00:00
Support comes from WISE, the smart way to sendmoney around the world.
Your life is global. Your money should be too.Some providers promise no fees on overseas
transfers, but extra costs often hide in bloatedexchange rates. Choose WISE.
You can send money overseas for education or spendin over 40 currencies while traveling.
Get the exchange rate that you'd usually see onGoogle. Plus, count on 24-7 customer support.
Be smart. Get WISE. Visit WISE.com. T's and C'sapply.
We have been saying goodbye for 5 minutes. I amtrying to end the conversation naturally.
You have said, well, three times, but you arestill here.
I do not want to sound rude. Then you need an exitexpression,
not another well. Can English really make leavingeasier?
Yes. Today we are learning 4 natural ways to closea conversation
warmly and clearly. Good. Because I should leavebefore the
introduction becomes the whole episode. Welcome toyour English Toolbox. I am Martin.
And I am Julia. This is episode 7 of EverydayUseful Expressions,
our series of ready-made English for realsituations.
Today we are learning how to end a conversationwithout disappearing suddenly or continuing
forever. Our first expression is,
I should let you go. I should let you go.
Use this when you want to end the conversationwhile showing consideration for the other
person's time. For example,
I know you have an early meeting, so I should letyou go.
Or, it has been lovely talking, but I should letyou go.
The expression sounds as if you are releasing theother person,
but it is really a polite signal that theconversation is ending.
A common reply is, yes, I should get going. It isespecially natural near the end of a
friendly phone call. Our second expression is,
I'd better get going. I'd better get going.
This focuses on your own need to leave or stoptalking.
For example, I'd better get going. My train leavesin 20 minutes.
The full form is, I had better get going. But thecontraction I'd better is very common
in speech. Does it sound urgent?
Not necessarily. It creates a clear, friendlytransition towards leaving.
It is more natural than suddenly saying, I'd gonow.
Much more natural. Our third expression is,
Let's catch up soon. Let's catch up soon.
To catch up means to talk and share news aftersome time apart.
03:04
We often use this expression near the end of aconversation to show that we want to
stay connected. For example,
I'd better get going, but let's catch up soon.
Or, it was great seeing you. Let's catch up againnext week.
Be careful with the meaning of soon. Yes. Let'scatch up soon can be a warm,
general intention, not a fixed appointment. If youtruly want to arrange something,
add a concrete next step. For example, let's catchup soon.
Are you free next Tuesday? Our fourth expressionis,
It was good talking to you. It was good talking toyou.
This is a warm closing line after a useful orenjoyable conversation.
For example, It was good talking to you.
Give my regards to your family. A natural replyis, you too.
Or, it was good talking to you too. Why do we usewas if we are still speaking?
Because we are treating the conversation as almostcomplete.
The past form signals that we are closing it.
That is a small piece of grammar doing animportant social job.
Exactly. Together, the expressions can open theexit,
give a reason to leave, point towards futurecontact, and close warmly.
You do not need all four every time. Usually oneor two are enough.
Time for a quick challenge. Choose the mostnatural expression
before we answer. Situation 1.
Your friend has an early meeting and you want torespect their time.
I should let you go. Situation 2.
You need to leave because your bus arrives soon.
I'd better get going. Situation 3.
You want to suggest another friendly conversationin the future.
Let's catch up soon. Situation 4.
You want a warm final sentence after a long phonecall.
It was good talking to you. Now practice acomplete ending aloud.
Your friend says, I have to prepare dinner now.
You could say, of course. I should let you go.
It was good talking to you. That sounds warm,clear, and complete.
On the episode page at YourEnglishToolbox.com, youwill find five additional expressions for
ending conversations naturally. Each one includesits meaning,
06:04
tone, two examples, and active practice. Thedirect link is in the episode description.
Martin, I think I am ready to end our conversationnow.
Go ahead. I'd better get going.
Very natural. Let's catch up soon.
We record together every week. Then I can be morespecific.
Let's catch up on Tuesday at 10. Perfect.
It was good talking to you. You too.
See you next time, friends. Goodbye.
