How are you doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression 'How are you doing' is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is a polite way of asking someone how they are. For example, you could write the following sentences: "Hi John, I hope you are doing well. How are you doing?" "I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How are you doing?

The New York Times

How are you doing now?

The New York Times

How are you doing, hermanito?

The New Yorker

"How are you doing this evening?

The New York Times

"How are you doing today?" I asked.

The New York Times

How are you doing in there?

The New York Times

How are you doing so far?

The New York Times

"How are you doing?" I ask.

The New Yorker

"How are you doing, Kim?" I asked.

The New York Times

How are you doing this?

The Washington Post

"How are you doing?" Piniella asked Nelson.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "How are you doing?" in initial greetings to establish a friendly tone, especially in professional or formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "How are you doing?" excessively with close friends or family; opt for more casual greetings like "What's up?" or "How's it going?" to maintain a natural conversational flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "How are you doing" primarily functions as an interrogative expression, used to inquire about someone's well-being or current state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "How are you doing" is a versatile and widely used expression for inquiring about someone's well-being. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, but also appears in formal and business settings. While interchangeable with "How are you?", it often carries a warmer, more conversational tone. When considering alternatives, options like "How's it going?" or "What's up?" offer more casual options, while "How have you been?" is suited for catching up with someone you haven't seen in a while. In essence, understanding the subtle nuances of "How are you doing" allows for effective and context-appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How's it going?

A casual and common greeting, similar in meaning but less formal.

How are you?

A more direct and slightly more formal way of asking about someone's well-being.

How have you been?

Used when you haven't seen someone in a while, inquiring about their recent experiences.

How are things?

A general way to ask about someone's current situation or activities.

How's everything?

Similar to "How are things?" but slightly broader in scope.

What's up?

An informal greeting often used among friends or acquaintances.

How's life treating you?

A more personal and concerned way of asking about someone's overall well-being.

What's new?

Inquiring about recent events or changes in someone's life.

How do you feel?

More focused on physical or emotional health than a general greeting.

Are you alright?

Implies concern and is used when someone seems unwell or upset.

FAQs

What's the difference between "How are you?" and "How are you doing"?

The phrases "How are you?" and "How are you doing?" are often interchangeable, with subtle differences in formality. "How are you?" is more direct, while "How are you doing?" can be seen as slightly more conversational and warmer. The choice depends on the context and your relationship with the person.

What can I say instead of "How are you doing" in a formal setting?

In a formal setting, you could use phrases like "I hope this email finds you well", or "How have you been since we last spoke?" which convey respect and professionalism. Depending on the context you may also want to use "How are you".

Is it appropriate to use "How are you doing?" in an email?

Yes, it's perfectly appropriate to use "How are you doing?" in an email, especially as an opening line to show politeness and establish a friendly tone. However, consider the recipient and the context of the email. A more formal greeting might be preferable for initial correspondence with someone in a high position or someone you don't know well.

When should I avoid using "How are you doing?"?

Avoid using "How are you doing?" when you already know the person is going through a difficult time, unless you're prepared to genuinely listen to their response. In such cases, a more specific and empathetic inquiry might be more appropriate.