When you need this

"What's your favorite...?" is the question that turns small talk into a real conversation. It's personal but safe. People like answering it, and the answer tells you something about them in a few words.

Keep the question specific. "What's your favorite food?" is fine, but "What's your favorite thing to cook on a weekend?" gets a better story. American English spells it "favorite," with no u.

Phrases

the classic question; expect a pause while they think

asks about a type, not one song

"who" for people, "what" for things

a light question when there are many choices

the thing you choose again and again

choose between two

asks for the reason

invites a story

a gentle question for someone new

an activity, not an object

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Ask a "favorite" question for each situation.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.