Learn the question What do you do? in English and how to answer it
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| In each lesson of this 25-part series, you'll encounter a common question that English learners come across, and then learn how to answer like a native speaker. You'll learn how these key phrases works by breaking them down into each component. Then, through repetition and new vocabulary, you'll expand your understanding of the question, its answers, and any variations. | |
| In this lesson, you'll learn how to respond to the common question “What do you do?” | |
| Eric: What do you do? | |
| Becky: The first word in the question is... | |
| Eric: what | |
| Becky: This is a question word used to ask for more information. | |
| Eric: (Slow, by syllable) what | |
| Becky: Listen again and repeat. | |
| Eric: what | |
| {Pause} | |
| Becky: This pattern of first introducing a word at natural speed, providing the translation, breaking it down, and then giving it again at natural speed will be repeated throughout the series. Try to speak aloud as often as possible. The next word in the question is | |
| Eric: do | |
| Becky: meaning “to perform the action of.” | |
| Eric: (Slow, by syllable) do | |
| Becky: Now repeat. | |
| Eric: do | |
| {Pause} | |
| Becky: Listen to the first two words of the question and then repeat. | |
| Eric: what do | |
| {pause} | |
| Becky: And after that is | |
| Eric: you | |
| Becky: “the person you're talking to” | |
| Eric: (Slow, by syllable) you | |
| Becky: Now repeat. | |
| Eric: you | |
| {Pause} | |
| Becky: Listen to the first three words of the question and then repeat. | |
| Eric: what do you | |
| {pause} | |
| Becky: And after that is | |
| Eric: do | |
| Becky: It means “to perform the action of” | |
| Eric: (Slow, by syllable) do | |
| Becky: Now repeat. | |
| Eric: do | |
| {Pause} | |
| Becky: Now listen to the entire question and repeat. | |
| Eric: What do you do? | |
| {pause} | |
| Becky: You will hear this common question again and again throughout your studies. Master the following pattern and responses to the question “What do you do?” | |
| Eric: I am a teacher. | |
| Becky: "I am a teacher.” Listen as the phrase is repeated slowly. Repeat the phrase. | |
| Eric: (Slow) I am a teacher. | |
| {pause} | |
| Becky: Let's break it down from the beginning. The first word is | |
| Eric: I | |
| Becky: This is the singular pronoun used by the person speaking. | |
| Eric: (Slow, by syllable) I | |
| Becky: Now repeat. | |
| Eric: I | |
| {Pause} | |
| Becky: And after that, | |
| Eric: am | |
| Becky: meaning “to exist.” | |
| Eric: (Slow, by syllable) am | |
| Becky: Now repeat. | |
| Eric: am | |
| {Pause} | |
| Becky: And after that is | |
| Eric: a | |
| Becky: the indefinite article | |
| Eric: (Slow, by syllable) a | |
| Becky:Now repeat. | |
| Eric: a | |
| {pause} | |
| Becky: And after that is | |
| Eric: teacher | |
| Becky: "Teacher, someone who teaches” | |
| Eric: (Slow, by syllable) teacher | |
| Becky: Now repeat. | |
| Eric: teacher | |
| {Pause}Becky: Listen to the speaker say “I am a teacher” and then repeat. | |
| Eric: I am a teacher. | |
| {pause}Becky: To expand on the pattern, let’s replace “teacher” with “lawyer.” | |
| Eric: lawyer | |
| Becky: “lawyer,” a person who assists others in law matters | |
| Eric: (slow) lawyer (regular) lawyer | |
| Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “lawyer.” | |
| Eric: I am a lawyer. | |
| Becky: Other than replacing “teacher” with “lawyer,” the phrase stayed the same. Now say, “I am a lawyer.” | |
| {pause} | |
| Eric: I am a lawyer. | |
| Becky: To expand on the pattern, replace “lawyer” with “programmer.” | |
| Eric: programmer | |
| Becky: “programmer,” a person who creates computer programs. | |
| Eric: (slow) programmer (regular) programmer | |
| Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “programmer.” | |
| Eric: I am a programmer. | |
| Becky: Again, it mostly stays the same; just replace “lawyer” with “programmer.” Say “I am a programmer.” | |
| {pause} | |
| Eric: I am a programmer. | |
| Becky: For more practice, let’s replace “programmer” with “office worker.” | |
| Eric: office worker | |
| Becky: “office worker,” a person who works at an office | |
| Eric: (slow) office worker (regular) office worker | |
| Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “office worker.” | |
| Eric: I am an office worker. | |
| Becky: Here we simply replaced “programmer” with “office worker.” Now say, “I am an office worker.” | |
| {pause} | |
| Eric: I am an office worker. | |
| Becky: Now it's time for a quiz. Imagine you’re visiting the United States and someone asks what you do. You’re a teacher. Respond to the question. | |
| Eric: What do you do? (five seconds) I am a teacher. | |
| Becky: Imagine you’re a lawyer. How would you respond? | |
| Eric: What do you do? (five seconds) I am a lawyer. | |
| Becky: Imagine you’re a programmer. Answer the speaker's question. | |
| Eric: What do you do? (five seconds) I am a programmer. | |
| Becky: Imagine you're an office worker. How will you answer? | |
| Eric: What do you do? (five seconds) I am an office worker. | |
| Becky: You want to learn what that person does. Ask the question. | |
| (5 seconds) | |
| Eric: What do you do? | |
| {pause} | |
| Becky: Now it's time to answer the question with actual information about yourself. Make sure to practice out loud. | |
| Eric: What do you do? | |
| Becky: This is the end of Lesson 4. |
147 Comments
HideLeave us your answer in a comment
Hi there Hla Thandar Win,
Thanks again for writing to us.
We are constantly updating the lessons on our site so please stay tuned! 👍
Please let us know if you have any questions throughout your studies.
Cheers,
Éva
Team EnglishClass101.com
What do you do?
I'm a office worker.
Hello Egy,
Thanks for writing to us.
If you ever have any questions, please let us know. 😄❤️️😄
Cheers,
Eva
Team EnglishClass101.com
What do you do? I am a civil servant
Hello Claudinei,
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself and welcome on board!
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Kindly,
Eva
Team EnglishClass101.com
What do you do?
I'm a system Analyst in a Telecom Company.
Hi there Jamila,
I hope we can help you to achieve your English language goals!! 😄😄
Feel free to shoot through any questions you have throughout your studies.
Cheers,
Éva
Team EnglishClass101.com
Hi what do you do?I am police officer
Hi there Lex,
I wish you all the best for your English studies.
If you ever have any questions regarding your studies, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Éva
Team EnglishClass101.com
What do you do?
I am an engineer
I dont undertands some english language rules. I am going to go ahead