Lesson

Initiating and closing conversation

Start and end conversations smoothly

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Initiating and closing conversation

These expressions help you begin and end conversations smoothly in professional and social contexts. Knowing the right phrases and tone ensures clarity and politeness.

  • Initiating: how to get attention, ask permission to speak, and open a topic politely.
  • Closing: how to finish a conversation, confirm next steps, and say goodbye appropriately.
  • Choose formal or informal phrases depending on the situation and your relationship with the listener.

Table

Common Phrases for Starting and Ending Conversations

Phrase Use Formality Example
Good morning. Do you have a moment? Start a brief professional interaction Formal Good morning. Do you have a moment to discuss the Q3 figures?
Hi, can I grab you for a second? Informal start, quick interruption Informal Hi, can I grab you for a second about the client call?
May I interrupt briefly? Polite interruption during a meeting Formal May I interrupt briefly with an update?
It was great speaking with you. Polite closing after a conversation Neutral/Formal It was great speaking with you — I'll send the report by Friday.
I'll follow up by email. Confirm next steps and close Neutral/Formal I'll follow up by email with the slides and action items.
Let's schedule a follow-up meeting. Arrange next contact before ending Formal Let's schedule a follow-up meeting for next Tuesday.
Thanks for your time. Goodbye. Short professional closing Formal Thanks for your time. Goodbye.
Talk soon! Informal goodbye between colleagues Informal Talk soon! I'll ping you after the meeting.

Tip

Key rule: match phrase to situation and purpose

Choose initiation and closing phrases based on formality, time available, and intended next steps.

  • If formal: use 'Good morning', 'Do you have a moment?', 'May I interrupt?'.
  • If informal: use 'Hi', 'Can I grab you for a second?', 'Talk soon!'.
  • Always state the purpose briefly when initiating and confirm the next step when closing (e.g., follow-up, email, meeting).

Politeness + clarity = effective starts and endings

Example

Examples in context

Good morning. Do you have a moment to review the budget?

May I interrupt briefly? I have an important update.

It was great speaking with you. I'll send the proposal later today.

Thanks for your time — talk soon!

Tip

Common mistakes when starting or ending conversations

Avoid these universal errors to keep interactions professional and clear.

  • Using an abrupt ending without confirming next steps or saying goodbye.
  • Choosing a phrase that is too informal for the situation (tone mismatch).
  • Failing to state the purpose when initiating, which wastes time.
  • Overloading the opening with too much detail before getting permission to speak.

Be aware of timing, tone, and clarity.

Quiz

Choose the most professional way to start a brief conversation about a report with a colleague in the office:

Hint: Think about a polite way to ask for someone's time.

Quiz

Complete: _____, I'll follow up by email.

Hint: Think of a short phrase meaning 'prior to leaving' that starts a closing statement.

Quiz

Which phrase best closes a professional phone call when you will send more information later?

Hint: Focus on clarity about next steps and timing.

Key Points

Expression

Do you have a moment?

expression CEFR B1 //duː juː hæv ə ˈmoʊmənt//

A polite way to ask if someone has time to talk.

Do you have a moment to review the contract?

Expression

May I interrupt?

expression CEFR B2 //meɪ aɪ ˌɪntəˈrʌpt//

A polite phrase used before speaking while someone else is talking.

May I interrupt? I have an important update on the project.

Expression

Before I go

expression CEFR B1 //bɪˈfɔːr aɪ ɡoʊ//

A transitional phrase used to introduce final remarks before leaving.

Before I go, I'll send the agenda to everyone.

Expression

I'll follow up by email

expression CEFR B1 //aɪl ˈfɑːloʊ ʌp baɪ iːˈmeɪl//

A phrase to indicate you will send additional information later via email.

I'll follow up by email with the revised document.

Expression

It was a pleasure speaking with you

expression CEFR B2 //ɪt wəz ə ˈplɛʒər ˈspiːkɪŋ wɪð juː//

A polite closing phrase expressing enjoyment of the conversation.

It was a pleasure speaking with you; I'll be in touch soon.

Expression

Let's schedule a follow-up meeting

expression CEFR B2 //lɛts ˈskɛdʒuːl ə ˈfɑːloʊ ʌp ˈmiːtɪŋ//

A phrase used to arrange a subsequent meeting before ending the current discussion.

Let's schedule a follow-up meeting to review progress next month.