Liza
"What are you up to now?"
On some forum I read the following comment:
"This suggests you are asking what someone is doing and you are a bit surprised and amused when you ask the question. The idea behind the question is that you think the person is always doing unusual things and you want to know what is the latest unusual thing they are doing."
Is that really so?
For example, if I call to my friend and just want to know whether he's busy or not at the moment, if I'm neither surprised nor amused, can I ask this question, or it'd sound odd? Thx)
2011년 7월 14일 오전 8:12
답변 · 9
2
"What are you up to now?" is ok, but it can imply that the person is "up to something" which in turn may imply that it is not good and then that person might get offended.
People usually say, What's new? What are you doing now? How's things?
2011년 7월 14일
1
Lisa,
What are you up to now?
This is an informal expression that you would only use with friends. You would never inquire into someone's personal business in this way on a professional level. Think about what you are asking. You want to know what the person is occupied with at this very moment, either out of curiousity or because you would like them to do something else.
It can have the simple meaning of "What are you doing now?"
In that case the intonation pattern would be approximately: WHAT r u UP to NOW.?
If you change the pattern: WHAT r u *UP TO NOW?...the question becomes even more personal, perhaps sarcastic, and might imply disapproval.
Intonation is very important to native speakers.
2011년 7월 14일
If he is your freind you need not think of his being offence
If he isnt your freind as usual you assk him professional
2011년 7월 14일
yes you can ask that person this Question for sure in fact this is correct. and no need to hesitate.
2011년 7월 14일
When someone is busy (genrrally with a bad work),we say: what are you up to now?
2011년 7월 14일
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