[General] Going to a movie?

[Silverobama]

Is the following short conversation natural? It's between a man (A) and a woman (B).

A: Are you going to a movie this afternoon?
B: No. Why did you say that?
A: I'm just asking.

What B says means "Why did you ask that question?" and A's reply means "Nothing special, I'm just asking if you have anything to do this afternoon and I think going to a movie might be your choice".

 

[emsr2d2]

Natural? No. No two native speakers would ever have that conversation.

Bob: What are you doing this afternoon?
Jane: Nothing much. Why do you ask?
Bob: Just wondered. Fancy seeing a film?
Jane: Sure!

I have no idea why the man in your dialogue would want to just try and guess what the woman might be doing this afternoon. It makes no sense.

 

[Silverobama]

I have no idea why the man in your dialogue would want to just try and guess what the woman might be doing this afternoon. It makes no sense.

Will it make more sense if the man knows that the woman (B) likes watching movies?

 

[emsr2d2]

Not really, not without some context. Why does he think she's doing anything in particular this afternoon? Where are they when they have this conversation? What makes him think she's going to the cinema (just the fact that she likes doing it isn't enough).

 

[Silverobama]

Not really, not without some context. Why does he think she's doing anything in particular this afternoon? Where are they when they have this conversation? What makes him think she's going to the cinema (just the fact that she likes doing it isn't enough).

I'm deeply sorry, emsr2d2, for not providing enough context.

A is me. I didn't think B (her name is Zoe) was going to do anything particular this afternoon. But I followed her on her twitter, she posted movie tickets from time to time, so I think she might go to a movie this afternoon.

Anyway, your new conversation is perfect and it's what I was looking for!

Much appreciated!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Is the following short conversation natural? It's between a man (A) and a woman (B).

A: Are you going to a movie this afternoon?
B: No, why?
A: Just asking.

Or:

- Just wondering.
- Just curious.

What B says means is "Why did you ask that question?" and A's reply means "Nothing special, I'm just asking if you have anything to do this afternoon, and I think going to a movie might be your choice".

Those changes make it much more conversational, natural, and likely.