Question: “Are you hungry?” Answer: “I feel like eating.”












1















I read a conversation book in which the answer for the question "Are you hungry?" was: "I feel like eating."



My question if this phrase of "feeling like" when talking about a normal situation in which a person is hungry, this common is in usage or weird, because I never heard it in such context in the past before I came across these phrases in the mentioned book.






idiomatic-language word-in-context







share|improve this question





























    1















    I read a conversation book in which the answer for the question "Are you hungry?" was: "I feel like eating."



    My question if this phrase of "feeling like" when talking about a normal situation in which a person is hungry, this common is in usage or weird, because I never heard it in such context in the past before I came across these phrases in the mentioned book.






    idiomatic-language word-in-context







    share|improve this question



























      1












      1








      1








      I read a conversation book in which the answer for the question "Are you hungry?" was: "I feel like eating."



      My question if this phrase of "feeling like" when talking about a normal situation in which a person is hungry, this common is in usage or weird, because I never heard it in such context in the past before I came across these phrases in the mentioned book.






      idiomatic-language word-in-context







      share|improve this question
















      I read a conversation book in which the answer for the question "Are you hungry?" was: "I feel like eating."



      My question if this phrase of "feeling like" when talking about a normal situation in which a person is hungry, this common is in usage or weird, because I never heard it in such context in the past before I came across these phrases in the mentioned book.






      idiomatic-language word-in-context




      idiomatic-language word-in-context






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 1 hour ago







      Witty loquacity

















      asked 2 hours ago









      Witty loquacityWitty loquacity

      11.7k64190340




      11.7k64190340






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          2














          It is not a direct answer to the question asked. Literally, it does not answer the question at all: for example, someone might prefer to eat rather than to continue an awkward conversation.



          It is a fact, however, that people do answer questions indirectly.




          Do you want to go to the movies?



          Let's go see the re-run of Flash Dance!




          Whether mimicking that realistic kind of conversational chaos is a good idea pedagogically is a different issue.



          So someone might answer a question like "are you hungry" with a "let's get out the chips," but that is not a standard reply.



          The basic structure being shown is of an indirect answer, which is common enough in informal speech




          Are you X?



          Y.




          meaning,




          Yes, so Y.




          The "Yes, so" is dropped.






          share|improve this answer































            2














            The simple answer is that it's perfectly normal English. As others have pointed out, it isn't really a direct answer to the question, but indirect answers are the kind of thing you can do in any language. The more comfortable you get with English, the more you can play around with words to say pretty much anything:




            Albert: Are you hungry?

            Barney: I ate a few hours ago.



            Albert: Are you hungry?

            Barney: I could eat.



            Albert: Are you hungry?

            Barney: Am I ever not hungry?




            And some on the lighter side:




            Albert: Are you hungry?

            Barney: Can't you hear my stomach singing the national anthem? (Ooh say can we eat ...)



            Albert: Are you hungry?

            Barney: I'm way past hungry. If we don't eat soon, I'm going to start looking up recipes for Albert fricassee.



            Albert: Are you hungry?

            Barney: No, I'm Barney.







            share|improve this answer































              1














              I can't remember ever seeing this exact combination, but I don't think that is what the book is trying to teach.



              Learners may think that Yes/No questions must always be answered with "Yes", or "No". But if you actually see how people talk, they often don't respond like that. Instead they continue the conversation. So you could have




              Are you hungry?

              Well, I had a big breakfast.




              or




              Are you hungry?

              I know. Let's go to MacDonalds!




              or




              Are you hungry?

              Well, I feel like eating.




              The learning point here is that a "Yes/No" question does not need to be answered by "Yes" or "No".






              share|improve this answer
























              • "I feel like eating" is a perfectly natural answer to the question, along the lines of the other possible answers you listed here. The point being that the question raises the topic of eating a meal, presumably together, and the answer is affirming that topic.

                – Richard Winters
                2 hours ago











              Your Answer








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              3 Answers
              3






              active

              oldest

              votes








              3 Answers
              3






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              2














              It is not a direct answer to the question asked. Literally, it does not answer the question at all: for example, someone might prefer to eat rather than to continue an awkward conversation.



              It is a fact, however, that people do answer questions indirectly.




              Do you want to go to the movies?



              Let's go see the re-run of Flash Dance!




              Whether mimicking that realistic kind of conversational chaos is a good idea pedagogically is a different issue.



              So someone might answer a question like "are you hungry" with a "let's get out the chips," but that is not a standard reply.



              The basic structure being shown is of an indirect answer, which is common enough in informal speech




              Are you X?



              Y.




              meaning,




              Yes, so Y.




              The "Yes, so" is dropped.






              share|improve this answer




























                2














                It is not a direct answer to the question asked. Literally, it does not answer the question at all: for example, someone might prefer to eat rather than to continue an awkward conversation.



                It is a fact, however, that people do answer questions indirectly.




                Do you want to go to the movies?



                Let's go see the re-run of Flash Dance!




                Whether mimicking that realistic kind of conversational chaos is a good idea pedagogically is a different issue.



                So someone might answer a question like "are you hungry" with a "let's get out the chips," but that is not a standard reply.



                The basic structure being shown is of an indirect answer, which is common enough in informal speech




                Are you X?



                Y.




                meaning,




                Yes, so Y.




                The "Yes, so" is dropped.






                share|improve this answer


























                  2












                  2








                  2







                  It is not a direct answer to the question asked. Literally, it does not answer the question at all: for example, someone might prefer to eat rather than to continue an awkward conversation.



                  It is a fact, however, that people do answer questions indirectly.




                  Do you want to go to the movies?



                  Let's go see the re-run of Flash Dance!




                  Whether mimicking that realistic kind of conversational chaos is a good idea pedagogically is a different issue.



                  So someone might answer a question like "are you hungry" with a "let's get out the chips," but that is not a standard reply.



                  The basic structure being shown is of an indirect answer, which is common enough in informal speech




                  Are you X?



                  Y.




                  meaning,




                  Yes, so Y.




                  The "Yes, so" is dropped.






                  share|improve this answer













                  It is not a direct answer to the question asked. Literally, it does not answer the question at all: for example, someone might prefer to eat rather than to continue an awkward conversation.



                  It is a fact, however, that people do answer questions indirectly.




                  Do you want to go to the movies?



                  Let's go see the re-run of Flash Dance!




                  Whether mimicking that realistic kind of conversational chaos is a good idea pedagogically is a different issue.



                  So someone might answer a question like "are you hungry" with a "let's get out the chips," but that is not a standard reply.



                  The basic structure being shown is of an indirect answer, which is common enough in informal speech




                  Are you X?



                  Y.




                  meaning,




                  Yes, so Y.




                  The "Yes, so" is dropped.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 1 hour ago









                  Jeff MorrowJeff Morrow

                  11k1126




                  11k1126

























                      2














                      The simple answer is that it's perfectly normal English. As others have pointed out, it isn't really a direct answer to the question, but indirect answers are the kind of thing you can do in any language. The more comfortable you get with English, the more you can play around with words to say pretty much anything:




                      Albert: Are you hungry?

                      Barney: I ate a few hours ago.



                      Albert: Are you hungry?

                      Barney: I could eat.



                      Albert: Are you hungry?

                      Barney: Am I ever not hungry?




                      And some on the lighter side:




                      Albert: Are you hungry?

                      Barney: Can't you hear my stomach singing the national anthem? (Ooh say can we eat ...)



                      Albert: Are you hungry?

                      Barney: I'm way past hungry. If we don't eat soon, I'm going to start looking up recipes for Albert fricassee.



                      Albert: Are you hungry?

                      Barney: No, I'm Barney.







                      share|improve this answer




























                        2














                        The simple answer is that it's perfectly normal English. As others have pointed out, it isn't really a direct answer to the question, but indirect answers are the kind of thing you can do in any language. The more comfortable you get with English, the more you can play around with words to say pretty much anything:




                        Albert: Are you hungry?

                        Barney: I ate a few hours ago.



                        Albert: Are you hungry?

                        Barney: I could eat.



                        Albert: Are you hungry?

                        Barney: Am I ever not hungry?




                        And some on the lighter side:




                        Albert: Are you hungry?

                        Barney: Can't you hear my stomach singing the national anthem? (Ooh say can we eat ...)



                        Albert: Are you hungry?

                        Barney: I'm way past hungry. If we don't eat soon, I'm going to start looking up recipes for Albert fricassee.



                        Albert: Are you hungry?

                        Barney: No, I'm Barney.







                        share|improve this answer


























                          2












                          2








                          2







                          The simple answer is that it's perfectly normal English. As others have pointed out, it isn't really a direct answer to the question, but indirect answers are the kind of thing you can do in any language. The more comfortable you get with English, the more you can play around with words to say pretty much anything:




                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: I ate a few hours ago.



                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: I could eat.



                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: Am I ever not hungry?




                          And some on the lighter side:




                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: Can't you hear my stomach singing the national anthem? (Ooh say can we eat ...)



                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: I'm way past hungry. If we don't eat soon, I'm going to start looking up recipes for Albert fricassee.



                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: No, I'm Barney.







                          share|improve this answer













                          The simple answer is that it's perfectly normal English. As others have pointed out, it isn't really a direct answer to the question, but indirect answers are the kind of thing you can do in any language. The more comfortable you get with English, the more you can play around with words to say pretty much anything:




                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: I ate a few hours ago.



                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: I could eat.



                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: Am I ever not hungry?




                          And some on the lighter side:




                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: Can't you hear my stomach singing the national anthem? (Ooh say can we eat ...)



                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: I'm way past hungry. If we don't eat soon, I'm going to start looking up recipes for Albert fricassee.



                          Albert: Are you hungry?

                          Barney: No, I'm Barney.








                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 1 hour ago









                          AndrewAndrew

                          68.4k677151




                          68.4k677151























                              1














                              I can't remember ever seeing this exact combination, but I don't think that is what the book is trying to teach.



                              Learners may think that Yes/No questions must always be answered with "Yes", or "No". But if you actually see how people talk, they often don't respond like that. Instead they continue the conversation. So you could have




                              Are you hungry?

                              Well, I had a big breakfast.




                              or




                              Are you hungry?

                              I know. Let's go to MacDonalds!




                              or




                              Are you hungry?

                              Well, I feel like eating.




                              The learning point here is that a "Yes/No" question does not need to be answered by "Yes" or "No".






                              share|improve this answer
























                              • "I feel like eating" is a perfectly natural answer to the question, along the lines of the other possible answers you listed here. The point being that the question raises the topic of eating a meal, presumably together, and the answer is affirming that topic.

                                – Richard Winters
                                2 hours ago
















                              1














                              I can't remember ever seeing this exact combination, but I don't think that is what the book is trying to teach.



                              Learners may think that Yes/No questions must always be answered with "Yes", or "No". But if you actually see how people talk, they often don't respond like that. Instead they continue the conversation. So you could have




                              Are you hungry?

                              Well, I had a big breakfast.




                              or




                              Are you hungry?

                              I know. Let's go to MacDonalds!




                              or




                              Are you hungry?

                              Well, I feel like eating.




                              The learning point here is that a "Yes/No" question does not need to be answered by "Yes" or "No".






                              share|improve this answer
























                              • "I feel like eating" is a perfectly natural answer to the question, along the lines of the other possible answers you listed here. The point being that the question raises the topic of eating a meal, presumably together, and the answer is affirming that topic.

                                – Richard Winters
                                2 hours ago














                              1












                              1








                              1







                              I can't remember ever seeing this exact combination, but I don't think that is what the book is trying to teach.



                              Learners may think that Yes/No questions must always be answered with "Yes", or "No". But if you actually see how people talk, they often don't respond like that. Instead they continue the conversation. So you could have




                              Are you hungry?

                              Well, I had a big breakfast.




                              or




                              Are you hungry?

                              I know. Let's go to MacDonalds!




                              or




                              Are you hungry?

                              Well, I feel like eating.




                              The learning point here is that a "Yes/No" question does not need to be answered by "Yes" or "No".






                              share|improve this answer













                              I can't remember ever seeing this exact combination, but I don't think that is what the book is trying to teach.



                              Learners may think that Yes/No questions must always be answered with "Yes", or "No". But if you actually see how people talk, they often don't respond like that. Instead they continue the conversation. So you could have




                              Are you hungry?

                              Well, I had a big breakfast.




                              or




                              Are you hungry?

                              I know. Let's go to MacDonalds!




                              or




                              Are you hungry?

                              Well, I feel like eating.




                              The learning point here is that a "Yes/No" question does not need to be answered by "Yes" or "No".







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered 2 hours ago









                              James KJames K

                              36.6k13890




                              36.6k13890













                              • "I feel like eating" is a perfectly natural answer to the question, along the lines of the other possible answers you listed here. The point being that the question raises the topic of eating a meal, presumably together, and the answer is affirming that topic.

                                – Richard Winters
                                2 hours ago



















                              • "I feel like eating" is a perfectly natural answer to the question, along the lines of the other possible answers you listed here. The point being that the question raises the topic of eating a meal, presumably together, and the answer is affirming that topic.

                                – Richard Winters
                                2 hours ago

















                              "I feel like eating" is a perfectly natural answer to the question, along the lines of the other possible answers you listed here. The point being that the question raises the topic of eating a meal, presumably together, and the answer is affirming that topic.

                              – Richard Winters
                              2 hours ago





                              "I feel like eating" is a perfectly natural answer to the question, along the lines of the other possible answers you listed here. The point being that the question raises the topic of eating a meal, presumably together, and the answer is affirming that topic.

                              – Richard Winters
                              2 hours ago


















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