Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

I looked up the word "pleasantry" in a dictionary.

I found the following.
----->a courteous social remark used to initiate or facilitate a conversation: to (1)exchange pleasantries.

Does (1) include all of them? Or Do I have a mistaken idea about the phrase (1)?
(a) It is fine today.
(b) You are healthy.
(c) I am going to go to your house in the near future.
(d) Your children look great.
(e) Your wife is young.
(f) This video game is exciting. How about playing this?

Thank you in advance.

[pugachevV]

Pleasantries are such things as
Good Morning.
How are you?
(It's a) lovely Day isn't it?
They are inconsequential remarks used to lead into a conversation with someone.
You wouldn't use,
You are healthy,
Your wife looks young,
I'm going to your house in the near future...and so on.

You can say all those things after you've initiated the conversation, but you wouldn't start off with them.

[learner12]

Dear pugachevV:

Thank you all the time for your help.

I really appreciate it.

Take care!!