How To Answer "How Are You?" Correctly In English

Almost daily, we’re asked, “How are you?” The question—and its popular variation, “How are you doing?”—appears in emails from strangers & acquaintances và in polite face-to-face conversation. But what vì chưng we really know about this ubiquitous phrase?

What’s the difference between “How are you” & “How are you doing?”

The phrases sound similar, but in certain contexts, they may have subtly different meanings.

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How are you? makes a slightly more personal inquiry about someone’s health or mood. It focuses on the person’s condition. It’s also a bit more formal than “How are you doing?”

How are you doing? is a general inquiry. It can ask about what’s going on in someone’s environment (similar lớn questions like, “How’s your day been so far?”) or in some contexts can mean “How are you faring?” or “Do you need anything?” (Think of a vps approaching your table at a restaurant và asking, “How are we doing here?”) It’s considered a bit more casual & conversational than “How are you?”


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In an audible conversation, the perceived differences between the two phrases can vary regionally. Take this example from a diễn đàn discussion on the topic:

In my experience as a native speaker in the Middle Atlantic region . . . “How are you?” is a bland greeting for someone you haven’t seen for a while, while “How are you doing?” . . . May be an actual inquiry. The latter is more common when there is some expectation that the subject might not be doing well.

For example: “Hey, haven’t seen you in ages! How are you?” versus . . . “How are you doing: is the new baby still keeping you up all night?”

—cricketswool on English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

When spoken, both phrases convey quality meanings depending on which word is accented. “How are you?” might come across as a one-size-fits-all greeting, but “How are you?” would have a more personal or sincere tone, or even one of concern. A rather flat “How are you doing?” can become outright flirtatious when spoken, “How are you doing?” (especially if you drop the “are” and affect your best Joey Tribianni accent.)

Which is more professional: “How are you?” or “How are you doing?”

When you write an thư điện tử or other text greetings, the stakes change a bit. Which phrase sounds more professional?

Both phrases are appropriate for work correspondence, but stick to “How are you?” in more formal settings. It’s also better lớn use “How are you?” when you don’t know the correspondent very well—it’s generic enough lớn be considered a polite (if rather meaningless) gesture.


Here’s a tip:
It’s okay lớn leave “How are you?” unanswered when responding to an email unless the answer is somehow pertinent.

5 Alternatives khổng lồ Writing “How are you doing?” & “How are you?” in Email

Because they’re so ubiquitous, these phrases can disappear into the background or, worse, sound like insincere filler. Và yet, sometimes you want to start an e-mail with a bit of polite banter. Here are a few options.

1 It was fun to bump into you at . Did you come away as fired up as I did?

If you know your contact, consider starting with something more personalized. A shared experience lượt thích a conference is always a good starting point, particularly if it’s relevant khổng lồ the conversation to lớn follow. Look for common ground & start from there.

2 I hope your day has been upbeat và productive.

Who doesn’t want an upbeat, productive day? Think about the other person’s work setting and come up with a few fun or clever ways to wish them well. Another example would be . . .

Xem thêm: Khắc Phục Lỗi Không Thể Đăng Nhập Vào Gmail? Cách Khắc Phục Cách Khắc Phục

3 Are the ideas flowing along with the coffee?

Try something lượt thích this out on a Monday morning to beat the back-to-work doldrums.

4I enjoyed your about .

If you follow your liên hệ on Twitter or keep an eye on their blog, you can’t thua thảm with a comment about their professional tweet or post. Just make sure your phản hồi is a natural lead-in khổng lồ the topic of your e-mail or your phản hồi will seem irrelevant.

5 Hi ,

You don’t have to start with any friendly preamble. In fact, people who receive a lot of thư điện tử will appreciate you getting straight khổng lồ the point.

3 Ways to lớn answer “How are you?” in Conversation

Most people agree it’s best not to lớn take “How are you?” too literally. Although everyone asks, few people want you khổng lồ recite a laundry list of the day’s events or personal struggles. Context clues will tell you whether the person asking is making a sincere inquiry about your welfare or just engaging in polite chit-chat.

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1 I’m fine, thanks. How are you?

By far the most socially acceptable response lớn “How are you?” is “Fine, thanks” with a reciprocal, “How are you?”


Here’s a tip:
In many cultures, “How are you?” & “Fine, thanks; & you?” are treated as a polite social interaction and nothing more. Similar exchanges happen in other cultures. In China, people often greet one another with, “Hello! Have you eaten?” The answer is always a polite yes, regardless of your current state of hunger, và never an enthusiastic, “I could eat!”

2 I’m having one of those days. How about you?

This type of exchange is appropriate if you’ve come upon someone who seems to be having a challenging day & you want to cốt truyện a little friendly commiseration. Be warned, though, that if the other person isn’t also having “one of those days,” you might seem as though you’re fishing for attention.

3Happier than a seagull with a french fry!

If you’re in a good mood, there’s nothing wrong with sharing it. You might brighten someone’s day in the process. Can you think of a few clever similes to lớn make your own?

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