Common Mistakes
ALL-LEVELSLANGUAGESPEAKINGWENDELL'S PICKS
Not answering the 'how' of "How are you?"
11/25/2022
By not answering, the listener doesn't know how to respond:
William: How are you?
Seo-Jun: I was so busy today. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to eat lunch.
William: *Sounds like you had a terrible day. I am sorry to hear that.
Seo-Jun: **Oh, no. It was a great day because I was highly productive.
Answering 'How are you?' enables the listener to know how to respond accordingly.
*Because William doesn't know how Seo-Jun is feeling, William guesses that Seo-Jun had a terrible day.
**In the end, Seo-Jun clarifies that he had a productive day, but William may feel embarrassed for responding incorrectly.
....
By answering, the listener knows how to respond:
William: How are you?
Seo-Jun: I'm great!
William: What did you do today?
Seo-Jun: I had a meeting with a client this morning, and a networking event at noon, so, unfortunately, I didn't have time for lunch and a golf lesson in the afternoon.
William: *Sounds like you had a busy yet productive day. I am happy to hear that.
Seo-Jun: Thanks.
*Because William knows how Seo-Jun is feeling, William can respond accordingly.
....
How are you?
11/25/2022
Not Understanding:
Noah: How are you?
Hyun: How are you?
Noah: No. You! How are you doing?
Hyun: How are you doing?
Noah: I am great! How are you doing? Good? Fine? Not bad?
Hyun: Good.
Noah: *I am happy to hear that. (smiles & leaves)
*Noah understands that Hyun doesn't understand English and English greetings. Therefore, Noah smiles and leaves, knowing that the conversation cannot go much deeper.
....
