How do you do? vs How are you?
- How do you do? vs How are you?
If I had a Euro for every time someone got this one wrong - I'd be a rich bunny!
How do you do?
This is not a question. It is another, very formal way of saying "Hello." It is also very British.
The correct response is; "Pleased to meet you." or "How do you do." or just "Hello."
We only really use it the first time we meet someone.
How are you?
This is a question, but the person asking it doesn't really want to know the truth about your aching back or hangover.
A polite response is; "I'm fine thanks. And you?"
For more on this topic see here.
English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words.
2014.
Look at other dictionaries:
how are you keeping? — How are you? • • • Main Entry: ↑keep * * * How are you keeping? Brit used to ask if someone feels good, bad, happy, well, etc. “How are you keeping [=how are you doing], Jill?” “Oh, pretty well, thanks.” • • • Main Entry: ↑keep … Useful english dictionary
how are you? — 1. A conventional greeting to an acquaintance 2. Sometimes specifically referring to his or her state of health • • • Main Entry: ↑how * * * how are you? spoken phrase used as a greeting when you meet someone that you know. This phrase is… … Useful english dictionary
how are you doing? — how are things/how’s it going/how are you doing/? spoken phrase used for asking someone about their progress or their general situation ‘How are you doing, Bill?’ ‘Oh, pretty well.’ ‘How are things?’ ‘Much the same as usual.’ Thesaurus: ways of… … Useful english dictionary
how are you getting along — are you able to do it? are you okay? how are you doing How are you getting along at the new school, Gail? Fine. I like my subjects … English idioms
how are you fixed? — how are you, etc. ˈfixed (for sth)? idiom (informal) used to ask how much of sth a person has, or to ask about arrangements • How are you fixed for cash? • How are we fixed for Saturday (= have we arranged to do anything) … Useful english dictionary
how are you fixed for something? — how are you, etc. ˈfixed (for sth)? idiom (informal) used to ask how much of sth a person has, or to ask about arrangements • How are you fixed for cash? • How are we fixed for Saturday (= have we arranged to do anything) … Useful english dictionary
how are you making out — are you able to do the job? have you made progress? how are you doing The manager came to my office and said, How are you making out? Finished the report? … English idioms
how are you doing — are you feeling fine? is life good to you? How are you doing, Chan? I haven t seen you for awhile … English idioms
how are you placed for doing something? — british spoken phrase used for asking whether someone can do something How are you placed for looking after the kids at the weekend? Thesaurus: ways of asking questions and making requestshyponym to ask a question or questionssynonym … Useful english dictionary
how are you placed for something? — spoken phrase used for asking whether someone has enough of something How are you placed for cash? Thesaurus: ways of asking questions and making requestshyponym to ask a question or questionssynonym Main entry … Useful english dictionary
How Are You? — Infobox Album Name = How Are You? Type = Album Artist = NICO Touches the Walls Released = November 21, 2007 Recorded = Genre = J rock Length = 22:49 Label = Ki/oon Records Last album = Runova X Handover (2006) This album = How Are You? (2007)… … Wikipedia
