for living or for a living??

teachers,

When you ask a person his occupation by saying "what do you do?", which of the followings are considered correct?

What do you do for living? or What do you do for a living?

Similarly,

What does he do for living? or What does he do for a living?
What do they do for living or What do they do for a living?

Awaits your kind answers, thank you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jibou

teachers,

When you ask a person his occupation by saying "what do you do?", which of the followings are considered correct?

What do you do for living? or What do you do for a living?

Similarly,

What does he do for living? or What does he do for a living?
What do they do for living or What do they do for a living?

Awaits your kind answers, thank you.

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Hi, jibou!

Simple answers to your questions:
What do you do for living? I breathe air and eat food.
What do you do for a living (wage)? I am a teacher at Smith School.

Similarly,

What does he do for living? He breathes air and eats food.
What does he do for a living (wage)? He is a chef at Smith's Restaurant.

A more direct question is, "What is your profession?" Or, "What line of work are you in?"

Cheers,
Amigo