How's

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "How's" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a contraction of "How is" or "How has" and can be used in informal communication to inquire about someone's well-being or the status of something. Example: "How's your day going so far?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

HOW'S this for futile?

The Economist

How's yours?

Independent

"How's everything?

The New Yorker

How's that?

The New York Times

How's that been?

The Guardian

How's that for touchy?

The Guardian - Books

How's that for tolerance?

The New York Times

How's that for you?

The New York Times - Sports

How's that coming along?

The Guardian - Sport

How's that for bullish?

TechCrunch

How's that for motivation?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "How's" in informal contexts to inquire about someone's well-being or the state of something. For formal writing, consider using "How is" or "How has" for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "How's" in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for the full form, "How is" or "How has", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "How's" is to serve as a contracted interrogative, initiating questions about the state, condition, or well-being of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "How's" is a commonly used and grammatically sound contraction of "How is" or "How has", primarily employed to initiate informal inquiries about well-being or status. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While its use is widespread in news and media, it's advisable to use the full forms "How is" or "How has" in more formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. When aiming for semantic variety, consider alternatives such as "how is everything" or "how are things going". Remember to tailor your choice to the formality of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How is everything?

Expands the inquiry to encompass all aspects of the situation rather than a specific element.

How are things going?

Focuses on the progress and current state of affairs in a general sense.

What's going on?

Inquires about current events or developments, often used in casual conversation.

How are you doing?

Specifically asks about the person's well-being and current state.

What's up?

A very informal greeting and inquiry about current activities or news.

How has it been?

Asks about the recent experiences or events that have transpired.

How is it progressing?

Focuses specifically on the advancement or development of a project or situation.

What's the status?

Requests an update on the current condition or phase of something.

Tell me about it.

Invites the other person to provide details and updates on a topic.

What's new?

Inquires about any recent news or happenings in the person's life.

FAQs

What does "How's" mean?

"How's" is a contraction of "How is" or "How has". It's commonly used to ask about someone's well-being or the state of something.

When should I use "How's" instead of "How is"?

Use "How's" in informal conversations or casual writing. For formal writing, it's better to use "How is" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternatives to asking "How's it going?"

You can use alternatives like "how are things going", "what's up", or "how are you doing" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "How's" in a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "How's" as a contraction in informal contexts. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing.