Page 238 - Basic English Usage

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Asking about health etc

When we meet people, we often ask politely about their heaith or their
general situation.
How are you? Howare things? (informal)
How's it going? (informal)
Answers:
Very well, thank you. And you? Fine, thank you.
Informal answers:
Not too bad.
OK.
So-so.
All right.
(It) could be worse.
Special greetings
Greetings for special occasions are:
Happy birthday! OR Many happy returns!
Happy New Year/Easter!
Happy/Merry Christmas!

Holidays
Before somebody starts a holiday, we may say:
Have a good holiday.
When the holiday is over, we may Say:
Did you have a good holiday?

Journeys
We do not a/ways wish people a good journey, but common expressions
are:
Have agood trip. Have agood journey.
Safe journey home.
After a journey (for example, when we meet people at the airport or
station), we may say:
Did you have a good journey/flight?
Did you have a good trip?

Meals
We do not have fixed expressions for the beginning and end of meals.
At family meals, people may say something nice about the food during
the meal (for example This is very nice) and after (for example That was
lovely: thank you very much). Some religious people say ‘grace’ (a short
prayer) before and after meals.