Communicative functions: Interacting with others

Using formulaic expressions

Introduction

When we interact with others, we often use formulaic expressions. These are expressions which are fixed and always used in the same way at the same point in an interaction. In other words, formulaic expressions are routines we go through at particular points in an interaction. For example, at the beginning of a spoken interaction when we greet someone, we choose from several formulaic expressions such as Hello, Good Morning or Hi.  We usually use formulaic expressions to do the following:

	Greet people and introduce ourselves: "Hi Ricky. It's Kitty."
	Start a conversation: "Know what?"
	Keep a conversation going: "Know what?" "What?"
	Keep track of information in a conversation: "Our pool's empty!" "Empty?"
	Agree, disagree, show approval or give encouragement: "Weird!" "Yeah it is."
	Offer thanks, good wishes, congratulations, concern and sympathy: "Thanks Kitty."
	Express and respond to apologies, regrets and excuses: "Sorry Ricky. I have to go."
	Close a conversation: "Bye" "Bye"

We also use idioms and figurative language in social interactions. Idioms and figurative language also tend to be fixed expressions.

For more information about formulaic expressions, see: 

Text types: Texts for social interaction: Overview: The language of social interaction

Teaching activities

For PrimeTeach teaching activities which provide KS2 students with practice in using formulaic expressions, see:    A spooky party An interview with a fireman