Questions tagged [responses]

For inquiries about the grammar, and phrasing of responses.

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How should Alice answer 'where are you from' in this situation? [closed]

Alice was born in France. When she was 20, she moved to Australia, where she lived for another 20 years before moving to Canada. Now, a new friend in Canada asks her, 'where are you from?' How should ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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yes/no answers to negative questions

I spent several hours, studying on this site and on others the topic of "yes/no answers to negative questions". Eventually, I decided to make up my own sentences on how I understood this ...
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Which is used to answer and accepted in everyday speech? Short answer or in whole sentence [closed]

Do you get much homework every day? Yes, I do. Do you get much homework every day? Yes, I get a lot of. Is it usual to answer in a whole sentence or just use the short answer? Which do you use? Is ...
2 votes
1 answer
76 views

Meaning of "... how it is that..."?

The original sentence: We set out to explore how it is that we can all live in the same universe yet see reality so differently. The compared sentence: We set out to explore how we can all live in ...
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1 answer
236 views

Can "why" questions be answered without using "because" or "to"?

At schools in my country they teach that you should answer using the word "because" or "to" when you are asked "why". Can't you answer without "because" or &...
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Does the phrase "hoping the same" sounds arrogant? [closed]

Suppose, I have written a post regarding achieving some good at my job and earning a few certificates and I got a reply to that: "Hope your upcoming posts will have more number of certificates.&...
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1 answer
491 views

How to answer "what are you bad at?"

In a team, we have been asked the question "what are you bad at?" and how can we answer it in a positive way? The answer I given was "being stucked with the work which I want to achieve&...
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1 answer
37 views

"To a bar" vs "A bar" as an answer to "Where did they go?"

Can the preposition "to" be left out in a short answer to the question "Where did they go?"? Should it be "To a bar." or "A bar."? I am not sure because the ...
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0 answers
52 views

Have you ever been anywhere? Nowhere, but I’m going / No, I haven't, but I’m going

Are both answers natural? Can I choose freely on what part of that kind of sentence to answer ('Have you ever been'--->No, I haven't... / 'anywhere'--->Nowhere...)? Have you ever been anywhere ...
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23 votes
7 answers
30k views

What to answer to "you're too kind"?

I told a guy I knew that he looks good in a pink shirt. He told me: "Thank you, you're too kind". What is the appropriate English answer in this case? Also I'm not sure if the guy's answer ...
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"wouldn't hope so." vs "would hope not."

You're disencouraged to say "I don't hope so" instead of "I hope not", but what about "I wouldn't/shouldn't hope so" ?
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1 answer
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In what question(s), I can reply a past perfect tense answer?

Can a simple past tense question have a past perfect tense answer? Q: Did you eat? A: Yes, I had eaten. Is the above correct? As I wonder if a past perfect tense can solely exist without a simple ...
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1 answer
143 views

What is the correct way to reply “What is the XXX”?

What is the correct way to reply “What is the most expensive food in the market”? Should I say: The most expensive food is banana. The banana is the most expensive food. A banana is the most ...
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1 vote
2 answers
417 views

Correct response to "Has he lost his keys?"

imagine a situation when someone lost their keys but after some time he has found them. What would be the correct response to this question? "Has he lost his keys?" Options: "No, he ...
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1 vote
1 answer
80 views

"He is" or "It is"

I'd like to know how to begin the answer to the following question. Who is the actor that played an action hero in Speed, a cyber-criminal in The Matrix, a killing machine in John Wick, and who’s now ...
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2 votes
1 answer
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a short answer on a question "Could you wait for a moment?"

Is it right that on a question: "Could you wait for a moment, please?" I can't say: "I could", only "I can" because "could" in my answer will be about the past. ...
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1 answer
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Is “He was eating.” a complete sentence to a question? [closed]

Is “He was eating.” a complete sentence to the question “What is Stacey eating?”
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2 answers
90 views

Respond to Apology

If someone apologises for being late, is it pragmatically correct to respond as follow? Student: Good morning Mr. Anderson, I’m sorry I’m late! Teacher: Yes, I can see! So why are you late? I mean, ...
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1 answer
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Correct response for "Do you mind?" [closed]

What is the proper response for "Do you mind?"
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Should I say "I'm going to see" or "I'm going to"?

In the following situation: --Have you gone to see the doctor? --No, but_______. Should I say "I'm going to see" or "I'm going to"? I feel like the former one makes more sense, ...
3 votes
1 answer
236 views

Answer to the question of "Mind if I ~? "

Q1. I saw this dialogue in a book: A: "Mind if I see your notebook?" B: "Sure." In this context, "Sure" was used to mean "I don't mind, go ahead." Right? But ...
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1 answer
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respond to "I hope I'm successful!"

One of my friends who has applied to a university told me "I hope I'm successful!". How can I respond to that? Is it correct to say "I'm sure you will be fine"? Any better ...
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1 answer
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What should I say in response to "I hope next year is better"?

How should I reply to this statement without using a bland "me too"? I want the conversation to keep going past this, but I'm not sure how to respond well.
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1 answer
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Response to "How you doing?"?

What is a natural response to "Good to see you. How you doing?"? Will a natural response include "doing" as in "I'm doing okay" or will "I'm okay" be more ...
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6 votes
3 answers
4k views

Is "Don't be" correct as a response to "I am sorry"?

I heard someone saying "Don't be" in response to "I am sorry". I wonder whether it is correct. Some native speakers said it was a mistake, however, some said it was correct. Is ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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What's the difference between saying "not so much" and "no I don't"?

What's the difference between saying "not so much" and "no I don't"? For example: Q: Do you like horror movies? A1: Not so much. A2: No I don't.
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Sarcastic response

Context: Someone has behaved in a very bad way at work and wants to apologize for it a few days later. He's talking to a coworker of his. Person: I hope you can forgive me. I bought some chocolates to ...
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1 answer
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How to politely respond when someone calls your name?

I found the following example in Genesis 22:1: Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. Is "here I am" considered as a polite response when ...
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1 answer
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Is it OK to say "I am Nathan, I am smart, I am nice" in English in answer to "Who are you?"? [closed]

Is it ok to answer, "I am smart, I am kind, and I am strong" to the question, "Who are you?"?
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What do you say when someone one points at you and says there it is and you never met them before and it wasn't you

What do say when someone one just walks up to you and points and says there it is and you never met them before and it wasn't you?
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1 answer
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What is the more proper alternative to "my bad"?

When people admit mistakes they tend to use the phrase "my bad". I found that it is an informal way in North America. Could anyone help me with a better alternative?
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17 votes
9 answers
13k views

Is it OK to respond to "thanks" with "sure"?

When someone says ..., thanks. Is it appropriate to respond with sure If so, in which situations it would be OK, and what exactly would it imply?
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2 answers
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"How aware are managers of ..." vs "How managers are aware of ...?" Any difference in Asking and Replying?

Asking: A1 How aware are managers of employee attitudes and behaviours? A2 How managers are aware of employee attitudes and behaviours? Replying: R1 Managers are very well aware of ...
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How to respond to 'Would you like to come with us?'

Would you like to come with us? Oh, sure. I'd love to. It is from our OXFORD student book. So my question is Can students just answer 'I'd love to.' , 'Sure.', 'OK.' or 'That sounds great!'? ...
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-1 votes
2 answers
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What a granny is supposed to say to respond to "Thank You"?

A post gives "8 Ways to Respond to Thank You". I didn't find one is appropriate the following situation. Imagine that, a granny prepares a breakfast for her grandson. Grandson: thank you, granny. ...
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4 votes
1 answer
150 views

Short answers - 'In Tokyo' v 'Tokyo'

This issue arose in a recent lesson. In short, it centres on the difference between: Where do you live? I live in Tokyo. v In Tokyo. v Tokyo. and: Which city do you live in? I live in Tokyo?...
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12 votes
4 answers
7k views

Can we say or write : "No, it'sn't"?

I know we can answer either : No, it's not No, it isn't But is it accepted and understandable to write : No, it'sn't What about saying it ?
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Responding to ‘Is the price negotiable?’ [closed]

I have been selling some stuff on Gumtree, and nearly every potiential buyer has messaged me asking if my prices are negotiable. What are some common, idomatic responses native speakers use to ...
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1 answer
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If my teacher ask me this, which is the right way to answer it? [closed]

Q : Are these books borrowed by you yesterday? A1 : Yes, these books are. A2 : Yes, these are. What is difference between A1 and A2?
2 votes
2 answers
10k views

Is the correct response "here you are" or "here you have"?

If the question is: Would you give me a leaflet in Russian, please? Which answer is correct? Yes, here you are madam. or Yes, here you have, sir.
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1 vote
2 answers
4k views

Is an interrogative sentence like "So did you?" or "So is she?", possible?

A: Mike came here yesterday. B: Possible responses: (1) Did you, too? (2) So did you? Instead of saying, "Did you come here yesterday, too?", can you say, (1) "Did you, too?" and (2) "So did you?"? ...
4 votes
3 answers
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Answer to the question "where have you been?"

How should I answer the question "where have you been"? Should a possible reply be "I've been cleaning the garden." or "I was cleaning the garden."? I mean should I use 'present perfect tense' or '...
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0 votes
3 answers
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"What makes you think of watching a movie?" Is this sentence OK?

The answer for the question I want to say would be "the story", "casts", etc. You might say "What is the factor that makes you think of watching a movie?" for that ...
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4 answers
1k views

answering "Yes" or "No" for a question "She doesn't hate me, right?"

I am not a native English speaker. It is very confusing how to answering "Yes." or "No." for a negative question with "right?" added at the end. Tom: She doesn't hate me, right? Tom's Friend: ...
1 vote
2 answers
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Is it correct to use name or brand between "the" and "one"?

If there is a question: Which camera do you want? (in this case only the owner's name differentiating them) Can it be answered: We want the Cindy one?
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Answering question with yes or no

if someone asks me "Hasn't it been decided yet?" and if it hasn't been decided should I answer with: Yes (it hasn't been decided yet.) or No (it hasn't been decided yet.)
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1 vote
1 answer
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What are some appropriate responses to the speaker who told you that her birthday was yesterday

I would like to thank you userr2684291 and FumbleFingers for their help on my previous post (I have deleted it because I don't want them to get into any trouble). (I was doing some English learning ...
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10 votes
2 answers
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What are some polite ways to respond to the people who call your name but you don't know them

I was waiting for the elevator to arrive at the ground floor and a man called my name. I turned to him and saw him looking at me but I could not recognize him. I was surprised because I did not ...
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1 vote
2 answers
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Question about answering

Scenario 1 person 1 - Have you ran? person 2 - I haven't ran. person 3 - I didn't run. Scenario 2 person 1 - Did anyone salt that pork? person 2 - I haven't salted that pork. person 3 -...
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1 answer
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What does "Let's be in touch {TIME}" mean?

In a job hunt email a person said that is not looking for someone right now, Let's be in touch summer 2017. What does he mean and how can I say to him that I would like to speak more closely to the ...
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