Meeting a Friend

Learn how to meet and chat with a friend in the park. This lesson provides simple dialogues for greetings, asking about their day, and making plans.

SpeakItGo• FEATURED• 4 min

BEGINNER

You:

Hi! I'm so glad to see you.

Friend:

Hi! Me too. You're right on time.

You:

Yes. How was your day?

Friend:

It was good. I'm happy to be at the park.

You:

Me too. It's a nice day.

Friend:

What do you want to do first?

You:

Let's walk by the lake.

Friend:

Okay. That sounds relaxing.

You:

Are you hungry? We can get ice cream later.

Friend:

Yes, I am. That's a great idea!

Vocabulary

right on time

Arriving at the exact time that was planned.

You're right on time for the meeting.
The bus arrived right on time.
She came home right on time for dinner.

lake

A large body of water surrounded by land.

Let's walk by the lake.
The park has a beautiful lake.
We saw ducks on the lake.

Grammar Tip: Using 'How was...?'

The phrase 'How was...?' is a great way to ask a question about a past event. It's a simple, friendly way to start a conversation.

Common Mistakes

❌ Asking 'How your day?'

✅ Use the full question form: 'How was your day?'

This is a simple grammatical rule. The helping verb 'was' is necessary to form the question correctly and makes it sound more natural.

❌ Using 'go to' instead of 'go to the park.'

✅ Use the full phrase 'go to the park.'

The article 'the' is needed when you are referring to a specific place that both people know about.

Notes for Learners

Be ready to greet your friend and ask about their day.
Practice using phrases like 'I'm so glad to see you.' and 'How was your day?'
Listen for the person's answers and respond with a simple answer.
Remember to suggest a plan and make a plan together.

INTERMEDIATE

You:

Hey! I'm glad we could finally meet up. It's been a while.

Friend:

Me too! I've been looking forward to this. How have you been?

You:

I've been well, thanks. Just busy with work. It's nice to get out of the office for a bit.

Friend:

I know what you mean. The weather is perfect for it. The park is a great spot to catch up.

You:

It really is. So, what have you been up to since we last spoke?

Friend:

Not much, just the usual. I've been doing some jogging in the mornings.

You:

That's great. I've been meaning to do that myself. We should do it together sometime.

Friend:

I'd love that! Let's get a coffee first, though. I'm a bit tired from the week.

You:

Sounds like a plan. I'll get the first round. My treat.

Friend:

You're a lifesaver! Thank you. Let's go.

Vocabulary

catch up

To talk to someone you have not seen for some time and find out what they have been doing.

The park is a great spot to catch up.
Let's catch up over coffee.
I haven't seen you in a while. We should catch up.

looking forward to

Feeling pleased and excited about something that is going to happen.

I've been looking forward to this.
I'm looking forward to my vacation.
She's looking forward to seeing her family.

Grammar Tip: Using 'It's been...'

The phrase 'It's been...' is a simple and effective way to talk about something that has happened over a period of time. It's a key phrase for an intermediate learner.

Common Mistakes

❌ Just saying 'Hi.'

✅ Use a more engaging phrase like 'I'm glad we could finally meet up. It's been a while.'

Adding more information makes your speech sound more natural and friendly. It shows a higher level of fluency than just a simple 'hi.'

❌ Not knowing how to ask about someone's life.

✅ Know how to ask a question about a friend's life with a phrase like 'What have you been up to?'

This shows you are an engaged listener and makes the conversation more personal.

Notes for Learners

Be ready to talk about your day and what you've been doing.
Practice using phrases like 'I've been meaning to...' and 'That sounds like a plan.'
Listen for more specific questions and be prepared to give a detailed answer.
Remember to use more descriptive words like 'lifesaver' and 'perfect.'

ADVANCED

You:

Good morning. It's a pleasure to finally connect with you. I trust your day has been going well thus far?

Friend:

It's a pleasure indeed. Thank you for asking. I've been quite productive, but I'm looking forward to a moment of respite here in the park.

You:

I can certainly relate. The park offers an ideal backdrop for a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Friend:

It does. I must say, it's a testament to your excellent time management that you're so punctual.

You:

I try my best. So, what's been occupying your time lately? I saw your social media post about your new venture. It looks quite promising.

Friend:

Thank you for the kind words. It's been an all-consuming project, but I'm passionate about it. I'm excited to share some of the details with you.

You:

I'm all ears. Shall we find a bench to sit on and delve into it?

Friend:

That's a superb idea. I'll get us a couple of bottles of water from the nearby cafe.

You:

Perfect. You're a true gentleman. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Friend:

My pleasure. I'll be right back.

Vocabulary

respite

A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

I'm looking forward to a moment of respite here.
The rain brought a brief respite from the heat.
He worked for hours without a respite.

punctual

Arriving or doing something at the arranged or correct time; not late.

It's a testament to your excellent time management that you're so punctual.
She is always very punctual for meetings.
The trains are rarely punctual.

Grammar Tip: Using 'I trust...'

This phrase is a formal and very polite way to begin a question. It is more sophisticated and less demanding than 'Are you...?' It shows that you are aware the person may be busy but you are asking for help anyway.

Common Mistakes

❌ Using simple language like 'It's good to see you.'

✅ Use more descriptive and formal phrases like 'It's a pleasure to finally connect with you.'

Advanced English is about choosing the right tone and vocabulary. Using words like 'pleasure' and 'connect' shows a high level of fluency and a precise understanding of the situation.

❌ Ending the conversation abruptly.

✅ Use phrases like 'I'm all ears' or 'Shall we find a bench to sit on and delve into it?' to transition to the next part of the conversation.

These are common phrases in polite English that signal the end of a conversation without being rude. They show a high level of fluency.

Notes for Learners

Open the conversation with a formal phrase like 'I trust your day has been going well...'
Be ready to use and understand specific terms like 'respite,' 'punctual,' and 'hustle and bustle.'
Acknowledge the person's help with a phrase like 'That's a superb idea' and end the conversation professionally.
Remember that maintaining a calm and respectful demeanor is key, even when you are frustrated.