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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > How are you? I ´m fine (bot not always...)
How are you? I ´m fine (bot not always...)
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iottip
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How are you? I ´m fine (bot not always...)
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I ´ve been told that the question "how are you?" is a sort of "standard" question. You ´re not supposed to answer explaining exactely the way you feel.
So, what ´s the question if the answer is "I ´m tired", "I ´m sad" "I ´m happy" etc.?
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21 Dec 2012
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Matthew@ELSP
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Hi
Perhaps you have mistaken "How are you" for "How do you do"?
"How do you do"?
This is mainly British English, and is quite formal. Perhaps you would hear this between business people meeting for the first time. The "correct" response to "How do you do"? is "How do you do"? according to some people.
"How are you", in my opinion, is always a question that asks about someone ´s health/condition/state. Therefor it is natural to say how you are - I am OK thanks. I am not so good, but thanks for asking, etc
I hope that helps.
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21 Dec 2012
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Peter Hardy
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Hi. The question "How are you" or "How are you doing" in Australia is the same as the British "How do you do." People are not asking for your state of health in any form. We do have a variety of answers, though. "I ´m fine" is the most used, but you can also reply with: Good. Great. Not to bad. I ´ve been better, or anything of the like. It ´s a matter of feeling. If you ´re asked by a stranger or colleague you definately don ´t go into details. But if it ´s a good friend or family member, you can start telling you ´re not ok. However, we ´ve had an advertising campaign to tell people it ´s ok not to be ok. Gives you an idea why most people stick to the standard answer of "Fine, thanks. You?" If people really want to know how you are, they may repeat the question, as in "How are you really?" or if they know you they ´ll ask more specific questions, like "How is your back?" Just remember, English is a language only. It ´s the person who speaks the lingo, that matters, and you ´ll notice if they are really interested in your physical or mental state. So the person who told you that the "How are you?" question is pretty much standard, is quite right. At least here in Australia, and as a Kiwi I can tell you it ´s the same in New Zealand. Hopes this helps. Cheers, Peter |
22 Dec 2012
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joy2bill
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I always find it funny that when you go to the doctor s/he will ask: "How are you? and you will reply: "Fine, thanks." The next question will then be the one concerning your reason for going to the doctor! A common reply to this question in Australia and NZ is "Not bad" meaning "Fine" or so-so! Cheers Joy |
22 Dec 2012
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cunliffe
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I ´m pleased to hear there are still those who greet with ´How do you do? � I haven ´t heard it for donkeys.
My standard answer to ´How are you? � has recently become, ´I ´m tired. � Thank god it ´s the Christmas holidays - two weeks off! I think Peter has got it right about the correct response. |
22 Dec 2012
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