Good Byes and Farewells in English
Farewells and Well Being
Greeting Guests Introductions Chit Chatting
After the introductions it is only natural to continue the conversation in some way. Many
people inquire about your well being, especially with friends, acquaintances, and co-workers.
Several expressions can be used for this, and the responses to these inquiries depend on how
you actually feel. Look at these examples:
Expressions for Well Being
IF GOOD
How are you? Great.
How’s it going? Couldn’t be better.
How has your day been? Fantastic.
IF SO-SO
How have you been? Could be worse.
How’s the family? Fair to middling.
Did you have a good day? I can’t complain.
IF BAD
How do you feel? Not too good.
How was your day? I’ve had better days.
Have you had a good day? No, it was lousy.
After greeting, introductions, and polite conversation people will go their separate ways.
There are numerous expressions that can be used when giving farewells. Some are more
formal than others. Obviously the more formal expressions are more appropriate when
interacting with guests. Look at the examples below.
Expressions for Farewells
More Formal expressions
Goodbye
Thank you for coming. Have a pleasant day.
Goodbye, please come again.
Goodbye, I hope to see you again.
Less Formal Goodbyes
See you later (soon) So long
Good bye Bye
I have to run I have to be going now
Catch you later Later
See you again Please come again
The informal expressions above can be used among friends and co-workers, but would be too
informal to use with guests.
Point to remember
Bye-Bye is an expression that very young children use when they are first beginning
to talk, or on rare occasions by women, but almost never by adult males.
