Social Situations — B1 Essential Words

polite /pəˈlaɪt/ adjective B1 Social Situations

Meaning: Behaving in a pleasant, respectful way toward others; showing good manners.

Example: It's polite to say thank you.

Another example: The waiter was polite and patient.

Collocations: polite to · polite request · it's polite to

Synonyms: courteous, respectful, well-mannered

Antonyms: rude, impolite

Word family: politely (adv) · politeness (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Polite is about MANNERS in action. Its opposite rude is strong — calling someone rude is itself impolite.

🗣 In spoken American English: Magic words run the country: please, thanks, excuse me — politeness in three words.

Register: Neutral — social essential.

rude /ruːd/ adjective B1 Social Situations

Meaning: Not polite; behaving in a way that offends or disrespects others.

Example: It's rude to interrupt people.

Another example: The rude comment hurt her feelings.

Collocations: rude to · rude comment · it's rude to

Synonyms: impolite, disrespectful, offensive

Antonyms: polite, courteous

Word family: rudely (adv) · rudeness (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Rude is a strong judgment — describe ACTIONS ('that was rude') more safely than people.

🗣 In spoken American English: Phones created new rude: checking your screen mid-conversation has a name — 'phubbing'.

Register: Neutral — social judgment.

introduce /ˌɪntrəˈdjuːs/ verb B1 Social Situations

Meaning: To tell people each other's names when they meet for the first time; also to present something new.

Example: Let me introduce you to my friend Emma.

Another example: The company will introduce a new app in May.

Collocations: introduce you to · introduce myself · introduce a product

Synonyms: present, meet (in phrases)

Word family: introduction (n) · introductory (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Introduce A TO B: introduce you to Emma. Reflexive: introduce myself. Never 'introduce with'.

🗣 In spoken American English: The social formula: 'Have you two met? Anna, this is Jack.'

Register: Neutral — meetings essential.

greet /ɡriːt/ verb B1 Social Situations

Meaning: To welcome someone or say hello when you meet them.

Example: She greeted us with a warm smile.

Another example: The hotel staff greet every guest.

Collocations: greet with · greet guests · greet warmly

Synonyms: welcome, say hello, receive

Antonyms: ignore, avoid

Word family: greeting (n) · greetings (n pl)

⚠ Common mistake: Greeting is the noun for hello-words: birthday greetings, holiday greetings. Greet is the verb in action.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Greeted by name' is the five-star hotel trick everyone remembers.

Register: Neutral to formal — hospitality staple.

apologize /əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/ verb B1 Social Situations

Meaning: To say you are sorry for something you did wrong.

Example: He apologized for being late.

Another example: I apologize for the mistake in your bill.

Collocations: apologize for · apologize to · sincerely apologize

Synonyms: say sorry, express regret

Word family: apology (n) · apologetic (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: American spelling: apologize with z. Pattern: apologize TO someone FOR something.

🗣 In spoken American English: Customer service runs on it: a fast, real apology saves more customers than discounts.

Register: Neutral — social essential.

conversation /ˌkɒnvərˈseɪʃən/ noun B1 Social Situations

Meaning: A talk between two or more people where they exchange ideas and news.

Example: We had a long conversation about travel.

Another example: Her English conversation skills improved fast.

Collocations: have a conversation · conversation with · in conversation

Synonyms: talk, chat, discussion

Word family: conversations (n pl) · conversational (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: You HAVE a conversation (never 'make'). Small talk is the light, friendly kind at parties.

🗣 In spoken American English: The #1 learner goal everywhere: 'hold a conversation' — this word is the trophy.

Register: Neutral — social core.

stranger /ˈstreɪndʒər/ noun B1 Social Situations

Meaning: A person you do not know.

Example: Don't open the door to strangers.

Another example: A kind stranger helped me find the station.

Collocations: a complete stranger · stranger danger · talk to strangers

Synonyms: unknown person, newcomer

Antonyms: friend, neighbor

Word family: strangers (n pl) · strange (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Stranger (unknown person) vs strange (weird) — same root, different jobs. Kids learn 'stranger danger' early.

🗣 In spoken American English: Cities teach caution; small towns teach waving at everyone.

Register: Neutral — safety and social.

guest /ɡest/ noun B1 Social Situations

Meaning: A person invited to visit or stay at someone's home, or to attend an event; a hotel customer.

Example: We had guests for dinner on Saturday.

Another example: The hotel welcomes guests from around the world.

Collocations: house guest · guest list · welcome guests

Synonyms: visitor, invite

Antonyms: host

Word family: guests (n pl)

⚠ Common mistake: Guest vs host is the pair: the host invites, the guest arrives. Hotels call customers guests on purpose — it feels warmer.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Be my guest' means 'go ahead, help yourself' — an idiom hiding in plain sight.

Register: Neutral — hospitality essential.

manners /ˈmænərz/ noun B1 Social Situations

Meaning: Polite ways of behaving toward others, especially at meals and in public.

Example: Teach children good manners at the table.

Another example: His manners impressed her parents.

Collocations: good manners · table manners · bad manners

Synonyms: etiquette, politeness, courtesy

Antonyms: rudeness

Word family: manner (n — way of doing)

⚠ Common mistake: Manners is almost always plural for behavior. 'Manner' (singular) means a WAY of doing something — different word in use.

🗣 In spoken American English: Grandmothers guard them everywhere: elbows off the table!

Register: Neutral — social upbringing.

interrupt /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/ verb B1 Social Situations

Meaning: To stop someone while they are speaking or doing something, by speaking yourself or making a noise.

Example: Sorry to interrupt, but the meeting moved to 3 p.m.

Another example: Don't interrupt your teacher.

Collocations: interrupt someone · sorry to interrupt · interrupt the meeting

Synonyms: cut in, break in, disturb

Word family: interruption (n)

⚠ Common mistake: 'Sorry to interrupt' is the polite door-knock of conversation. Interruptions can be rude — or rescue missions.

🗣 In spoken American English: Meetings have a rule for it: one speaker at a time, hands up for questions.

Register: Neutral — conversation management.