Informal Greetings and Farewells

Informal Greetings and Farewells

JANE  : Hi, Helen! How's it going?
HELEN : Fine, thanks - and you?
JANE  : Just fine. Where are you off to?
HELEN : To the library. I've got a history exam next week and 
        need to start studying. Ugh.
JANE  : Oh, no. Well. I'll see you later then. Good luck!
HELEN : Thanks. See you later.


Language Notes

• "Hi" is an informal way of saying "hello." Notice that the "i" sound in "hi" is extended, to show that Jane is very pleased to see Helen.
• "How's it going?" is an informal way of saying "How are you?"
• "Fine, thanks - and you?" Notice the rising intonation on "and you?" This shows that Helen is interested in what Jane has to say.
• "Where are you off to?" is an informal way of saying "Where are you going?" Notice the falling intonation since this is an information question, not a "Yes/no" question.
• "To the library." Notice that Helen does not say "I'm going" here because that information was already established in the question "Where are you off to?"
• "Oh, no" is way of saying "I sympathize with you" or "I understand you are not happy."
• "See you later" is an informal way of saying "goodbye."