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PASTEL Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
How are you?
How are you? Ni hou ma? Comment allez vous? Wie geht es Ihnen?
They are Lesson One universally when speaking of foreign language learning. I've been long convinced that saying how are you with a falling intonation is the correct way. But sometimes I hear people say it with a rising intonation. I'd like to know what kind of occasion you will rise the intonation at the end.
Thanks,
Pastel
They are Lesson One universally when speaking of foreign language learning. I've been long convinced that saying how are you with a falling intonation is the correct way. But sometimes I hear people say it with a rising intonation. I'd like to know what kind of occasion you will rise the intonation at the end.
Thanks,
Pastel
Top answer
Hello Pastel, Yes, I know what you mean. If the speaker dwells on the 'you', it has an air of 'this isn't simply a standard enquiry; I'm actually genuinely interested in how you are. e.
- Hello Pastel, Yes, I know what you mean.
- If the speaker dwells on the 'you', it has an air of 'this isn't simply a standard enquiry; I'm actually genuinely interested in how you are.
- e.
- 'I am not inviting a full response.
- ') See you, MrP
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5 Answers
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Hello Pastel,
Yes, I know what you mean.
If the speaker dwells on the 'you', it has an air of 'this isn't simply a standard enquiry; I'm actually genuinely interested in how you are. So, how are you???'
Or if it's in a brisk, clipped tone, with no special emphasis on the 'you', apart from the rising intonation, it's probably meant to be 'business-like', i.e. 'I
Yes, I know what you mean.
If the speaker dwells on the 'you', it has an air of 'this isn't simply a standard enquiry; I'm actually genuinely interested in how you are. So, how are you???'
Or if it's in a brisk, clipped tone, with no special emphasis on the 'you', apart from the rising intonation, it's probably meant to be 'business-like', i.e. 'I
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Also, couldn't "how are you?" be intrepreted as putting emphasis on the the subject? E.g. "I feel great today, but how are you?"
I'd be more inclined to interpret the sentence as a genuine interest in my well-being if the intonation was placed upon the word 'are', as follows: "How are you?".
-Nyarlathotep
I'd be more inclined to interpret the sentence as a genuine interest in my well-being if the intonation was placed upon the word 'are', as follows: "How are you?".
-Nyarlathotep
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Again, it depends on what you mean. Any of the following sentences are acceptable:
1) "How are you doing?" - General enquiry.
2) "How are you doing?" - Emphasis on who you're referring to.
3) "How are you doing?" - Very exaggerated.
-Nyarlathotep
1) "How are you doing?" - General enquiry.
2) "How are you doing?" - Emphasis on who you're referring to.
3) "How are you doing?" - Very exaggerated.
-Nyarlathotep
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