The chapter discusses the relationship between language and social activities, emphasizing that understanding the meaning of utterances involves knowing the context in which they are used. It explores the concept of "activity types," which refers to culturally recognized activities with specific goals, constraints, and roles. The chapter argues that the structural properties of an activity constrain the functions of verbal contributions, and that inferences about discourse are tied to the structural organization of the activity. It provides examples from various contexts, such as cricket, basketball, and legal proceedings, to illustrate how the structure of an activity influences the interpretation of utterances. The chapter also examines the role of questions in different activities, such as interviews, court cases, and classroom teaching, showing how the nature of the activity shapes the function and interpretation of questions. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the underlying strategies and goals of participants to grasp the meaning of language use in institutional settings.The chapter discusses the relationship between language and social activities, emphasizing that understanding the meaning of utterances involves knowing the context in which they are used. It explores the concept of "activity types," which refers to culturally recognized activities with specific goals, constraints, and roles. The chapter argues that the structural properties of an activity constrain the functions of verbal contributions, and that inferences about discourse are tied to the structural organization of the activity. It provides examples from various contexts, such as cricket, basketball, and legal proceedings, to illustrate how the structure of an activity influences the interpretation of utterances. The chapter also examines the role of questions in different activities, such as interviews, court cases, and classroom teaching, showing how the nature of the activity shapes the function and interpretation of questions. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the underlying strategies and goals of participants to grasp the meaning of language use in institutional settings.