Don't say "I'm fine, thank you. And you?"

Category: SPEAKING

You probably learned “How are you?” and “I’m fine, thank you. And you?” in textbooks before, but native English speakers answer it in a different way. Unfortunately, replying to this question with “I’m fine” can still be found in many English textbooks. It’s not the natural way to greet someone and actually may be rude or negative.

Here are some other phrases that you can use instead of “I’m fine”
How are you?

• Fine. You?
• Very well, thank you.
• I’m good, thanks. You?
• I’m pretty good. What’s new with you?
• Not bad. You?
• (I'm) alright. You?
• (I) can’t complain. You?
• Never been better. What about you?

Now, let’s look at some different ways to ask how someone is. These ways are much more common.

Hey, how’s it going?

• Good.
• Pretty good.
• Not so good.
• Great.
• Not great.
• Not so well.
• Well, a bit tired/sick/sleepy.

What’s up?

• Not much.
• Nothing much.
• Hey! What’s up?
• Hi!

How do you do? / Howdy? (informal)

• How do you do?
• Hello.
• Nice to meet you.

How are you doing? / How ya doing? (informal)

• I’m doing great, thanks.

• I’m not doing that great.
• Doing pretty good, you?
• Doing well, you?

How have you been? / How’ve you been?

• I’ve been doing great.
• Never been better.
• Could be better.
• Things have been better.
• Not so good lately.
• It’s been tough.
• I’ve been a bit sick.
• A little crazy actually!
• As usual.
• Busy, busy.
• I’ve been busy working.
• Pretty good. Work’s been busy.
• Things have been a bit rough lately, but they’re getting better.