I read in a grammar book that they are different. I wonder how. THANKS.
2007-01-12 18:26:14 · 30 answers · asked by Still Alone 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
"How do you do?" is a greeting usually said when first meeting someone and being introduced to them. It is more formal.
"How are you doing?" is usually a question asked as a follow up. For example, if I know a friend of mine has been sick, when I greeted her I would say, "Hello" or "Good Morning" etc. and after she returned the greeting I would ask, "How are you doing?"
2007-01-12 18:31:47 · answer #1 · answered by boysmom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From a conversation perspective: How do you do is formal. Somewhat outdated. How are you doing is much more common.
From a grammar perspective: How do you do = present simple and is used for speaking about what usually is the case. It means how have you been lately or in the last little while, in general.
How are you doing is in present continuous and so it means how are you right this moment, regardless of yesterday or lately.
2007-01-13 03:55:00 · answer #2 · answered by Jamanian Devil 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would think they are basically saying the same thing, but one is formal ("how do you do?") and the other is colloquial. Also, you're more inclined to expect an answer from the first than you are from the latter. Just my opinion, though!
2007-01-13 02:30:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on where you live. Where I am "How do you do?" is VERY polite, like if I was speaking to an elderly person, "how are you doing" is familiar but down home I'd ask "Whatt'ya at" - What are you at? which would mean what are you doing? how are you doing? is anything new? are you going anywhere?
Look up "Newfie Terms" if you really want to confuse yourself.
2007-01-13 04:01:29 · answer #4 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
:How do you do?" doesn't really require an answer. It's a formal type greeting. "How are you doing?" is a bit more personal and usually used to continue a conversation.
2007-01-13 02:41:33 · answer #5 · answered by lorrainio 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, the question, "how r u doin" is usually said in the case when talking with frnds, i mean it's a casual(in-formal) approach....
but the other question, is more of an formal way of asking ppl.... thu, how do u do, sounds more acceptable
2007-01-13 02:34:08 · answer #6 · answered by bittoosrivastava 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you do is usually more of a greeting not really a question that gets a detailed answer.
How are you doing is more of a regular question to start a conversation.
2007-01-13 02:31:05 · answer #7 · answered by QandA 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How are you doing?- is a question seeking an answer. How do you do is a greeting? (may not even require the question mark at the end) - which can be answered in similar fashion - "How do you do".
2007-01-13 03:26:09 · answer #8 · answered by Kool-kat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How are you doing? is more casual. It is more of an everyday expression. How do you do? sounds more British and thus more formal. Booth greetings are basically the same though.
2007-01-13 02:30:43 · answer #9 · answered by Future Citizen of Forvik 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How do you do? ...is much more formal and polite..and generally isn't really asking a question---it's more like 'it's a pleasure to meet you"
How are you doing?---used more casually -amongst friends--and can really mean 'how are you?'
2007-01-13 03:25:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋