What's going on?

USAGE SUMMARY

"What's going on?" is correct and perfectly usable in written English
You can use it in a variety of contexts including when you want to ask someone what is happening or what is going on in a particular situation. For example, you might write in an email to a friend "Hey, what's going on?" to inquire as to how they are doing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

What's going on here?

The New York Times - Sports

What's going on there?

Forbes

Why? What's going on there?

WikiHow

What's going on in there?

The New York Times

What's going on with her?

The New Yorker

What's going on?

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

What is Going On?

University of California, Berkeley

What was going on here?

Forbes

What is going on there?

Forbes

What is going on Long Beach?

Los Angeles Times

What is going on here?

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In casual correspondence, utilize the contraction 's' to maintain a friendly and approachable tone.

Common error

Avoid using "What's going on?" in the body of a formal scientific abstract or legal document as it is considered too conversational. Instead, use more precise terminology such as "current status" or "observed phenomena" to maintain the professional integrity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "What's going on?" functions as an interrogative clause in the present continuous tense. It utilizes a contraction of "what is" followed by the phrasal verb "go on". In linguistic terms, it serves to elicit information about a current or unfolding event. Examples from Ludwig indicate its use as both a direct inquiry into an event and a social greeting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki & General Knowledge

30%

Informal Dialogue

20%

Less common in

Science & Technical Papers

3%

Legal Documents

1%

Formal Business Proposals

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "What's going on?" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct expression that serves as a staple of contemporary English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity across a wide spectrum of authoritative domains, from the investigative journalism of The New York Times to the analytical depth of Yale University. Whether you are using it to solve a mystery, check in with a friend, or report on a developing news story, the phrase remains a reliable tool for gathering information. While it leans towards a more conversational tone, its clarity and directness make it an essential phrase for effective communication in both spoken and written formats.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What is happening?

removes the contraction and is slightly more formal and descriptive

What's up?

acts as a more informal and colloquial greeting or inquiry

How are things?

shifts the focus from a specific event to a general state of affairs

What is the situation?

provides a more clinical and professional tone used in business or crisis management

What's occurring?

uses a more specific verb and often carries a regional or slightly quirky connotation

What's the status?

implies an inquiry into the progress of a specific task or project

How's it going?

functions more as a casual greeting than a direct question about events

What are the latest developments?

suggests a formal need for updated information regarding an ongoing story

What's the matter?

assumes that something is specifically wrong rather than being a neutral inquiry

What's shaking?

is a dated or highly informal slang variant of the query

FAQs

How do I use "What's going on?" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone question to ask about a situation, such as "The crowd is shouting; what's going on?", or as a greeting like "Hey, "what's going on" with you today?".

What can I say instead of "What's going on?"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "what is happening", "what's up", or "how are things".

Which is correct, "What's going on?" or "What is going on?"?

Both are grammatically correct. Use ""what's going on"" for speech and informal writing, while "what is going on" is better for more formal or emphatic contexts.

Is "What's going on?" a greeting?

Yes, it is often used as a synonym for "how are you" or "what's new" in informal social settings.