1

Suppose that you see a person who used to work with you in the same building but they left that job for another a year ago. You see them again in the same building and turn and say:

Awo, you still in [The building's name]!!!

Added later: The building name would imply a sense of affiliation with that building. For example, suppose that sentence can be understood as "Are you working here again?"

Also, suppose you say this with a rising tone of voice as if you are really surprised to see them there. Is that a common thing to remove the be? I mean in the informal spoken American English?

S.N: I know in AmE, there are senetnces like "how you doing" or "where{'re?!} you going". Hence, I asked this question. I have a feeling that I've heard the similar structures many times before.

|improve this question
2

Yes, "You still here?" is very common in colloquial speech.

"You still in?" I would understand as using the adverb "in" (usually meaning "at home"), not the preposition "in". To mean "Are you still in the building?" I would expect "You still inside?"

Edit: I misread part of the question. Yes, "You still in [name of building]?" is fine. I thought you were talking about "You still in?"

|improve this answer
  • Thanks Colin, lets say the building's name is ELL and being in ELL implies a sense of affiliation with a specific organization. Then, I say, "You still in ELL?" as if I want them to answer me something like "No I no longer work here, just came to see someone" – Cardinal May 20 '19 at 19:46
  • @Cardinal: See my edit. – Colin Fine May 20 '19 at 21:47
  • 2
    @Cardinal: I think in colloquial American, you might be more likely to say "Are you still at [company or firm name]?" which asks the precise question about their employment. (Or "Are you back at [firm name]?"). The version with the building is grammatical but sounds to my ears like a non-American colloquialism. – Ben May 20 '19 at 22:02

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.