There are two greetings that always confuse my students.

The funny thing is, these phrases are used all the time by English speakers. I would even say that these phrases are the most common greetings we use in the UK.

Problem is, in English classes learners aren’t always taught these popular greetings.

Whaaat?! It sounds crazy, I know, but it’s true.

Learners read and practise ‘textbook English’ and we all know this can sound quite unnatural and is the reason why new learners sometimes sound like robots.

So, this is my attempt to help you sound more natural.

By the way. If you would like to improve your English and understand real native speaking. Join me for some coaching sessions in the virtual classroom.

Start your journey today by clicking CONTACT in the menu above. Send me a message. Let’s get the ball rolling!

Now, those greetings…

Let’s start with greeting 1 

“How’s it going?”

Tip: People NEVER say this in its long-form – “How is it going?”

Tip: It sounds more like this – How-zit going?

Question: What does it mean?

Answer: How are you?

Question: How do I reply?

Answer: “Good thanks”, “Good”, or “Fine thanks”.

 

Greeting 2 

“What’ve you been up to?”

Tip: People rarely say it in its long-form – “What have you been up to?”

Tip: It sounds more like this – Wha tav you been up to?

Question: What does it mean?

Answer: “What have you done recently?”

Question: How do I reply?

Answer: You can use the present perfect tense, which is the same tense the question is asked in.

“I have + Past participle verb.”

E.g. “I have changed jobs”, “I have been to the movies”or “I have moved house.”

Or you can use the past simple tense.

E.g. “I went to the cinema yesterday”, “I tried a new restaurant last weekend” or “I booked my holiday to Spain this morning.”