I'm learning English. My English teacher taught me that "what are you doing?" had the same meaning as "what is being done by you?" ( sentences rewriting exercise ). Is it popular??? I think "what is being done by you?" is really weird, right :D??? I am not sure, because I don't speak English. So please, help me with this problem. Thank you so much!!!
2007-03-22 03:49:38 · 8 answers · asked by gem 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
You are correct. "What are you doing?" is commonly used. Your teacher is merely trying to give you another way of expressing it--but, please, never say "what is being done by you."
2007-03-22 03:55:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"What are you doing?" is common English.
Your teacher is using the second sentence to deomonstrate the who and what of the sentence. "What is being done by you?" would not be popular or common English.
Another example would be
"What are you wearing?" is common English, while
"What is being worn by you?" is not.
However, they both have the same meaning.
Good luck! I've heard English is the hardest language to learn and I'd have to agree. We do have quite a few rules that do not make sense and a lot of words that have the same meaning. We also have a lot of words that are spelled the same, but have different meanings. Many people who speak English as a first language do not speak the language well. That makes it even harder to learn what is correct. Again, good luck to you!
2007-03-22 04:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by ldlivengood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What are you doing? Is more commonly used. Anyway, your teacher is teaching you another way to express the same thing using the passive voice. Sometimes, for example in a formal letter, you might want to use this form instead of the active voice. I think it's good that you learn alternative ways of expressing yourself, and eventually you'll figure out when to use them.
check: http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/activepassive.html
2007-03-22 04:08:00 · answer #3 · answered by Cali 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not an English expert but "What is being done by you?" sounds like there should usually be more to it. It SOUNDS as if it is more equivalent to "What are you doing about....?" because to say that would probably solicit the question "About what?".
2007-03-22 07:22:32 · answer #4 · answered by KennyBizzle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe that anyone would say "What is being done by you?" as a question. "What are you doing?" is common (popular) English.
2007-03-22 04:04:08 · answer #5 · answered by Ernie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i would never say what is being done by you b/c it sounds retarded so just stick with what are you doing
2007-03-22 03:57:58 · answer #6 · answered by Patrick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HI
No if you are looking for cool phrases. What are you doing is better and correct.
Lammy
2007-03-22 03:52:19 · answer #7 · answered by Clammy S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no one would say that in conversation, although it is grammatically correct.
2007-03-22 07:22:09 · answer #8 · answered by cmm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋