how come

USAGE SUMMARY

'how come' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to ask why something is the case or happened in a particular way. For example: "We are leaving early, how come?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She asked how come.

The New Yorker

"How come?" she said.

The New York Times

I asked, "How come?

The New York Times

How come she didn't notice?

The New Yorker

"How come everybody says that?

The New Yorker

"But how come 800 rounds?

The New York Times

How come us?

The Guardian

How come you're here?

The Guardian

I thought, how come?

The Guardian

"How come?' he asked.

The New York Times

How come the sunlight?

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how come" in informal contexts where a direct, conversational tone is appropriate. It's suitable for everyday questions among friends and family.

Common error

Avoid using "how come" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "why is it that" or "for what reason" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how come" functions as an informal interrogative adverbial phrase. It introduces a question, seeking an explanation or reason for a particular situation or event. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's a common way to express curiosity or request clarification in everyday conversation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"How come" is a commonly used informal phrase that serves as an alternative to "why", primarily employed to seek explanations or reasons. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, although its informal register makes it more suitable for casual conversations rather than formal writing. While it appears frequently in news and media, it is less common in academic or business settings. For formal contexts, alternatives like "why is it that" or "for what reason" are more appropriate, ensuring a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why is that

Similar in meaning but slightly more detached.

what's the reason

Directly asks for the explanation.

could you explain why

Politely asks for an explanation.

why is it that

More formal and explicitly states the reason for inquiry.

what's the explanation

Seeks a detailed account of the cause.

what's the cause

Focuses specifically on identifying the origin of the event.

for what reason

More formal and direct, focusing on the cause.

on what grounds

Asks for the justification or basis of something.

what's the purpose

Asks about the intention or goal behind an action.

what makes you think

Inquires about the basis of someone's belief or action.

FAQs

How can I use "how come" in a sentence?

You can use "how come" to ask for the reason behind something. For example, "How come you didn't tell me about this?"

What's a more formal way to say "how come"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "why is it that" or "for what reason" instead of "how come".

Is "how come" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how come" is grammatically acceptable in informal contexts. However, it's generally avoided in formal writing.

What is the difference between "how come" and "why"?

While both "how come" and "why" inquire about a reason, "how come" is typically used in more casual conversation, whereas "why" is suitable in a broader range of contexts.