How's it going

USAGE SUMMARY

"How's it going" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
It is an informal expression used as a greeting or to make polite conversation. For example, you might write in an email, "Hi Joe, how's it going?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"How's it going?

The New York Times

How's it going, Roger?

The Guardian - Sport

"How's it going everybody?

The Guardian - Music

"How's it going?" "Slowly, painfully.

The New Yorker

How's it going to happen?

Independent

"How's it going?" she asked.

The New Yorker

"How's it going?" he asked.

The New York Times

"How's it going?" the woman asked him.

The New Yorker

"How's it going?" I asked.

The New York Times

"How's it going?" "Not good".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ketts, Doctor Kish How's it going?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "How's it going" in informal settings such as casual conversations with friends, family, or colleagues. It's a friendly and approachable way to start a conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "How's it going" in formal settings like business meetings or academic presentations. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "How are you?" or "I hope you're doing well".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "How's it going" functions as an interrogative greeting. It is used to initiate a conversation or to inquire about the well-being of the person being addressed, which is confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "How's it going" is a very common and informal greeting used to inquire about someone's well-being, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and most appropriate in casual contexts, such as conversations with friends or colleagues. While it can appear in news and media sources, it's best to avoid using it in formal or business settings. Alternatives like "How are you doing" or "How are things" may be more suitable for professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How are you doing

More formal and general inquiry about someone's well-being.

What's up

A very informal greeting, asking what is happening.

How are things

General inquiry about the state of affairs in someone's life.

What's new

Inquiring if there have been any recent developments.

How's life

A broader question about overall life satisfaction.

How have you been

Asks about someone's well-being over a period of time.

What's going on

Similar to "What's up", but can also imply concern.

How do you do

A formal greeting, less common in modern usage.

Are you well

Directly asks about someone's health and well-being.

How fares it

Archaic way of asking how someone is doing.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "How's it going"?

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

Is "How's it going" grammatically correct?

Yes, "How's it going" is a grammatically correct contraction of "How is it going". It is commonly used in informal speech and writing.

When is it appropriate to use "How's it going"?

"How's it going" is appropriate in casual settings with people you know. Avoid using it in formal or professional situations where a more formal greeting is expected.

How do I respond to "How's it going"?

You can respond with a simple "Good, thanks. How about you?" or "It's going well. And you?". You can also provide a brief update on what you've been doing if you're comfortable sharing.