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 a way of saying “I sympathize with you” or “I understand you are not happy.” 

•  “See you later” is an informal way of saying “goodbye.”