How was your weekend? Small talk that keeps going

The rule

Answer in three steps: say how it was, add one detail in the past simple, then ask back: It was great. I visited my cousins. How about you?

Answers like Good. or Normal. stop the conversation, and many learners use the present by mistake: I go to the beach. One detail in the past simple and a question back show interest and keep the chat going.

Examples

In a conversation

A: Morning, Nora! How was your weekend?

B: It was great. I visited my cousins by the sea. How about you?

A: Quiet. I stayed at home and watched a series.

B: Sounds relaxing! Was it good?

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

1. How was your weekend?
   • a) Good.
   • b) It was nice. I saw a film. And you?
   • c) It is nice. I see a film.
2. On Saturday I ___ to the market with my sister.
   • a) went
   • b) go
   • c) goed
3. ___ anything fun on Sunday?
   • a) You did
   • b) Do you did
   • c) Did you do

Tip

Nothing special? Try It was quiet. I just relaxed at home. rather than It was normal. Watch irregular verbs: go → went, see → saw, eat → ate.

Answers

1. b) It was nice. I saw a film. And you? Past simple, one detail and a question back keep the chat going.
2. a) went. Saturday is finished: went (an irregular verb).
3. c) Did you do. Past questions: Did + subject + base verb.

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