Conversation Lesson 4: Good-byes

Michael: Well, it’s getting late. I must be going. Patrick: Oh, so soon? It’s not that late. Michael: I don’t want to overstay my welcome. Besides, it’s almost 11:00 and I do have to go to work tomorrow. Thank you for inviting me to the party. Patrick: Thanks for coming. Michael: I really had a nice time. (I really had a lovely evening.) Patrick: Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Michael: I really did. Good night and thanks again. Patrick: Good night.

Culture Note To end a conversation English speakers usually use preclosings before using closings. Preclosings are phrases that signal the end of a conversation. Closings are phrases that end the conversation. If one person quits talking suddenly, says goodbye, and leaves, the other person may feel cut off abruptly. In formal situations the superior (in age, status) usually precloses. In informal situations either person may preclose.

Preclosings often include thanking a person for something or giving a reason why you must leave. Well, thank you for your advice. Maybe we can talk again sometime. Sure. Well, I’d better go now. I have to study. OK. See you later. Take it easy.

How to close a conversation using preclosings Thank you for your time. I’m afraid I have to leave now. It’s getting late. I really must go. I’ll let you go. It’s late. I should be going. I have to run. Sorry, I got to go. (Note: incorrect grammar)

Closings: ways of saying good-bye Good night. Good-bye. Bye. Bye-bye. See you later. Take care. So long. Take it easy. Catch you later. Later.

When leaving permanently or for a long time Take care (of yourself). Keep in touch. Call/Write me. Send me an . I’ll miss you. So long.

Practice Saying Good-bye Work in pairs. Read each of the following situations and practice saying goodbye.

Good-byes - Situation 1 You and your classmate at a university. After dinner, you meet one of your classmates outside the cafeteria. You are heading to the library and he/she is going elsewhere. You walk together and make small talk until you get to the library, and say good-bye to each other.

Good-byes - Situation 2 You and your classmate at a college. Both you and your classmate have studied at the same college for almost one year and have become very close friends. At the end of the school year, both of you are getting ready to go home for the summer vacation. You have been talking with him/her for a while because you won’t see each other again until September. Your classmate needs to catch the train so you have to end your conversation.

Good-byes - Situation 3 You and your close friend at the airport. Your are lucky to have passed the TOEFL and GRE and are going to the U.S. to study. You have been with your close friend for a while at the airport because you are not sure when you will come back home. Now it’s time for you to board the plane so you and your close friend say good-bye to each other.

Good-byes - Situation 4 You and your colleague. You and your colleague have a close relationship and often have fun together. When you run into each other while shopping you talk for a while. Your colleague realizes that he/she is a bit late for his/her dental appointment so you end the conversation.