what does he do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'what does he do' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to inquire about someone's occupation or job. For example: I was introduced to a new colleague today, but I didn't catch his name. I'm curious about what does he do.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And what does he do?

The Guardian - Film

So what does he do?

The New York Times - Books

What does he do in life?

The New Yorker

So what does he do to relax?

The New York Times

So what does he do in penance?

The New York Times - Books

What does he do for kicks now?

The New York Times

What does he do for fun?

The New Yorker

Just what does he do anymore?

The New York Times - Sports

But what does he do?

The New York Times

What does he do well?

The Guardian - Sport

What does he do afterwards?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what does he do" when you want to inquire about someone's occupation or daily activities in a neutral or informal setting.

Common error

Avoid using "what does he do" when you need specific details about a person's qualifications or experience. In such cases, ask for their resume or work portfolio.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what does he do" serves as an interrogative clause used to inquire about someone's occupation, activities, or general role in life. Ludwig examples show its versatility in seeking information about a person's profession or how they spend their time. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what does he do" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to ask about someone's occupation or activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. The analysis of numerous examples reveals that it is most frequently used in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When a more formal approach is necessary, alternatives such as "what is his occupation?" can be considered. Remember to consider this when writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is his job

This alternative is a direct and simple way to ask about the person's job.

what is his role

This alternative is a shorter and more direct way of asking about a person's function or position.

what is his occupation

This alternative is more formal and directly asks about the person's job.

what is his profession

This alternative is a slightly more formal way to inquire about someone's job.

what does he work as

This alternative focuses on the type of work the person does.

what line of work is he in

This alternative asks about the person's profession or industry.

what are his activities

This alternative broadens the scope to include activities beyond just work.

what is he involved in

This alternative is more general and asks about the person's involvements.

how does he spend his time

This alternative focuses on how the person allocates their time.

what are his responsibilities

This alternative asks about the person's duties or obligations.

FAQs

How can I use "what does he do" in a sentence?

You can use "what does he do" to ask about someone's occupation. For example, "I met a new neighbor, but I don't know "what does he do"?"

What's a more formal way to ask "what does he do"?

More formal alternatives include "What is his occupation?" or "What line of work is he in?". These are suitable for professional settings.

What can I say instead of "what does he do" in a casual conversation?

In casual conversations, you can use alternatives like "what's his job?" or "what does he work as?".

Is "what does he do" appropriate for all contexts?

While generally acceptable, "what does he do" might be too informal for highly professional or academic settings. Consider the context when choosing your words.