182 English Questions & Answers For Amazing English Conversations

What are some of the most common questions English speakers ask in conversations? And what are some typical answers to common English questions?

You’re about to find out in this post about English questions and answers. Enjoy!

Basic Questions In English

Here are some simple English questions you can ask with suggested answers.

1. What’s your name?

• My name’s Olly.
• I'm Cara, nice to meet you!
• My name is Susan, but you can call me Susy.
• It's Fabio. And yours?
• My name’s Andrea, but people usually call me Andy.

2. Where are you from?

• I'm from London. And you?
• I was born in Italy, but I live in Australia now.
• I was born and raised in San Diego, but I've been here in New York for a while. What about you?
• I come from Spain.
• I'm a native of France.

3. What do you do?

• I work as a French teacher.
• I'm a content writer at StoryLearning.
• I'm currently studying Applied Linguistics.
• I'm a freelance photographer in the tertiary sector. And you?
• I run my own business in the food industry.
• I’m unemployed at the moment.

4. How was your day?

• Pretty good, thanks!
• A bit hectic, but good overall. And yours?
• Quite relaxing, actually. 
• Not too bad, just the usual stuff.
• Productive and busy! 
• Same old same old.

English Questions About Preferences

5. What’s your favourite food?

• I love pizza. I could eat it every day!
• Sushi is my favourite.
• I enjoy a good pasta dish.
• I'm a big fan of Thai food.
• Anything with chocolate is my weakness.

6. What’s your favourite season?

• I love summer because of the warm weather.
• Winter is my favourite. I love snow!
• I'm a fan of autumn. The colours are so beautiful.
• Spring, because everything is blooming.
• I like all seasons, each has its charm. But if I had to pick one, I’d pick summer.

7. What's your favourite movie?

• Braveheart. I’ve watched it 50 times and could watch it now.
• I love anything directed by James Cameron.
• I'm a big fan of horror movies. My favourite is The Shining.
• I don't have one favourite, but I like all movies with Leonardo Di Caprio.
• I enjoy classic films, especially from the 80s.

8. Do you like cooking?

• Yes, I love cooking! It's my passion.
• I'm okay at it and I enjoy trying new recipes.
• Not really, I prefer eating out. My partner usually cooks in our household.
• I like it, but only when I have time. So … I don’t like it, haha!
• I'm not great at it, but I'm learning. You?

English Conversation Questions

Use these English questions to find out more about another person and really make the conversation flow.

9. Do you have any hobbies?

• I love reading and painting. What about you?
• I'm into hiking and outdoor activities.
• I enjoy cooking new recipes.
• I'm passionate about photography.
• I spend a lot of time gardening.

10. What’s the weather like where you are now?

• It's sunny and warm today. Can’t complain really. What about there?
• Quite rainy, unfortunately.
• It's a bit chilly but nice.
• Cloudy, but no rain yet.
• Hot and humid!
• It looks like it’s going to rain soon.

11. Do you speak any other languages?

• Yes, I speak Spanish fluently.
• I know a little bit of French, but not enough to have a proper conversation.
• I'm currently learning Japanese.
• No, just English for now. Maybe one day I’ll learn Spanish.
• I can understand Italian, but I don’t speak it well.

12. What have you been up to?

• I’ve been busy studying for my uni exams.
• Not much. Working, taking care of the kids … same old life.
• I’ve been working on a work project that’s taking up all of my free time. And you? 
• Just trying to stay active and healthy.
• I've been catching up on some reading and finally got around to watching that series everyone’s been talking about.

Want more English speaking questions? Check out this list of conversational English topics.

English Questions About Travel And Transport

13. How was your holiday?

• It was fantastic, I had a great time!
• Quite relaxing, just what I needed.
• Very busy, but I enjoyed it.
• I spent it with family. It was nice.
• Terrible! I first lost my passport, then my flight, and then my mind!

14. Have you travelled anywhere recently?

• Yes, I just came back from Fijj! It was amazing!
• Not recently, but I have plans to visit India next year.
• No, unfortunately I haven’t. And you?
• I went to Scotland a few months ago. I loved it!
• I travel often for work, but not for leisure lately.

15. Have you ever been to Italy?

• Yes, I visited Venice last year. You?
• No, but I would love to go someday.
• I haven't, but I've heard great things.
• Not yet, but it's on my bucket list.
• I haven’t. Have you?

16. How long does it take you to get to work?

• I take the bus to work and it takes me about half an hour.
• I drive my car.
• I usually walk to my office. 10 minutes max.
• It’s a 45-minute train commute into Milan.
• I work from home, so no commute.
• I only have a short commute to work.

17. Excuse me, where’s the station?

• The station is just down this road, about a 5-minute walk straight ahead.
• It's two blocks away – head straight and take the second left. You'll see it on your right.
• See that building over there? That’s the station. 
• Keep going straight, and when you reach the traffic lights, turn right. The station will be right there. You can’t miss it.
• Sorry, I’m not from here. I can’t help you.

English Questions About Family & Pets

18. What is your husband/wife like?

• She is very friendly and kind.
• He is a bit reserved but very smart.
• She's quite outgoing and loves to chat.
• He's funny and always makes people laugh.
• She's a bit quiet, but very thoughtful.

19. Are you married?

• Yes, I’ve been married for 23 years.
• Married? No! Who needs to be?!
• No, I'm single.
• I'm in a relationship.
• I was. I'm divorced now. Happily divorced.
• I'm engaged, actually!

20. Do you have any pets?

• Yes, I have a dog named Sammy.
• No, I don't have any but would love to have one. And you?
• I have a cat. And  You?
• I used to have a pet, but not anymore.
• I'm thinking about getting a dog soon.

English Questions About Free Time

21. What do you like to do in your free time?

• I like to read books and watch movies.
• I enjoy playing sports, especially soccer.
• Sitting on the couch and doing nothing – haha!
• I usually spend time with friends and family.
• I like to learn new skills, like cooking or a new language.

22. How was your weekend?

• It was really nice, thank you!
• Quite busy, but fun.
• I had a very relaxing weekend. I went to the spa.
• I spent it catching up on some work. 
• I went out of town, and it was great!

23. How do you usually spend your evenings?

• I usually relax and watch TV.
• I like to go for a walk or exercise.
• I often read or work on a hobby.
• I cook dinner and enjoy a quiet evening.
• Sometimes I meet up with friends.

24. What are you doing this weekend?

• I'm planning to visit some friends. And you?
• Probably just relaxing at home.
• I might go hiking if the weather is nice.
• I'm attending a family event.
• Not sure yet, still deciding.

English Questions To Ask People How They Are

25. How are you?

• I'm good, thank you! How about you?
• I'm doing well, thanks for asking!
• Not bad, just busy with work.
• Could be better, but I'm okay. You?
• I'm feeling great today!

26. What’s up?

• Not much- How about you?
• Nothing special. Just chilling. 
• I’ve been busy with a few university projects, but I’m good! What’s up with you?
• I’m tired. Can’t wait to go on holiday, bro.

Check out my post on English slang words if you want to learn more slang expressions like “what's up?”.

27. Are you alright?

• Yeah, I’m good, just a bit tired. 
• I’m alright, just dealing with a lot right now. You? Everything okay?
• I’m fine, thanks. You?
• Could be better, but also could be worse.
• I’m okay, just going through some stuff, but I’ll manage.

28. What’s wrong?

• Nothing. Just feeling a bit tired today.
• I'm a bit stressed with work. But that’s not a biggie (=a big problem).
• Nothing much, just a rough day. How are you?
• I'm feeling a bit under the weather. It must have been the aircon.
• Not sure, just not feeling my best today. And you?

English Questions About Books And Reading

29. How often do you read?

• I try to read a little every day, even if it’s just a few pages before bed.
• I read pretty often! Usually a few books a month, depending on how busy I am.
• Not as often as I’d like! I aim for at least one book a month.
• I go through phases. Sometimes I read a lot, and other times, not at all. It really depends on my mood and how busy I am.

30. Do you have any book recommendations for learners of English like me?

• Sure! Short Stories in English for Intermediate Learners by Olly Richards.
• Sure! Short Stories in English for Beginners by Olly Richards.
• Sure! 101 Conversations in Simple English by Olly Richards.
• Sure! 101 Conversations in Intermediate English by Olly Richards.

FAQs About English Questions

Practise English Questions And Answers By Reading Books

There are so many other English questions people ask. It would be impossible to list them all in a blog post.

So here’s what you can do to learn more: pay close attention to how people interact and what questions they ask. You don’t need to spy on people in the streets or shops though.

You can listen to stories and read books in English because they contain plenty of English questions and answers that will help you become a better conversationalist yourself! 

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.