Posts tagged casual conversations
English Conversation Lesson: Casual Greetings with “How” & What”
Apr 29th
Basic Greetings in English
An English conversation a conversation usually starts with a question. There are two kinds of questions we use – how and what. Here are some examples of each:
- How are you? What’s new?
- How’s it going? What’s up?
- How’s life? What’s going on?
- How’s everything? What’s shaking?
The how questions ask about our feeling or condition, so the answers are something like this. The closer you are with the person, the deeper the answer you expect to hear / give:
- How are you? → Not too bad
- How’s it going? → Pretty good
- How’s life? → Great!
- How’s everything? → I’m ok.
The what questions ask about news or information about us, so the answers are something like this:
- What’s new? → Not much
- What’s up? → I just finished work
- What’s going on? → I’m going on vacation next week
- What’s shaking? → I bought an iPad!
Please be careful not to confuse the type of questions someone asks:
- Joe: What’s up?
- Bob: Fine! ← (the wrong answer, so Joe is confused!)
- Joe: ???
If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.
Thanks for studying today!
English Lesson: Believe So, Hope So, & Think So
Nov 19th
Sumo wrestlers? I think so!
We use so with believe, hope, and think in conversations as a response to yes or no questions. So is used to replace a phrase starting with that:
- Jim: Is Tony coming to the party?
- Jack: I believe so. I believe that Tony is coming to the party.
Here are some other examples:
- Jim: Did Bob order the pizza for lunch?
- Jack: I hope so. I didn’t have breakfast, so I’m really hungry.
- Bill: Does this train go to Times Square?
- Jenny: I think so, but to be sure, please ask the conductor over there.
In a negative sentence, we can use don’t believe so, don’t think so, and hope not. We don’t use don’t hope so.
- Jim: Is Tony coming to the party?
- Jack: I don’t believe so. He usually works on Saturdays.
- Bill: Does this train go to Times Square?
- Jenny: I don’t think so, but to be sure, please ask the conductor over there.
- Jim: Did Bob order the pizza from Dominica’s Pizza?
- Jack: I hope not. Their pizza is too greasy. I hope he called Lombardi’s.
Have you used so in conversation like this? Leave a comment below and let me know!
If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.
Thanks for studying today!
English Lesson: Asking Opinions With What & How
Sep 21st
She wants to know your opinion.
You can use what and how to ask someone’s opinion, but the way we use these words is different.
We generally ask What do you think? or How do you feel?
You can use What do you think about + [person or thing]? when you want to ask someone’s opinion about a person or a thing.
- A: What do you think about this website?
- B: I think it’s an amazing website!
- A: What do you think about the new boss?
- B: He seems pretty smart, but a little strict.
You can also use How do you feel about + [thing]? when you want to ask someone’s opinion about a thing.
- A: How do you feel about this website?
- B: I think it’s an amazing website!
You can also use How do you feel about + [person]? when you want to ask someone’s feelings or emotions for another person. Let’s compare both:
- A: How do you feel about Jane?
- B: I really like her…I think I want to ask her for a date.
- A: What do you think about Jane?
- B: I think she’s a nice person, and pretty smart.
*Be careful! We generally do not ask, “How do you think about ~ ,” so try to remember these patterns: What do you think & How do you feel.
So, then what do you think about this website? Feel free to leave a comment!
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