Functions

Questions

Possible responses

Greetings

How are you?

I’m fine, thank you.  How about you?

How’s it going? (How’s=How is)

It’s going good, thank you.  How about you?

How are you doing?

I’m doing fine, thank you.

How have you been?

I’ve been fine, thank you.

What’s up? (=What’s new?)

Not much. What’s up with you?

What have you been up to? (What have you done recently?)

Nothing much.

I’ve started a new project at work...

Has there been anything new lately?

Anything new?

Not really.  You?

Asking about someone’s work the first time

What do you do?

I’m a teacher.

I work as an office worker.

Where do you work?

I work in Sydney.

I work at the lumber yard.

Asking about someone’s work that you already know.

How’s work been going?

It’s been going good.

How’s your job been lately?

It’s been fine.

It’s been busy.

Have you been keeping busy lately?

Been busy lately?

Yes, always.

Yes, it’s been very busy.

Has there been anything new at work?

Anything new at work?

We’ve started a new project this week.

I’ve got a new boss.

Has there been anything interesting at work lately?

Anything interesting?

No, nothing.

Yes, something funny happened yesterday.  My co-worker had an accident….

Talking about the weather

What’s the weather like where you’re at?  (if talking by phone or Internet)

It’s sunny. / It’s cloudy.  / It’s windy. / It’s rainy, etc.

What kind of weather do you like?

I like cool weather. I like hot weather.  I like windy days.

Do you like the weather today?

How do you like the weather today?

Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.

It’s fine. / It’s too hot.

Do you think it will rain today?

Do you think it will rain soon?

Does it look like rain to you? (meaning--does it look like it will rain)

Yes, I think so. / No, I don’t think so.

Is it hot enough for you?

Hot enough for you?  (Something we say on a hot day)

Yes, it’s very hot.

Raining: Did you get caught in the rain? (Meaning--where you outside when it started raining)

Did you get caught in the rain yesterday/ last week?

Talking about the traffic /

Talking about the daily commute

How is the traffic today?

How was the traffic on your way in today?  (way in==drive to work)

It was okay.

Not too bad.

It was really bad.  

It was really backed up==traffic jam.

Were there any traffic jams on the road today?

No, there weren’t.

Yes, the traffic was really backed up near main street.

How long did it take you to get to work today?

1 hour

20 minutes

How do you get to work everyday?

I go by train/ by bus / by car/ by foot.

Asking about family with a friend or co-worker

How is your family?

How has your family been?

My family is good.

My family has been good.

Is everyone healthy?

Is everyone doing well?

Yes, thank you.

How’s the wife?

How’s the husband?

She’s good.

He’s doing fine.

How old are your kids now?

My oldest is starting high school.  My youngest is 5 years old.

How do your kids get to school?

Who takes your kids to school everyday?

They walk. / They ride the bus.

My wife drives them to school every morning.

Asking about family with someone you’ve just met for the first time

Are you married?

Yes, I am. /  No, I’m not

Do you have any children?

Any children?

How many children do you have?

Yes, I do. / No I don’t

I have 3.

Talking about sports (professional)

Do you like sports?

Yes, I do.

No, I don’t.

What sports do you like?

What kind of sports do you like?

I like basketball.

How often do you play sports?

Once a week, every day, twice a week,

What sports do you watch?

I like watching soccer.

Did you see the game last night?

Did you see the (soccer) game last night?

Yes, it was great, wasn’t it?

No, I missed it. How was it?

How about the Sydney Swans?

How about the (local sports team)?

I think they’re having a really great year.

They’re doing terrible.