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Ask for help > What is she like? Can this question be used for physical descriptions?
What is she like? Can this question be used for physical descriptions?
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yolprica
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What is she like? Can this question be used for physical descriptions?
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I have always taught that this question is used to describe somebody �s character. For example when the answer is: "she is intelligent, shy and hardworking". But for physical descriptions, I have always taught that the question is : What does she look like?. (I ask this question because I have seen a worksheet in today �s contributions whose title is this and it refers to physical appearance)
What do you think about this?
Thanks in advance for your help
Yolanda |
11 Nov 2010
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magneto
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I also think it can only be used to ask about somebody �s personality (I �ve also found this on the web), but maybe a native speaker has a different opinion?
Looking forward to some native speakers � answers!
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11 Nov 2010
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ueslteacher
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I think not. What does she look like? is the correct version. But I guess the native speakers know better... Sophia PS 2 magneto: again  |
11 Nov 2010
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magneto
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Again, Sophia? Looks like you �re my Ukrainian alter ego
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11 Nov 2010
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SueThom
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If someone asks me "What is she like?", I �m probably going to describe the person �s character, abilities, personality, etc. I might toss "tall" or "pretty" or something similar into the mix, but that �s not going to be the focus of my description.
I �m trying to think when a physical description might answer that question. Hmmm. Maybe if you were asking me about her as an athlete, then I might say something about her being being tall and agile or short and quick or maybe long-limbed so she has a great (tennis) serve or handles hurdles well.
Perhaps if you were asking me about a beauty pageant contestant--comparing one with the rest of the contestants--I might say she is dark-haired and blue-eyed, but would still probably include that she is quite or bubbly or something else about her personality.
Those are the only scenarios I can come up with at the moment in which I �d respond to the question with any physical descriptors.
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11 Nov 2010
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GIOVANNI
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I would answer by describing the person �s personality or character. Like Sue, I might add a word about her physical description, such as she is beautifull, but the main focus would be on the personality and character.
I would say she is easygoing, hardworking, and a little bit shy. |
12 Nov 2010
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ballycastle1
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I think it rather depends on the context as Sue has said.
A: �We �ve got a new boss at work. �
B : �Oh. What �s he like? �
A: �He seems Ok but he �s quite strict about our time-keeping. �
However,
A: �My brother �s new girlfriend is really beautiful. �
B: �Really? What �s she like? �
A: She �s got long, brown hair, legs that go on for ever and a lovely figure. � |
12 Nov 2010
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