It is very common to meet new people and introduce yourself (tell the person who you are). But how do you do it? You can just say 'Hi, I'm Simon', and in some situations (like meeting a friend of a friend) that is ok to say. But if you are meeting somebody new in other situations (like in a business meeting or meeting a new customer etc...), it isn't. In these situations, it is important that you use phrases in English which are more formal to introduce yourself than just 'Hi....'.

In addition to this, the type of phrases you use changes depending on if you are introducing yourself to a stranger (somebody you don't know) or if you are introducing yourself to somebody you have spoken to on the telephone or email before but never met.

And in addition to this, it is polite in the English-speaking world after introducing yourself to somebody to ask them questions (e.g. 'Terrible weather isn't it?', 'Who do work for?', 'Have you been here before?' etc...) to show that you are interested in the other person.

And you'll learn how to do all of this here.

In this first of two online exercises on introducing yourself in English, you'll learn and remember formal and polite English phrases that are used to both introduce yourself to other people and what to say when somebody introduces themself to you. In addition, you'll also learn phrases that you can use to continue the conversation after the introduction.

Although the vocabulary used here is focused on business and formal situations, it can also be used in less formal situations as well.

After doing this exercise, I recommend that you do the second part of this exercise where you'll learn English phrases for both finding and introducing yourself to people you are looking for.

To learn the English phrases used to end a conservation and say goodbye, do our exercise on 'How to say goodbye in English'.

Before you learn the phrases to introduce yourself in English, there is something else you need to know. Like in most countries, when you meet somebody for the first time in English-speaking countries, it is polite to shake hands with the person (with both men and women). But it is not common in the English-speaking world for people to kiss each other on the cheek in introductions.

In the following two situations, people are introducing themselves to each other. In situation 1, it is two strangers at a conference. In situation 2, an employee is introducing himself to a new employee in an office.

From the context, try to guess what the meaning of the words/phrases in bold are. Then do the quiz at the end to check if you are right.

Gary:'It's a very good conference this year.'

Lisa:'Yes, I'm really enjoying it. I think it's better than last year's one. Did you come last year?'

Gary:'No, I didn't. But I came the year before and that was good, but not as good as this year's.'

Lisa:'It was good last year, but the speakers here this year are a lot better.'

Gary:'Allow me to introduce myself. My name's Gary Smith.'

Lisa:'Pleased to meet you Gary. My name's Lisa Rodgers.'

(Handshake)

Gary:'Pleased to meet you too. How long are you at the conference for?'

Lisa:'I'm here for the full 5 days. And you?'

Gary:'I'm only here for 3 days. I'm leaving the day after tomorrow.'

Lisa:'What do you do?'

Gary:'I'm a sales manager at Timebox plc. And yourself?'

Lisa:'I'm the director of marketing for an internet company called travelquick.com.'

Chris:'I don't think we've been introduced. My name's Chris.'

Keith:'Nice to meet you Chris. My name's Keith.'

(Handshake)

Chris:'Hello Keith, nice to meet you too. How is your first day going?'

Keith:'It's going very well. There is a lot to learn, but this job seems similar to my last job. The people here seem very friendly. Do you work in the sales department?'

Chris:'Yes, I do.'

Below is a definition/description of each of the words in bold from the above text. Now choose the word/phrase from the question's selection box which you believe answers each question. Only use one word/phrase once. Click on the "Check Answers" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.

When the answer is correct, two icons will appear next to the question. The first is an Additional Information Icon "". Click on this for extra information on the word/phrase and for a translation. The second is a Pronunciation Icon "". Click on this to listen to the pronunciation of the word/phrase.

Now that you understand the new vocabulary, practise it by creating your own sentences with the new words/phrases.

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