Have you ever heard someone ask, "What are you up to?" in an English conversation? It's a phrase we hear a lot, but what exactly does it mean?
In this article, we will explore the meaning and usage of "What are you up to". You'll be surprised how flexible this expression is and how often it is used in everyday conversation. Let's see the explanation!
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The meaning of “What are you up to?”
"What are you up to?" is a common English phrase often used in casual conversations. It’s a way of asking what someone is doing, but in everyday context, it can have a broader meaning.
Let's look at the example conversation below.
Adam: “Hey, Mia, how are you doing?”
Mia: “I’m fine, Adam. Thanks for asking.”
Adam: “So, what are you up to this weekend?”
Mia: “Oh, I’m just hanging out at home, watching movies.”
In the conversation, Adam asks "So, what are you up to this weekend?" It shows that Adam is looking to find out Mia's plans this weekend.
At the beginning of the conversation Adam also asked, "How are you doing?". It turns out that this phrase actually has similar meaning as "What are you up to."
All in all, this question has a wide range of flexible expressions depending on the situation and your relationship with the person asking. Let's learn more about it!
Synonyms of “What are you up to?”
In addition, "What are you up to" can also be used to greet, find out someone’s plan, ask how you are doing, and show interest. After this, we'll discuss the equivalents of "What are you up to" that you can use:
"How are you doing"
People commonly use this expression to check in on how things are going. Here’s an example conversation to show you how."
Sam: “Maria, how are you doing?”
Maria: “Great! I just bought a book on my wishlist.”
Sam: “So that's why you look happy today.”
"What are you doing"
Use this expression to ask about the specific things someone is doing at the moment. Here’s how it might sound in a typical conversation:
Vega: “What are you doing, Romy?”
Romy: “Nothing much. Just checking my to-do list.”
Vega: “Wow, almost everything is checked!”
"What's going on?"
This question is handy for getting a sense of the overall situation. Here’s an example:
Wilson: “You look confused, what’s going on, Ray?”
Ray: “Oh, I was just thinking about next month's vacation.”
Wilson: “Wow, that sounds fun!”
"What have you been up to?"
You can use this question with friends or family to find out what they’ve been doing after a while apart. Check out the example below.:
Ann: “Emma, It’s good to see you! What have you been up to?”
Emma: “Hi, I’m fine, still busy doing my job. How about you? What have you been up to?”
Ann: “So do I. My first child just moved out of town last month.”
How to respond to “What are you up to?”
There are plenty of ways to answer this question, but for now, we'll break them down into two types: formal responses and casual ones.
Formal answers
You can use formal answers when you want to sound professional—like during a conversation with your boss. They will leave a polite and respectful impression on the other person.
An example answer for this type is:
- “I am currently working on a project.”
- “Thank you for asking, I am doing well.”
- “I am keeping myself busy with various tasks.”
Casual answers
Casual answers are perfect for informal conversations, like when you're chatting with close friends, neighbors, or family. You can even use them to suggest fun plans by responding with a question.
An example answer for this type is:
- “Not much, just chilling at home.”
- “I’m hanging out with my friends.”
- “I was thinking of playing badminton. Want to join?”
Also read: 50 Ways to Say “I Love You” in English
Conclusion
"What are you up to?" is one of the most common and versatile expressions in the English language.
By understanding its meaning, you will be more confident in communicating in English.
Want to learn more about other English expressions? Visit EZClass blog for more interesting articles. Don't forget to share this article with your friends who are learning English!
