How to talk about your day in English
This morning I had a meeting.
“I had a meeting this morning.”
When: When someone asks how your day is going
The moment
You are in the break room at your office in Manhattan and a coworker asks how your day is going. Tell them what you did this morning, ask about their day, and keep the chat friendly.
A1 · Unit 4 · People
The lines
Saying what you did
To talk about this morning, say 'This morning I' and then the action: 'This morning I worked from home.' Change the end: 'went to the gym', 'had a meeting', 'took the subway'. Short and simple is fine.
This morning I had a meeting.
“I had a meeting this morning.”
When to use it: When someone asks how your day is going
What you’ll hear back: Oh yeah? How did it go? (Really? Was it good?)
Asking back
After you answer, ask the same question back. Americans say 'How about you?' or 'How's your day going?' It shows you care and keeps the chat alive.
How's your day going?
“Is your day going well?”
When to use it: Right after you tell them about your day
What you’ll hear back: Pretty good, just busy. (Good, but I have a lot to do.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Pretty good, thanks! | PRIH-dee GOOD, THANKS | I am fine. Thank you. |
Hey, how's it going? Pretty good, thanks! Hello, how are you? I am fine, thank you. Tip: 'How's it going?' is a greeting; answer short and positive. | ||
| Oh, that's nice! | OH, thats NAIS | I am happy to hear that. |
I went to Central Park this morning. Oh, that's nice! I visited Central Park today. I am happy for you. Tip: Americans react with energy; a flat 'okay' can sound bored. | ||
| It's been a busy day. | its bin uh BIH-zee DAY | I had a lot of work today. |
It's been a busy day, but I'm okay. I had a lot to do today, but I am fine. Tip: Saying you're busy is normal small talk, not a complaint. | ||
Your objective
Tell them two things you did today, then ask how their day is going.
- one thing you did
- a second thing you did
- a question about their day
Lines that get it done
- This morning I had a meeting.
- It's been a busy day. · I had a lot of work today.
- How's your day going?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. Your coworker asks about your morning. You went to the gym. What do you say?
- This morning I went to the gym.
- This morning I go to the gym tomorrow.
- This morning I going to the gym.
- Tomorrow morning I went to the gym.
Show the answer
This morning I went to the gym.
'This morning I went...' tells someone what you already did today.
2. You just told a coworker about your day. How do you ask about theirs?
- How's your day going?
- Where are you from?
- What time is it?
- How old are you?
Show the answer
How's your day going?
'How's your day going?' asks the same question back and keeps the chat going.
3. A coworker says, 'How's it going?' as she walks past. What is the best answer?
- Pretty good, thanks!
- Let me tell you everything about my morning.
- It's going at three o'clock.
- No, thank you.
Show the answer
Pretty good, thanks!
'How's it going?' is mostly a greeting, so a short, happy answer is perfect.