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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > What are you?
What are you?
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Baadache
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What are you?
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Hi, I want just to confirm sth. Does it exist the question: 1) What is he? He is a student. 2) What �s your mother? She is a teacher. Thank you |
8 Nov 2018
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redcamarocruiser
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No, although understandable, that is not correct. To inquire about someone �s profession we ask, "What does he do?" "What does his mother do?" |
8 Nov 2018
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Baadache
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But does the question :What are you? exists! |
8 Nov 2018
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redcamarocruiser
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Again, the normal way to inquire about a person�s profession is �What do you do?� not �what are you�.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=91HcTWmcvfk Jenniferesl explains at 3:18 in the video that "although grammatically correct, these questions don�t sound polite or natural" (What are you? and What is your job?)
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8 Nov 2018
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yanogator
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Yes, the question "What are you?" exists, but it would be considered rude, because it implies that the person is not human. Bruce |
8 Nov 2018
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redcamarocruiser
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I agree with Bruce. �What� is used for objects/things. At Halloween when trick or treaters come to your door dressed in costume, it is OK to ask them, "What are you?" And they will proudly tell you, "I �m a fairy, cowboy, etc..."
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8 Nov 2018
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Baadache
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Thank you friends SO MUCH for making such a point clear to me. |
12 Nov 2018
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