English Learning for Beginners: Asking About Hobbies
Dialogue
Alice: Hey Bob, long time no see! How have you been?
Bob: Alice! I’m great, thanks. Just trying to survive my cat’s latest ‘art’ project.
Alice: Oh no, not again! What is she into now?
Bob: Rearranging all my books by color. It’s… a hobby, I guess. Speaking of hobbies, what do you usually do for fun these days?
Alice: Well, I’ve been learning to juggle. My kitchen is very brave.
Bob: Juggling? That’s quite a skill! Any particular reason?
Alice: Just thought it would be cool for parties. Plus, it’s a great way to use up all those spare oranges before they go bad.
Bob: (Laughing) That’s a very practical hobby! What else do you do besides supervising your cat’s interior decorating?
Alice: Hmm, I actually started collecting rubber ducks. Each one has a tiny hat.
Bob: Seriously? Rubber ducks with hats? That’s… unexpectedly charming. Do they have names?
Alice: Of course! This one is Sir Quacks-a-Lot. He’s a knight.
Bob: (Laughing) That’s amazing. I guess my juggling looks pretty normal now. Do you ever go out for your hobbies, or is it all indoor adventuring?
Alice: Sometimes I take Sir Quacks-a-Lot for a walk in the park. He enjoys the fresh air. What about you? Juggling at the park?
Bob: Not yet, I don’t want to accidentally hit a squirrel. Maybe a quiet garden. It sounds like we have very unique ways to relax!
Alice: Definitely! We should have a hobby show-and-tell sometime.
Bob: I’m in! I’ll bring my oranges. You bring Sir Quacks-a-Lot.
Current Situation
Asking about hobbies is a fantastic way to get to know someone better and build friendships. Everyone has something they enjoy doing in their free time, whether it’s reading, playing sports, drawing, or even collecting rubber ducks with tiny hats! It’s a very common and friendly topic for conversations, especially when you meet new people or want to chat with friends. It helps you find common interests and can lead to more interesting discussions. It’s a great way to start a conversation and show interest in someone’s life outside of work or study.
Key Phrases
- What do you do for fun?
Example: “So, what do you do for fun on weekends?”
- What are your hobbies?
Example: “That sounds interesting! What are your hobbies?”
- What do you like to do in your free time?
Example: “When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your free time?”
- Do you have any hobbies?
Example: “You seem busy. Do you have any hobbies?”
- I like to [verb] / I like [verb + -ing].
Example: “I like to read books.” or “I like reading books.”
- I enjoy [verb + -ing].
Example: “I enjoy playing video games.”
- I’m into [noun/verb + -ing].
Example: “I’m into photography.” or “I’m into drawing.”
- I’ve been learning to [verb].
Example: “I’ve been learning to play the guitar.”
Grammar Points
-
Simple Present for Habits and Hobbies:
We use the simple present tense to talk about things we do regularly, like hobbies.
- Question: What do you do for fun?
- Answer: I play tennis. She reads a lot. They go hiking.
-
Verbs + -ing (Gerunds):
After verbs like “like,” “enjoy,” and the phrase “be into,” we often use the -ing form of a verb (a gerund) to talk about hobbies.
- Examples:
- I like reading books.
- She enjoys painting.
- He is into cooking. (or ‘He’s into cooking’)
- Examples:
-
Verbs + ‘to + verb’ (Infinitives):
You can also use “like” with “to + verb” (infinitive). Both “I like reading” and “I like to read” are correct and mean the same thing.
- Examples:
- I like to watch movies.
- They like to swim.
- Examples:
-
“I’ve been learning to…” (Present Perfect Continuous):
This phrase is useful when you want to talk about a new hobby or skill you started recently and are still continuing.
- Examples:
- I’ve been learning to play the piano. (Meaning: I started in the past and I’m still learning now.)
- She’s been learning to code.
- Examples:
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb in parentheses or a suitable phrase.
- What do you ________ (do) for fun?
- I really enjoy ________ (paint) in my free time.
- Do you have ________ hobbies?
- She’s ________ learning to play the guitar.
- My brother is ________ into collecting stamps.
- What do you ________ (like) to do on weekends?
Exercise 2: Match the Questions to the Answers
Match the questions about hobbies with the most suitable answers.
- What are your hobbies?
- Do you like to read?
- What do you do for fun?
- I’ve been learning to cook.
- Are you into sports?
- a) Oh, that’s great! What kind of food?
- b) Yes, I enjoy playing basketball.
- c) I like hiking and playing board games.
- d) Not really, I prefer watching movies.
- e) I usually go cycling or visit art galleries.
Exercise 3: Your Turn!
Answer these questions about your own hobbies.
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- Do you have any hobbies you’ve been learning recently?
- What’s one thing you don’t enjoy doing?
Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks – Answers
- do
- painting
- any
- been
- into
- like
Exercise 2: Match the Questions to the Answers – Answers
- c) I like hiking and playing board games.
- d) Not really, I prefer watching movies.
- e) I usually go cycling or visit art galleries.
- a) Oh, that’s great! What kind of food?
- b) Yes, I enjoy playing basketball.
Exercise 3: Your Turn! – Answers
(Answers will vary depending on your personal hobbies.)
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