Hi everyone! In today’s blog, we’re going to explore 21 real-life native English questions that you can use daily. What do I mean by “real-life”? The questions in today’s lesson are common in day-to-day, informal conversations.
The following list includes definitions and examples to help you gain a thorough understanding of their usage. These questions are commonly used by native English speakers but might not be something you’d typically find in an English course book or exam. By the end of this blog, you’ll receive a nice boost to your everyday conversational English. Let’s get started.
1) Where are you headed?
definition: Where are you going?
examples
A: Where are you headed?
B: I’m going home. / I’m heading home.
A: Where are you headed after New York?
B: We are slowly making our way south to Florida.
Some people say “Where are you heading?” They use the “ing” form. Same thing.
Sometimes native speakers remove the “be” form when speaking quickly.
- Where
areyou headed? - Where
arewe headed? - Where
isshe headed?
2) What brings you to + city / country?
definition: Why are you here in this city / this country?
examples
A: What brings you to the US?
B: I’m an exchange student. I’ll be studying here for six months.
A: What brings you to South Korea?
B: I’m just visiting.
3) How do you take your tea/coffee?
definition: Would you like milk or sugar in your coffee?
examples
A: How do you take your coffee?
B: Black, please.
A: How do you take your tea, Phil?
B: White with sugar please.
Questions #4 and #5 are variations of the classic “How are you”?
4) How is it going?
definition: How are you?
When speaking quickly, people say: How’s it goin’?
examples
A: Hey Ann, how’s it goin’?
B: Great. What about you?
A: Wonderful. I’ll catch you later.
A: How’s it goin’?
B: I don’t feel like talking about anything right now.
5) How are you doing?
definition: How are you?
When speaking quickly, people say: How you doin’?
example
A: How you doin’ Stef?
B: Yeah, good. Can you help me with something?
You may hear #5 in an exam. An examiner could ask you: How are you doing today? I included this question in my list because when native speakers contract this question, it’s not clear that the question is “How are you doing”?
Just like “How are you?,” questions #4 and #5 can either be genuine questions, OR they are simply used as a greeting.
6) What have you been up to?
definition: Tell me what is happening in your life now. Give me new information.
examples
A: I haven’t seen you in months. What have you been up to?
B: Nothing much. I’ve just been so busy at work. We should have coffee together and catch up.
Notice how this question is usually in the present perfect. We can also use the present simple.
A: You saw Ben last night? What is he up to?
B: He just started his first year at university.
7) What is someone up to?
We looked at this question in #6, but this question can mean something else.
definition: I’m suspicious. What is he or she doing?
examples
My kids are being really quiet in their bedroom. What are they up to?
Brianna has been really nice to me today. What is she up to?
8) What’s going on? (What is)
This question can have the same definition as #6 (What have you been up to?), but there is another definition.
definition #2: I see / feel a problem. What’s the explanation?
examples
Why are there so many police vans outside? What’s going on?
You’ve been moody for days. What’s going on? You can tell me.
Tess and Frank are fighting again! What’s going on?
9) What’s wrong? (What is)
definition: Are you OK? Is there a problem?
examples
A: Why are you crying Teresa? What’s wrong?
B: I just got some bad news.
A: What’s wrong Jack? You seem upset about something.
B: Do I? No, I’m fine. I’ll try to look cheerier.
10) What’s wrong with you? (What is)
definition: Why did you do that bad / crazy / stupid thing?
examples
You hid the boss’s office key? What’s wrong with you? You’re going to get in trouble if he finds out.
You tattooed a picture of your face on your head? What is wrong with you? You know that’s permanent, right?
11) How could you?
definition: I’m so angry, sad, and hurt by your actions. I can’t believe you did that.
When we use this question, we feel “betrayed.”
examples
situation: Your best friend’s uncle works in a company that you really want to join. You ask your best friend to give him your resume because you really want an interview. Later, you discover that your best friend threw your resume in the trash and asked her uncle for a job for herself.
You can say: How could you?
situation: You discover that your partner has been stealing from you.
You can say: How could you?
Number 11 is what we call a “rhetorical question.” A rhetorical question is a question that does not need an answer. We ask rhetorical questions to express ourselves.
12) What’s (up) with ____? (What is)
definition: I see something different. I’m curious. I want an explanation.
examples
A: What’s with the decorations?
B: It’s our CEO’s birthday tomorrow, so we’re throwing him a surprise party.
A: Ah, I see.
A: What’s up with your dog? He’s been sitting like that for five minutes.
B: He likes to watch the squirrels in the trees. He’ll sit like that for hours.
13) What’s the deal with ___? (What is)
definition: Same as #12.
examples
during the pandemic
A: What’s the deal with everyone buying so much toilet paper?
B: I don’t know.
A: What’s the deal with all of these vegetables? Your fridge is packed!
B: Oh, I’m on a diet. Vegetables only.
A: Hmm…that sounds promising. (said sarcastically)
14) What do you do?
definition: What is your job?
examples
A: What do you do?
B: I’m an online English teacher.
A: What did your grandpa do? (past simple)
B: He was a chemist.
If you’re enjoying this blog and find lists of vocabulary useful, why not check out my PDF below:
15) What have + subject + done?
Notice this question is in the present perfect.
definition: I’m in shock because I did something bad. I regret this.
examples
What have I done? I accidentally sent the email to all of my contacts.
What have you done? Hundreds of people are now in danger!
16) Who do you think you’re talking to?
definition: I’m better than you. I’m more powerful, richer, more famous than you. You can’t say that to me.
examples
employee: You are always late for meetings. Please don’t tell us to be here on time if you’re not here on time.
manager: Who do you think you’re talking to?
teenager: Mom, I’m hungry. Make me a sandwich.
Mom: Who do you think you’re talking to?
17) What’s gotten into you? (What has)
definition: Why are you suddenly acting differently – in a bad way?
examples
You don’t normally swear. What’s gotten into you?
What’s gotten into Bob? He’s been really quiet lately.
18) Who are you and what have you done with + person?
definition: Why are you suddenly acting differently – in a good way?
examples
situation: Your friend never exercises. She hates exercising.
A: I got a personal trainer. I’m gonna have sessions three days a week.
B: Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?
situation: Your parents never want to spend money.
A: I need a new lap. Mine is five years old.
B: Let me buy you a new one. We should get a new MacBook.
A: Who are you and what have you done with my dad?
19) Why would / wouldn’t I (+verb)?
definition: Why do you think I would or would not do that? I’m surprised you asked me that question.
examples
A: Are you going to your sister’s wedding?
B: Why wouldn’t I go? She’s my sister!
A: Did you take my lunch out of the fridge? It had my name on it.
B: Why would I? Of course not.
20) How come ( + subject + verb)?
definition: Why? / Why not?
examples
How come your hands are so cold?
Why are your hands so cold?
How come you take the bus to work when you have a car?
Why do you take the bus to work when you have a car?
A: I’m not going to Megan’s party.
B: How come?
Why not?
OK, we’re at the very last question!
21) Where does the time go?
definition: Wow, time is passing so quickly.
examples
Parents: Our youngest child is going to university next year. Where does the time go?
At work: It’s already 12? Where does the time go? Let’s get some lunch.
This line has an issue: “You may hear #6 in an exam. An examiner could ask you: How are you doing today? ”
I think there should be #5 instead of #6.
Hi Andy! Thank you so much for pointing this out, I’ve just made the correction above. Arnel 🙂