That’s very kind of you. My hands
are rather dirty.

Basic Key: 13. YOU: If you need any help, just let me know.

 An offer: when you want to do something 14. MR ANDREWS: Do you need any help?
doe somebody.
YOU: That’s very kind of you to offer. (But No,
Would you like me to come? I‘ll be perfectly all right, thank you.)

15. YOU: Be seated, please.

FORMAL
MR ARMAN: Thank you.

7. YOU: Would you like to give a speech, Mr Arefin? 16. YOU: Shall I get you a chair?

AREFIN: Oh, that’s very nice of you. Thank you. MR ARMAN: Yes, please.

8. AAJEEZ: Mr Walden, would you be interested in a

permanent job with us? EXERCISES
AREFIN: Oh, that’s very kind of you. But may I
know what sort of job did you have in mind?
OFFERING/MAKE OFFERS: (USE THE CUES
AAJEEZ: I’d like to offer you the new post of PROVIDED)
Development Manager.
What would you say when……
AREFIN: That’s very tempting. But I’d like some a) You offer your English guest some tea.
more details. (Would you like…?)
______________________________

9. YOU: (to a guest) Would you take some tea? b) Your visitor finished her cup of coffee. Ask
her if she’d like another cup. (Would you
THE GUEST: I’ll have coffee, please. like…?)
______________________________

10. YOU: (to a guest) Would you like another cup? c) You see an old man struggling with a heavy
suitcase. Offer to carry his suitcase. (Would
THE GUEST: No thanks. It’s very good, but I’ve you like to…?)
had enough. ______________________________

OR

THE GUEST: Oh, I’d love to.

11. JANSEN: I’d like to offer you a lift home.

YOU: No, It’s all right, thanks, Jansen. My taxi’s

waiting outside.

12. JANSEN: Would you like me to open the door for

you?