how's it going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how's it going" is a correct and usable sentence in written English
It is typically used as a casual greeting. For example: "Hey Bob, how's it going?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So how's it going?

University of California, Berkeley

So, 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

Hey! Hi! How's it going?

The New Yorker

"How's it going?" she whispered.

The New York Times

"How's it going?" Joe asked.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you are looking to establish or reinforce an informal relationship, using "how's it going" is perfect to be used with colleagues and partners.

Common error

Avoid using "how's it going" in formal business communications or when addressing someone in a position of authority. Opt for more formal greetings like "how are you doing?" or "good morning/afternoon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how's it going" functions primarily as a greeting or conversation starter. It's used to inquire about someone's well-being or current state. Ludwig confirms its common usage in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how's it going" is a very common and grammatically correct greeting phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is best suited for informal settings and serves to initiate friendly conversation. While it appears across various sources, including news and academia, its informality makes it less appropriate for formal business communications. Alternatives like "how are you doing" offer a more formal approach. The phrase's prevalence across various sources underscores its widespread acceptance and use in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how are you doing

More formal alternative, suitable for professional settings.

how are things

A general inquiry about someone's life or situation.

what's up

A very informal and casual greeting.

what's new

Asks if anything interesting or significant has happened.

how's life

Inquires about the overall state of someone's life.

how have you been

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

what's happening

Similar to "what's up", but slightly more inquisitive.

how do you do

A formal greeting, often used when meeting someone for the first time.

good to see you

Expresses pleasure at seeing someone.

how's everything

A broader inquiry about all aspects of someone's life.

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's life depending on the context".

Is "how's it going" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how's it going" is grammatically correct in informal contexts. It is a shortened version of "how is it going?"

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

It's appropriate to use "how's it going" in casual settings with friends, family, or acquaintances. Avoid using it in formal or professional situations.

What's the difference between "how's it going" and "how are you"?

"How's it going" is a more relaxed and informal greeting, while "how are you" is slightly more formal. Both are used to inquire about someone's well-being, but "how are you" is safer in formal environments.