100 Answers To Common English Questions

Sometimes, even when you know a lot of English, you can have difficulty finding the right words or phrases to answer simple questions. Here are 20 of the most common questions in English – each one with five sample responses.

General Questions

1. WHAT DO YOU DO?

This question means “What is your job/profession?”

• I’m a student.
• I work in a bank.
• I’m unemployed at the moment.
• I run my own business.
  The word “run” means you are the primary person responsible for operating the business.
• I’m retired now. I used to be an engineer.
  “Retired” means you have stopped working (usually after you are 60 or 65 years old).

2. ARE YOU MARRIED?

• Yes, I’ve been married for two years now.
• I’m divorced.
• I’m engaged – we’re getting married next year.
• No, but I’m in a relationship.
• Nope, I’m single.
  “Nope” is an informal way to say “No.”

3. WHY ARE YOU STUDYING ENGLISH?

• For work.
• So I can communicate when I travel.
• I love learning new languages.
• Because I’d like to immigrate to the U.S.
• I’m thinking of studying in England.
  The correct way is “thinking of studying” and not “thinking to study.”

4. WHERE/HOW DID YOU LEARN ENGLISH

• I took classes for three years.
• I did an intensive course.
• I’ve been studying on my own.
  You can also say “studying by myself.”
• I picked it up from movies and songs.
  In this context, “picked it up” means “learned it casually.”
• My girlfriend taught me.

5. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?

I don’t have any free time!

I usually hang out with friends.
“Hang out” means to spend time in an informal way.

I go running a lot.

I do volunteer work.

I like reading and relaxing at home.