
Although this is generally discouraged when you’re meeting people for the first time, you’re good to use such greetings at gatherings such as concerts, parties, and sports games.įinally, informal greetings can be used in your writing to imply that two characters have an informal relationship. People use informal greetings when acknowledging someone in passing (saying Hey to the person sitting next to them). Greeting your sibling or childhood best friend with Wassup or Hey you is fine, but it’s not fine when meeting your partner’s parents for the first time (though you might in the future if you develop that type of relationship with them). Informal greetings are used when interacting with people you’re familiar with. Inside jokes and nicknames are another type of greeting phrase, though they’re only used by a small group of people.

If a person uses Babe to greet someone, there’s a good chance they’re greeting their partner. They can also be used to invoke a relationship or bond. For example, people in Alabama are more likely to use Howdy when meeting someone than a person in California. Greeting phrases can differ across regions, states, and countries that speak the same language. The exact greeting word or phrase that you use often depends on who you’re talking to or where you are.įor example, Yo! can be appropriate if you’re greeting a close friend, but you wouldn’t use it on a serious occasion or with someone who’s interviewing you for a job.

They can be used when talking to someone in person or when introducing yourself in an email. Greeting words and phrases are what they sound like-terms and expressions used to greet someone and make them feel welcomed and comfortable. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly What is a greeting word or phrase?
