How to end conversations in English (without being rude)

In the last two lessons, you learned how to start a conversation and how to continue a conversation in English. If you didn't see those lessons, make sure to go back and watch them or review them. Now it's time to learn how to bring conversations to an end in both more formal and more informal situations. But first, I want to invite you to join my everyday English speaking courses if you're serious about improving your speaking. These courses include lessons teaching you common phrases that native English speakers use. And they also have homework in the form of speaking tasks. You can actually record yourself talking and send it in for evaluation by our teaching team. This is a really great way to get direct feedback on your spoken English and find out what you're doing well and what needs improvement. Click on the link under this video to join everyday English speaking. Alright, when it comes to ending a conversation in English, there are just two tips I want you to remember. One is to smile. Be friendly when ending the conversation so the other person knows you enjoyed the conversation and doesn't think you're ending the conversation because you're annoyed or you don't like them. The second key is to make a positive comment and then say you need to go or give a reason for ending the conversation. So let's see this in practice, first with an informal conversation. Hey, it was nice talking to you, but I've got to run. Okay, no problem. Have a good one. I've got to run is an informal expression to say I need to go. Conversation two. Well, I'd love to keep chatting, but I have to head out. My yoga class starts in an hour. Oh, enjoy your class. Thanks. See you later. Head out means leave or go. Thanks for the book recommendations. I'll definitely have to check them out. Anyway, I actually need to go pick up my kids from school. Alright, take care. Notice how all three conversations use a transitional word like hey, well, or anyway to introduce the end of the conversation. To give you a reason for leaving, you can say I have to, I need to, or I've gotta. These express obligation, so they introduce the next thing you need to do and the reason why you're ending the conversation. I need to go to yoga class, I've got to pick up my kids from school, or simply I've gotta run, meaning you need to go somewhere else. Now let's look at ending a more formal conversation like at work. Okay, so I'll call the distributors while you prepare the contract and we'll touch base next week. Sounds like a plan. Great. Have a good afternoon. Thanks. You too. Bye. Bye. You can end a conversation at work by giving a summary of the conversation or the next actions to take. This gives the other person a signal that you would like to bring the conversation to an end. Anyway, I should get back to work. Yeah, me too. See you later. I should get back to work is a good way to end a conversation with a co-worker that is not related to work. For example, if you are chatting with your colleague about weekend plans or other interests. And then you want to wrap up the conversation, finish it up, and so you say, anyway, I should get back to work. Well, I know you're busy, so I don't want to keep you. That's okay. Nice talking to you. I don't want to keep you is a way to say that you respect the other person's time, so you won't continue the conversation for hours and hours. This also signals that the conversation is coming to an end. It is often used during phone calls. Here are a few more phrases that show you enjoyed the conversation, but now you're bringing it to an end. Catch up with you in this context means to find out each other's news and updates. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. That one's a little more formal. Say this to a busy or important person to express gratitude for spending their time talking with you. And finally, let's review some different ways to say goodbye in English. Some can be used in both formal and informal situations, like bye, bye-bye, see you soon, see you later, take care, have a good one, have a nice day. And some goodbyes are only used in more informal situations, like see ya, take it easy, catch you later, or just later, I'm off, or I'm out, for when you're leaving. I hope you enjoyed this video, and I hope to see you inside my Everyday English Speaking courses. I say courses because there are actually two courses, Level 1, which focuses more on practical daily situations, and Level 2, which has more advanced conversations and expressions. Anyway, it was nice talking to you. I'll catch you later.