how are things going

USAGE SUMMARY

"how are things going" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a casual, friendly way to ask someone how they are doing or how a particular situation is progressing. For example, you could write in an email, "I hope you're doing well. How are things going for you lately?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

How are things going?

The New York Times

So how are things going?

Columbia University

"It wasn't, 'How are things going?

The New York Times

"How are things going?" "Weird.

The New Yorker

How are things going with your war?

The New Yorker

'How are things going to impact on me?

The New Yorker

So one week into the fortnight, how are things going?

Independent

So how are things going across the Irish Sea?

The Guardian - Business

Good evening, how are things going in "Deano" world?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

" 'Well,' I say to Harry the Horse, 'how are things going, Harry?' 'They are going no good,' Harry says.

The New York Times

We will seek to interview participating patients annually about general aspects of care ('How are things going for you?').

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how are things going" in professional settings, tailor your response to the context. A brief, positive update is often sufficient unless more detail is explicitly requested.

Common error

While "how are things going" is generally informal, avoid responding with overly casual slang or vague answers in professional contexts. Instead, provide a concise and relevant update.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how are things going" functions primarily as an interrogative expression, used to inquire about the well-being of an individual or the progress of a situation. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is a friendly greeting or inquiry. Examples show it used in various contexts, from personal conversations to professional check-ins.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how are things going" is a versatile and common expression used to inquire about someone's well-being or the progress of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily in informal and neutral settings. It functions as an invitation to share information and build rapport. While highly prevalent in News & Media, it also finds usage in Academia and Formal & Business contexts. For more formal situations, alternatives like "how do you fare" or "how have you been" might be more appropriate. Understanding its nuances ensures effective communication across different social and professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how's it going

This is a more informal contraction of "how is it going".

how are you doing

This is a standard and direct way to ask about someone's well-being.

how's everything

This inquires about the overall state of someone's life or a specific situation.

what's up

This is a very informal and casual greeting.

how have you been

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

how's life treating you

This is a more personal and empathetic way to inquire about someone's life.

what's happening

This is a more general inquiry about current events or activities.

how do you fare

This is a slightly more formal and less common way to ask about someone's well-being.

what's the situation

This focuses specifically on the status or progress of a particular matter.

what's the progress

This is a more direct way to inquire about the advancement of a project or task.

FAQs

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

The phrases "how are things going" and "how is it going" are nearly interchangeable. The latter is a slightly more informal contraction.

What can I say instead of "how are things going" in a formal setting?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "how do you fare" or "how have you been", depending on the specific context and your relationship with the person.

Is it appropriate to use "how are things going" in an email?

Yes, "how are things going" is perfectly appropriate for email communication, especially in more casual or friendly exchanges. However, consider your audience and the formality of the email's purpose.

How to respond when someone asks "how are things going"?

A simple and polite response could be "Things are going well, thank you for asking." followed by a brief update if appropriate. You can also reciprocate by asking "how are you doing?"