![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Did you see ?Ĭommon ground is always a great place to start a conversation-especially in an expansive professional setting where you may not have much in common with everyone. Used correctly, it could help you make a good impression or even kick off a constructive, collaborative working relationship. When emailing someone in a professional setting, the way you ask how they are is especially important. 5 alternatives to “How are you?” in an email Why it works: It matches the tone of your friendship, keeping things friendly and light. Situation: DMing a close friend who shares your offbeat sense of humor. Why it works: It shows that you care about them as a person, even if that doesn’t lead to an in-depth conversation about their life. Situation: Chatting with a friendly neighbor you talk to occasionally. Why it works: It’s polite, shows interest in their general well-being, and gets to the point (there’s a lot you don’t know, and you want the highlights). Situation: Running into an old friend you went to high school with at your ten-year reunion. Here are a few more examples of how to use “How are you?” and its alternatives in conversation: You might message, “How are you doing today?” This speaks directly to what you want to know, and it shows them that you understand that things may shift daily, while leaving it up to them about how detailed they want to get in their response.Ĭonversely, if you’re emailing or messaging your manager who just got back from parental leave, something slightly more formal and targeted might make more sense, like “How are you doing with the new baby?” That way you show interest in their major life event while keeping things professional. Let’s say you’re texting a loved one with a chronic health condition. What information you want to know (for example, do you see it as a passing conversation, or do you want a more in-depth dialogue with specific details?).Context of the conversation (how long it’s been since you saw them, what you last spoke about, etc.).General relationship (friend, family member, colleague, acquaintance, etc.).Level of familiarity with the person you’re addressing (this dictates how familiar or formal you should be with them).When is it appropriate to use variations of “How are you?”īeyond tone, there are a few factors you should consider when picking the appropriate way to ask “How are you?” For instance: So it pays to know when they work, but especially when they don’t. And using the wrong phrase could come off as awkward-or even insensitive in extreme circumstances. What have you been up to since we last talked? You’re looking for an overview of what a person has done since your last conversation, and it could be about a problem they were dealing with at the time.Įach of these conveys a different tone, and the results can vary. It conveys happiness or excitement about your reunion. It’s been a while! This is a casual acknowledgment of a lengthy absence. What’s new with you? You want to know what changes have occurred in a person’s life, typically focusing on the positives. Would you like to talk about X? This is an empathetic inquiry about a potentially sensitive event or aspect of a person’s life-with the built-in option for them to decline. What’s up? This is essentially a casual hello. You’re asking how a person’s life has been lately, in a more general sense. In England, for example, this simply means “How are you?” while Americans may use this phrase to check if someone requires assistance. How are you doing? This is a direct inquiry about how a person is feeling in general.Īre you OK? The meaning of this phrase depends on the context. How are you? This is polite, but it’s not necessarily a serious inquiry about the other person’s well-being. There are many ways to ask this fundamental question, but how you phrase it can imply different things. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly 9 ways to ask “How are you?” ![]()
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