Greetings in Passing

It is polite to greet a person you know. However, you don't always have time to stop and have a conversation. Just remember to smile as you say hello. A small wave is also polite. Sometimes you pass the same person a second time on the same day. You can say "hello again" or just smile.

Tips

*Slow down to greet someone you know. You don't have to stop what you are doing (walking, working, shopping).

*Say an appropriate form of hello.

*Smile and wave.

Useful phrases

*Hello
*Hi
*Good morning
*Good afternoon
*Good evening
*Hey, Mary.
*How's it goin'? (Native speakers often shorten "going" to "goin" in casual greetings.)

Slang greetings in passing

Using slang in a greeting is typical between close friends. Teens often use slang when they greet each other. Certain English speaking countries also have their own popular form of "hello".

*Howdy
*Hiya
*Whazzup?
*Yo
*G'day (Australia)