These verbs can describe two stages of the same workplace event, but they do not make the same claim.
"Approach" means moving toward someone or contacting them, either in person or through a message. It may lead to a conversation, but the verb does not say that it did. "Strike up" means starting a talk, friendship, or similar connection. This guide focuses on conversation.
The weaker claim vs. the stronger one
Approach makes the narrower claim because it reports movement or attempted contact, not the result. The other person may welcome you, be busy, or decline to engage. Strike up a conversation says the talk began, but it does not say the exchange went well or lasted long.
Use approach if someone contacted a coworker but received no reply. Use strike up a conversation only when the available facts show that they started talking.
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"He approached the panelist after the talk, but she was busy and he did not interrupt" — he moved toward her, but no talk began.
"She approached the new hire's desk and struck up a conversation about the onboarding checklist" — she went to the desk, then they began to talk.
"I approached three people at the mixer before I struck up a conversation with the fourth" — the first three contacts did not become talks. The fourth did.
Practice scenarios
Practice choosing approach or strike up when you are:
- saying that someone made contact, while the result is not known
- telling a story about failed contact, then a talk that began
- naming both steps in one event: the approach and the new talk
Useful practice phrases:
- "I approached [someone], but..."
- "I struck up a conversation with... after approaching them."
- "I approached [several people] before I struck up a conversation with..."
Approach reports contact or an attempt to make it. Strike up a conversation reports the outcome that people began to talk.
This word choice keeps the outcome clear and avoids claiming that a person agreed to talk when they did not.
Lyra Practice helps advanced non-native English professionals learn the nuance of high-value workplace expressions and practice using them in realistic scenarios, so their English sounds natural, precise, and senior at work. Try Lyra Practice.