General Questions Phrases

General Questions Phrases

English Phrases, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because Phrases don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning Phrases is fun, especially when you compare English Phrases to the Phrases in your own language.

General Questions Phrases with Meaning and Example

Here’s a list of “General Questions Phrases” in English:

And you?

• Meaning: Asking for the other person’s opinion or status.
• Example: “I had a great weekend. And you?”

Anything else?

• Meaning: Asking if there is more to be added or needed.
• Example: “I need bread and milk. Anything else?”

Are they the same?

• Meaning: Inquiring if two or more items are identical.
• Example: “Are these shirts the same color?”

Are you afraid?

• Meaning: Asking if someone is scared.
• Example: “Are you afraid of heights?”

Are you going to attend their wedding?

• Meaning: Inquiring about someone’s plans to go to a wedding.
• Example: “Are you going to attend their wedding next month?”

Are you married?

• Meaning: Asking if someone has a spouse.
• Example: “Are you married or single?”

Are you okay?

• Meaning: Checking if someone is well.
• Example: “You look upset. Are you okay?”

Are you sick?

• Meaning: Inquiring if someone is ill.
• Example: “You didn’t come to work. Are you sick?”

Behind the bank.

• Meaning: Indicating a location.
• Example: “Where is the parking lot? It’s behind the bank.”

Can I borrow some money?

• Meaning: Asking to lend money.
• Example: “I’m short on cash. Can I borrow some money?”

Can I have the bill please?

• Meaning: Requesting the bill in a restaurant.
• Example: “We’re ready to leave. Can I have the bill, please?”

Can you call back later?

• Meaning: Asking someone to call at a later time.
• Example: “I’m in a meeting. Can you call back later?”

Can you call me back later?

• Meaning: Requesting a return call at a different time.
• Example: “I’m busy right now. Can you call me back later?”

Can you carry this for me?

• Meaning: Asking for help with carrying something.
• Example: “This box is heavy. Can you carry this for me?”

Can you fix this?

• Meaning: Asking for help to repair something.
• Example: “My computer is broken. Can you fix this?”

Can you give me an example?

• Meaning: Requesting an example for clarity.
• Example: “I don’t understand. Can you give me an example?”

Can you speak louder please?

• Meaning: Asking someone to speak more audibly.
• Example: “I can’t hear you. Can you speak louder, please?”

Can you swim?

• Meaning: Inquiring if someone can swim.
• Example: “We’re going to the lake. Can you swim?”

Does he like the school?

• Meaning: Asking about someone’s opinion of a school.
• Example: “He just started. Does he like the school?”

Do you accept U.S. Dollars?

• Meaning: Asking if U.S. Dollars are accepted as payment.
• Example: “I’m traveling abroad. Do you accept U.S. Dollars?”

Do you have a girlfriend?

• Meaning: Inquiring about someone’s relationship status.
• Example: “Are you dating anyone? Do you have a girlfriend?”

Do you have an appointment?

• Meaning: Asking if someone has a scheduled meeting.
• Example: “I need to see the doctor. Do you have an appointment?”

Do you have a problem?

• Meaning: Inquiring if there is an issue or difficulty.
• Example: “You seem upset. Do you have a problem?”

Do you hear that?

• Meaning: Asking if someone can hear a sound.
• Example: “There’s a strange noise. Do you hear that?”

Do you know how to get to the Marriott Hotel?

• Meaning: Asking for directions to a hotel.
• Example: “I’m lost. Do you know how to get to the Marriott Hotel?”

Do you know what this means?

• Meaning: Asking if someone understands something.
• Example: “This word is new to me. Do you know what this means?”

Do you know where I can get a taxi?

• Meaning: Inquiring about a place to find a taxi.
• Example: “I’m in a hurry. Do you know where I can get a taxi?”

Do you know where my glasses are?

• Meaning: Asking for help finding glasses.
• Example: “I can’t find them. Do you know where my glasses are?”

Do you like your co-workers?

• Meaning: Asking about someone’s opinion of their colleagues.
• Example: “How’s your new job? Do you like your co-workers?”

Do you need anything else?

• Meaning: Offering further assistance or asking if more is needed.
• Example: “I’ve got your groceries. Do you need anything else?”

Do you understand?

• Meaning: Asking if someone comprehends something.
• Example: “I’ve explained it twice. Do you understand?”

Give me the pen.

• Meaning: Requesting a pen from someone.
• Example: “I need to sign this form. Give me the pen.”

How do you know?

• Meaning: Asking about the source of someone’s knowledge.
• Example: “That’s interesting. How do you know?”

How is she?

• Meaning: Inquiring about someone’s well-being.
• Example: “I heard she’s been sick. How is she?”

How long is it?

• Meaning: Asking about the length or duration of something.
• Example: “We’re going on a trip. How long is it?”

How many?

• Meaning: Asking about quantity.
• Example: “I need apples. How many?”

How much is it?

• Meaning: Inquiring about the price of something.
• Example: “I’m interested in this dress. How much is it?”

I have a lot of things to do.

• Meaning: Indicating being busy.
• Example: “I can’t go out tonight. I have a lot of things to do.”

In 30 minutes.

• Meaning: Indicating the time duration.
• Example: “When will you be ready? In 30 minutes.”

Is anyone else coming?

• Meaning: Asking if additional people are expected.
• Example: “The party is starting soon. Is anyone else coming?”

Is everything ok?

• Meaning: Checking if all is well.
• Example: “You look worried. Is everything ok?”

Is it cold outside?

• Meaning: Inquiring about the weather temperature.
• Example: “Should I wear a jacket? Is it cold outside?”

Is it far from here?

• Meaning: Asking about the distance to a location.
• Example: “How far is the nearest grocery store? Is it far from here?”

Is it hot?

• Meaning: Asking about the temperature.
• Example: “We’re going for a walk. Is it hot?”

Is it raining?

• Meaning: Inquiring if it is currently raining.
• Example: “I can’t see outside. Is it raining?”

Is there anything cheaper?

• Meaning: Asking if there are less expensive options.
• Example: “I can’t afford this. Is there anything cheaper?”

Is your son here?

• Meaning: Asking if someone’s son is present.
• Example: “I’m looking for John. Is your son here?”

Should I wait?

• Meaning: Inquiring if it is advisable to wait.
• Example: “The doctor is busy. Should I wait?”

The big one or the small one?

• Meaning: Asking for a preference between two sizes.
• Example: “Which suitcase should I pack? The big one or the small one?”

The cars are American.

• Meaning: Indicating the origin of the cars.
• Example: “Are these cars from Europe? No, the cars are American.”

Were there any problems?

• Meaning: Asking if any issues occurred.
• Example: “How was the trip? Were there any problems?”

Were you at the library last night?

• Meaning: Inquiring if someone was at the library.
• Example: “I thought I saw you. Were you at the library last night?”

What are you doing?

• Meaning: Asking about someone’s current activity.
• Example: “You look busy. What are you doing?”

What are you thinking about?

• Meaning: Inquiring about someone’s thoughts.
• Example: “You seem distracted. What are you thinking about?”

What are you two talking about?

• Meaning: Asking what a conversation is about.
• Example: “I just joined. What are you two talking about?”

What did you do last night?

• Meaning: Asking about someone’s activities the previous night.
• Example: “You weren’t home. What did you do last night?”

What did you do yesterday?

• Meaning: Inquiring about someone’s activities the previous day.
• Example: “How was your day? What did you do yesterday?”

What did you think?

• Meaning: Asking for someone’s opinion.
• Example: “I saw the movie. What did you think?”

What do they study?

• Meaning: Inquiring about someone’s field of study.
• Example: “Your friends are in college. What do they study?”

What do you have?

• Meaning: Asking about someone’s possessions or options.
• Example: “I’m hungry. What do you have?”

What do you think?

• Meaning: Asking for an opinion.
• Example: “I like this dress. What do you think?”

What happened?

• Meaning: Asking about an event or occurrence.
• Example: “I heard a noise. What happened?”

What is it?

• Meaning: Asking about an object or issue.
• Example: “You seem upset. What is it?”

What is that?

• Meaning: Inquiring about something unfamiliar.
• Example: “I’ve never seen this before. What is that?”

What should I wear?

• Meaning: Asking for advice on clothing.
• Example: “The party is tonight. What should I wear?”

What’s in it?

• Meaning: Asking about the contents or ingredients.
• Example: “This soup is delicious. What’s in it?”

What’s the temperature?

• Meaning: Inquiring about the weather temperature.
• Example: “It’s hot outside. What’s the temperature?”

What’s this?

• Meaning: Asking about an unfamiliar object or concept.
• Example: “I found this in your drawer. What’s this?”

What’s up?

• Meaning: Asking what’s happening or how someone is.
• Example: “Hey, what’s up?”

Where are you from?

• Meaning: Inquiring about someone’s place of origin.
• Example: “You have an accent. Where are you from?”

Where can I rent a car?

• Meaning: Asking about a place to rent a car.
• Example: “I need transportation. Where can I rent a car?”

Where did it happen?

• Meaning: Asking about the location of an event.
• Example: “There was an accident. Where did it happen?”

Where did you learn it?

• Meaning: Asking about the source of someone’s knowledge.
• Example: “Your English is excellent. Where did you learn it?”

Where is he?

• Meaning: Asking about someone’s whereabouts.
• Example: “John was here a minute ago. Where is he?”

Where is he from?

• Meaning: Inquiring about someone’s place of origin.
• Example: “I met a new colleague. Where is he from?”

Which is better, the spaghetti or chicken salad?

• Meaning: Asking for a comparison between two options.
• Example: “I’m trying to decide. Which is better, the spaghetti or chicken salad?”

Which one do you want?

• Meaning: Asking for a preference between multiple options.
• Example: “We have chocolate and vanilla. Which one do you want?”

Which one is cheaper?

• Meaning: Inquiring about the less expensive option.
• Example: “I’m on a budget. Which one is cheaper?”

Which one is the best?

• Meaning: Asking for the superior option.
• Example: “I’m buying a laptop. Which one is the best?”

Which school does he go to?

• Meaning: Asking about someone’s educational institution.
• Example: “Your son is a student. Which school does he go to?”

Who are they?

• Meaning: Inquiring about the identity of a group.
• Example: “I saw some new faces. Who are they?”

Who are you looking for?

• Meaning: Asking about the person someone is trying to find.
• Example: “You seem lost. Who are you looking for?”

Who is it? (Inquiring about who is on the phone)

• Meaning: Asking for the identity of a caller.
• Example: “The phone is ringing. Who is it?”

Who’s calling?

• Meaning: Inquiring about the identity of a caller.
• Example: “May I ask who’s calling?”

Who’s that man over there?

• Meaning: Asking for the identity of a person.
• Example: “I see someone I don’t recognize. Who’s that man over there?”

Who taught you that?

• Meaning: Inquiring about the source of someone’s knowledge.
• Example: “You play the piano well. Who taught you that?”

Why did you say that?

• Meaning: Asking for the reason behind someone’s words.
• Example: “That was unexpected. Why did you say that?”

Will you pass me the salt please?

• Meaning: Requesting the salt from someone.
• Example: “The food needs more seasoning. Will you pass me the salt, please?”

Will you put this in the car for me?

• Meaning: Asking for help placing something in a car.
• Example: “My hands are full. Will you put this in the car for me?”

Would you ask him to call me back please?

• Meaning: Requesting someone to relay a message for a callback.
• Example: “He isn’t available. Would you ask him to call me back, please?”

Yes.

• Meaning: Affirmative response.
• Example: “Can you help me? Yes.”

You have a very nice car.

• Meaning: Complimenting someone’s vehicle.
• Example: “I noticed your car outside. You have a very nice car.”

You look like my sister.

• Meaning: Comparing someone’s appearance to a sibling.
• Example: “I just met you, but you look like my sister.”

List of General Questions Phrases

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