- Here are ten questions to help you start speaking English. Each of these questions help to begin or continue a conversation. The questions are in two categories: Basic Facts and Hobbies / Free Time. There are also a number of questions that can help you continue the conversation after the first question.
- Five Basic Facts
These five questions will help you get to know people. They are simple questions with simple answers and provide information so you can ask more questions. - What is your name?
- Where do you live?
- What do you do?
- Are you married?
- Where are you from?\
More questions for ...
These questions help to continue the conversation after your first question.
"What is your name?"
It's a pleasure to meet you. Where are you from? That's an interesting name. Is it Chinese / French / Indian, etc.?
How long have you lived there? Do you like that neighborhood? Do you live in an apartment or house?
Which company do you work for?How long have you had that job?Do you like your job?What's the best / worst thing about your job?What do you like best / least about your job?
How long have been married?Where did you get married?What does your husband / wife do?Do you have any children?
"Where are you from?"
Where is ....? How long did you live there? What is XYZ like? Do you like living here?
Hobbies / Free Time
These questions will help you continue conversations and find out more about people's likes and dislikes.
What do you like doing in your free time?Can you play tennis / golf / soccer / etc.?What kind of films / food / vacations do you enjoy?What do you do on weekends / Saturdays?
More questions for ...
These questions will help you ask for more detail.
"What do you like doing in your free time?"
How often do you (listen to music, eat out in restaurants, etc.)? Where do you (listen to music, eat out in restaurants, etc.) in this town? Why do you like (listening to music, eating out in restaurants, etc.) so much?
"Can you play tennis / golf / soccer / etc.?"
Do you enjoy playing tennis /golf /soccer /etc.?How long have you played tennis /golf /soccer /etc.?Who do you play tennis /golf /soccer /etc. with?
"What kind of films / food / vacations do you enjoy?"
What's the best place to see /eat / go on vacations? What's the best type of film /food / vacation, etc. in your opinion? How often do you watch films / eat out / go on vacation?
"What do you do on weekends / Saturdays?"
Where do you go to ...? Could you recommend a good place to (go shopping / take my children swimming / etc.)? How long have you done that?
Here are 50 basic English questions with responses. These basic questions are among the most important in English. They provide a base of questions to ask and answer for any conversation. These 50 questions are ideal for beginning English classes and learners. Each question has an appropriate answer or response. They are divided into related categories. Once you understand these questions try the 50 basic English questions quiz.
Personal Information
What's your name? Peter.
Where are you from? / Where do you come from? I'm from ... I come from ...
What's your surname / family name? Smith.
What's your first name? Tom.
What's your address? 7865 NW Sweet Street
Where do you live? I live in San Diego.
What's your (tele)phone number? 209-786-9845
How old are you? Twenty-five. I'm twenty-five years old.
When / Where were you born? I was born in 1961 / Seattle.
Are you married? / What's your marital status? I'm single.
What do you do? / What's your job? I'm a librarian.
Where did you go ?I went to a friend's house.
What did you do? We played video games.
Where were you? I was in New York for the weekend.
Have you got a car / job / house / etc.? Yes, I've got a good job.
Have you got any children / friends / books / etc.? Yes, I've got three children - two boys and a daughter.
Can you play tennis / golf / football / etc.? Yes, I can play golf.
Can you speak English / French / Japanese / etc.? No, I can't speak Japanese.
Could you speak English / French / Japanese / etc.?when you were five / two / fifteen / etc. years old?Yes, I could speak English when I was five years old.
Introducing Yourself / Saying Hello
How do you do?How do you do. Pleased to meet you.
How are you?Fine, thanks. And you?
Shopping
How can I help you? / May I help you?Yes. I'm looking for a sweater.
Can I try it on?Sure, the changing rooms are over there.
How much does it cost? / How much is it?It's $45.
How would you like to pay?By credit card.
Can I pay by credit card / check / debit card?Certainly. We accept all major cards.
Have you got something bigger / smaller / lighter / etc.?Certainly, we've got a smaller sizes as well.
Asking Something Specific
What's that?It's a cat!
What time is it?It's three o'clock.
Can / May I open the window?Certainly. It's hot in here!
Is there a bank / supermarket / pharmacy / etc. near here?Yes. There is a bank on the next corner next to the post office.
Where is the nearest bank / supermarket / pharmacy / etc.?The nearest pharmacy is on 15th street.
Who wrote / invented / painted / etc. the ...?Hemingway wrote "The Sun Also Rises".
Is there any water / sugar / rice / etc.?Yes, there's a lot of sugar left.
Are there any apples / sandwiches / books / etc.?No, there aren't any apples left.
Is this your / his / her / etc. book / ball / house / etc.?No, I think it's his ball.
Whose is this / that?It's Jack's.
Questions with 'Like'
What do you like?I like playing tennis, reading and listening to music.
What does he look like?He's tall and slim.
What would you like?I'd like a steak and chips.
What is it like?It's an interesting country.
What's the weather like?It's raining at the moment.
Would you like some coffee / tea / food?Yes, thank you. I'd like some coffee.
Would you like something to drink / eat?Thank you. Could I have a cup of tea?
Asking for an Opinion
What's it about?It's about a young boy who encounters adventures.
What do you think about your job / that book / Tim / etc.?I thought the book was very interesting.
How big / far / difficult / easy is it?The test was very difficult!
How big / far / difficult / easy are they?The questions were very easy.
How was it?It was very interesting.
What are you going to do tomorrow / this evening / next week / etc.?I'm going to visit some friends next weekend.
Suggestions What shall we do this evening?Let's go see a film.
Why don't we go out / play tennis / visit friends / etc. this evening?Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
Directions I
1. Excuse me. Is there a bank near here?
2. Yes. There's a bank on the corner.
1. Thank you.
2. You're welcome.
Directions II
1. Excuse me. Is there a supermarket near here?
2. Yes. There's one near here.
1. How do I get there?
2. At the traffic lights, take the first left and go straight on. It's on the left.
1. Is it far?
2. Not really.
1. Thank you.
2. Don't mention it.
Key Vocabulary
Is there a _______ near here?on the corner, on the left, on the rightstraight on, straight aheadtraffic lightsIs it far?
