Conversation Starters

Question 1

Greetings

Answer 1

Hi.
    How are you doing?
    What's up?
    How's it going?
    Good morning!
    Hello
    Hi
        Good afternoon
    Good evening*
    Hey, John.
    How's it goin'?**

Question 2

Asking about recent events

Answer 2

What’s new?
How’ve you been?

Nice to see you.
Long time no see. (I haven't seen you in a while.)
What have you been up to?
How are things?
It's been a while. (It's been a while since I've seen you.)
What's new?
Not much. (answer to What's new?)

Question 3

Asking about someone’s family

Answer 3

How’s Alice?
How are your kids?
What’s Savitha been up to lately?

A: How’s Lisa doing?
B: Pretty good (1). She’s started going to the gym a lot lately (2). She’s really been getting into it lately.
A: Oh yeah? That’s good.
B: Yeah, she’s enjoying it. What about Janice (3)?

Question 4

Talking about the weather

Answer 4

It’s beautiful today, isn’t it?
Cold outside, huh?

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.
I hear they're calling for thunderstorms all weekend.
We couldn't ask for a nicer day, could we?
How about this weather?
Did you order this sunshine?  “It's awfully cold for March.” “What's up with this erratic weather we've been having, huh?” Yes, very mild for the time of year

Question 5

Talking about people you both know

Answer 5

Have you talked to Jessica lately?
I saw Barry a couple days ago.
Guess who I ran into!

Question 6

Talking about current events

Answer 6

Did you catch the news today?
Did you hear about that fire on Fourth St?
What do you think about this transit strike?
I read in the paper today that the Sears Mall is closing.
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?

Question 7

At the office

Answer 7

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?

    Please have a seat.
    Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.
    He'll be right with you.
    Can I offer you something to drink?
    My pleasure.

Question 8

At a social event

Answer 8

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?

Who are you here with?
How do you know Jane? (party host)
I don't think we've met.
Have you been here long?
Have you tried the cheese dip/dessert/punch?
Where did you get your costume?
The food looks great. I can't wait to try the dip.
I love your dress/shirt/hat. It really suits you. (looks good on you)
These decorations are wonderful. I love the table cloth/balloons/flowers.

Question 9

Out for a walk

Answer 9

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?

Question 10

Waiting somewhere

Answer 10

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?
I’ll have to remember not to come here on Mondays.
How long have you been waiting?

Question 11

in a Friend’s Home

Answer 11

You can call me...
    Thanks for coming.
    Thanks for having me.
    I've heard so much about you.
    It's nice to put a face to a name.
    You have a beautiful home.

Question 12

Common questions and responses about Weather

Answer 12

What’s it like out? It’s miserable out.
How’s the weather? It’s ten below. (-10 degrees)
Do you have rain? We haven’t had a drop of rain for weeks.
What’s the temperature there? It’s 22 degrees Celsius.
It’s snowing here, what’s it doing there? It’s pouring outside. (raining heavily)
Beautiful day, huh? We couldn’t ask for a better day than this.
What’s the weather forecast? They’re calling for blue skies all week.

Question 13

lessons for making small talk

Answer 13

Oh wow. That sounds fascinating.
“You’ll have to tell me more about it later.”
I’m getting a head start on my Christmas shopping.
“It took forever to go through customs.”

PhraseMix Examples Categories function: making small talk
15 English lessons for making small talk
English Lesson: Oh wow. That sounds fascinating.
1. “Oh wow. That sounds fascinating.”
English Lesson: You’ll have to tell me more about it later.
2. “You’ll have to tell me more about it later.”
English Lesson: I just caught the tail end of it.
3. “I just caught the tail end of it.”
English Lesson: It’s awfully cold for March.
4. “It’s awfully cold for March.”
English Lesson: What’s up with this erratic weather we’ve been having, huh?
5. “What’s up with this erratic weather we’ve been having, huh?”
English Lesson: It took forever to go through customs.
6. “It took forever to go through customs.”
English Lesson: I’m getting a head start on my Christmas shopping.
7. “I’m getting a head start on my Christmas shopping.”
8. “How do you like it so far?”
9. “What’s it like living in New York?”
What’s it like working with Will Smith?
What’s it like having your parents live with you?
So what’s it like owning your own business?
10. “So Claire, what do you do?”
11. “It’s supposed to clear up by Friday.”
12. “I wish it would stop raining.”
13. “It only takes me about 15 minutes.”
14. “Did you catch the last episode of Lost?”
15. “How did you find out about this?”