Formal greetings are polite ways to say hello and start a conversation in situations like work meetings, interviews, or when meeting someone for the first time.
Common Phrases
Most formal greetings are short phrases you can use in person, on the phone, or in writing to show respect.
| English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Good morning. | Good morning, Ms. Smith. How are you today? |
| Good afternoon. | Good afternoon, Mr. Lee. It's nice to see you. |
| Good evening. | Good evening, Dr. Patel. Thank you for meeting with me. |
| Hello. | Hello, everyone. Welcome to our meeting. |
| How do you do? | How do you do? It's a pleasure to meet you. |
| Nice to meet you. | Nice to meet you. I've heard great things about your work. |
| Pleased to meet you. | Pleased to meet you. I'm looking forward to our collaboration. |
| It's a pleasure to meet you. | It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for taking the time. |
| I hope you're well. | I hope you're well. I wanted to discuss our project update. |
| How are you today? | How are you today? Is there anything I can assist you with? |
Professional Scenarios
Here are some formal greetings tailored for specific professional situations to help you navigate the workplace with confidence.
| English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Thank you for meeting with me. | Thank you for meeting with me this afternoon. |
| It's a pleasure to see you again. | It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Johnson. |
| I appreciate your time. | I appreciate your time and consideration. |
| May I introduce myself? | May I introduce myself? I'm Emily Clark from Marketing. |
| Welcome to our office. | Welcome to our office. Please let me know if you need anything. |
| I look forward to working with you. | I look forward to working with you on this project. |
| Allow me to introduce... | Allow me to introduce my colleague, Mr. Kim. |
| I trust you had a pleasant journey. | I trust you had a pleasant journey. Shall we begin? |
| I’m here to assist you. | I’m here to assist you with any questions you may have. |
| Please feel free to ask questions. | Please feel free to ask questions during the presentation. |
Written Greetings
Formal greetings in writing are important for emails, letters, and other professional communications.
| English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Dear Mr. Smith, | Dear Mr. Smith, I hope this message finds you well. |
| Dear Ms. Johnson, | Dear Ms. Johnson, Thank you for your prompt response. |
| To whom it may concern, | To whom it may concern, I am writing to inquire about... |
| Greetings, | Greetings, I am reaching out regarding the upcoming conference. |
| I hope this email finds you well. | I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up on... |
| Thank you for your attention. | Thank you for your attention to this matter. |
| Best regards, | Best regards, Emily Clark |
| Sincerely, | Sincerely, Michael Lee |
| Yours faithfully, | Yours faithfully, Jane Doe |
| Yours sincerely, | Yours sincerely, Robert Brown |
Which closing phrase would you use if you want to sound respectful and professional?
Best regards,
'Best regards,' is a common formal closing in professional emails and letters, expressing respect.
What is the correct written greeting when you don't know who will read your message?
To whom it may concern,
'To whom it may concern,' is used in formal writing when the specific reader is unknown.
Polite Responses
These are polite ways to respond to formal greetings, helping you maintain professionalism and courtesy.
| English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| How do you do? | How do you do? It’s a pleasure to meet you. |
| I’m doing well, thank you. | I’m doing well, thank you. How about yourself? |
| Thank you for asking. | Thank you for asking. I’m looking forward to our meeting. |
| It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. | It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. |
| I appreciate your concern. | I appreciate your concern. Things are going smoothly. |
| I’m fine, thank you. | I’m fine, thank you. And you? |
| Very well, thank you. | Very well, thank you. Shall we get started? |
| I’m grateful for the opportunity. | I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with you. |
| Thank you, I’m doing well. | Thank you, I’m doing well. I hope the same for you. |
| I look forward to working with you. | I look forward to working with you. |
Formal greetings help you make a positive impression and communicate respectfully in a variety of situations.
Flashcards (1 of 40)
- Example Sentence: Good morning, Ms. Smith. How are you today?
- English: Good morning.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
