Explanation + Activities
Other Ways to Say “How Are You?”
When you meet someone, there are many ways to ask how they are doing. Here are a few common ones:
- “How are you doing?”
- Meaning: This is another way to ask, “How are you?” It’s slightly more casual.
- Best answers:
- “I’m doing great, thanks! How about you?”
- “I’ve been good, staying busy.”
- “I’m okay, a little tired but good overall.”
- “How is it going?”
- Meaning: This is a casual way to ask, “How are things with you?”
- Best answers:
- “It’s going well, thanks! How about you?”
- “Pretty good, just taking it easy.”
- “Not bad, how’s it going with you?”
How to Answer Naturally
When someone asks you “How are you doing?” or “How is it going?” you don’t have to say “I’m fine, thank you.” Instead, you can give a more natural answer, depending on how you really feel. Here are some ideas:
- If you feel good:
- “I’m great, thanks!”
- “I’m doing really well!”
- “It’s going good!”
- If you feel okay but not perfect:
- “I’m okay, just a bit tired.”
- “Not bad, just trying to get through the day.”
- “I’m alright, could be better!”
- If you want to keep it simple:
- “I’m good!”
- “Doing well!”
- “Everything’s fine!”
- If things are busy or stressful:
- “I’ve been really busy, but I’m managing.”
- “It’s been a little hectic, but I’m doing okay.”
These responses are friendly, natural, and they help keep the conversation going!
Practice Activity: Answer the Questions
Instructions: Read the questions and write your own response, as if you’re talking to a friend.
- “How are you doing?”
Your answer: ________________ - “How is it going?”
Your answer: ________________
By practicing, you can get comfortable giving more natural answers to these everyday questions.
More Activities to Practice
Activity 1: Match the Question to the Answer
Instructions: Match each question with the correct answer.
Questions:
- How are you doing?
- How is it going?
- How’s everything?
- How are things?
- How’s life?
Answers: A) “Pretty good, just busy with work.”
B) “Everything’s going well, thanks!”
C) “I’m doing great, how about you?”
D) “Not bad, just taking it easy.”
E) “Life’s been good, thanks!”
Answer Key:
- C) “I’m doing great, how about you?”
- D) “Not bad, just taking it easy.”
- B) “Everything’s going well, thanks!”
- A) “Pretty good, just busy with work.”
- E) “Life’s been good, thanks!”
Activity 2: Fill in the Blank
Instructions: Fill in the blank with how you would respond to each question.
- “How are you doing?”
“__________, thanks!” - “How is it going?”
“__________, how about you?” - “How’s everything?”
“It’s going __________.” - “How are things?”
“Things are __________.” - “How’s life?”
“__________, thanks for asking!”
Sample Answers
- “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing great, thanks!” - “How is it going?”
“It’s going well, how about you?” - “How’s everything?”
“It’s going pretty good.” - “How are things?”
“Things are fine, thanks!” - “How’s life?”
“Life’s been good, thanks for asking!”
Activity 3: Write Your Own Responses
Instructions: Read the question and write a short, natural response.
- “How are you doing?”
Your answer: ___________________ - “How is it going?”
Your answer: ___________________ - “How’s everything?”
Your answer: ___________________ - “How are things?”
Your answer: ___________________ - “How’s life?”
Your answer: ___________________
Sample Answers
- “How are you doing?”
Your answer: “I’m doing well, just staying busy.” - “How is it going?”
Your answer: “Pretty good, just relaxing today.” - “How’s everything?”
Your answer: “Everything’s fine, no complaints.” - “How are things?”
Your answer: “Things are good, just taking it easy.” - “How’s life?”
Your answer: “Life’s treating me well, thanks!”
Activity 4: Role Play by Yourself
Instructions:
- Pretend someone is asking you these questions.
- Respond out loud, giving a short, natural answer.
Example:
- You: “How’s it going?”
- You (answering): “Pretty good, just relaxing.”
Repeat this with the other questions until you feel confident!
Activity 5: Mix and Match
Instructions: For each question, write two different responses—one simple and one more detailed.
- “How are you doing?”
- Simple answer: “___________________”
- Detailed answer: “___________________”
- “How is it going?”
- Simple answer: “___________________”
- Detailed answer: “___________________”
- “How’s everything?”
- Simple answer: “___________________”
- Detailed answer: “___________________”
Sample Answers
- “How are you doing?”
- Simple answer: “I’m good!”
- Detailed answer: “I’m doing well, just getting a lot done this week.”
- “How is it going?”
- Simple answer: “It’s going fine.”
- Detailed answer: “It’s going well, I’ve been really productive.”
- “How’s everything?”
- Simple answer: “Everything’s alright!”
- Detailed answer: “Everything’s going smoothly, just keeping up with work.”
By mixing different responses, you’ll learn how to keep conversations fresh and natural!