The use of the common farewell phrases like 'good evening' and 'good night' often causes a lot of confusion and argument among the people whose first language is not English. Let me try to throw some light on this issue.
Being a full-time language trainer, I am greeted by a number of students each passing day at different times. The greeting phrases they use when they meet me in the morning, afternoon and evening are, of course, nice to listen and grammatically correct too.
But when it comes to taking leave in the evening, their courtesy turns un-English. Many students in India (adults too) use 'good evening' when they take leave in the evening! But according to correct English, they must say 'good night'.
So, when you leave your friend, teacher, boss or whoever next time in the evening, remember to wish them a 'good night'. It does not matter the sun is still up on the horizon.
Happy learning,
Jacob (Nova English Campus)
Being a full-time language trainer, I am greeted by a number of students each passing day at different times. The greeting phrases they use when they meet me in the morning, afternoon and evening are, of course, nice to listen and grammatically correct too.
But when it comes to taking leave in the evening, their courtesy turns un-English. Many students in India (adults too) use 'good evening' when they take leave in the evening! But according to correct English, they must say 'good night'.
So, when you leave your friend, teacher, boss or whoever next time in the evening, remember to wish them a 'good night'. It does not matter the sun is still up on the horizon.
Happy learning,
Jacob (Nova English Campus)
5 comments:
Good Evening Sir! Nice job.... Love u;
well said:) thnxxxx
good night sir
Dear Jacob Ji,
Nice attempt. Keep up the great job.
Regards,
Pooja Vohra
thank u sir.. tnx for lesson
Post a Comment