how come this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how come this" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when asking for the reason or explanation behind something. Example: "How come this happened without any warning?" Alternative expressions include "why is it that" and "what's the reason for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

How come this never happens when I'm in Thailand on vacation or in Mexico with my girlfriend?

The New York Times

So how come this story of a businessman and his complex personal tax arrangements has caused such a political storm?

The Guardian - Opinion

And every year, right, it's the same story when they are announced—I mean, usually when they are announced, there is always like, "How come this actor wasn't nominated" or, "How come this movie didn't make it," there is always a surprise or two.

The New Yorker

How come this tyranny is socially acceptable?

The New Yorker

This is why I am going there to ask how come this happened.

The New York Times

"How come this conversation was so profound and rich in the '60s and '70s?" she added.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

How come the third quarter is better than the first quarter?

The New York Times - Sports

If it's getting warmer, how come the 2010 winter was so cold?

The Guardian

"How come the archdiocese in 2012 can't open the doors?

The New York Times

They talked about the limited time they spent together, how, come the African championships next summer, much more could be accomplished.

The New York Times - Sports

If his computer programme or algorithm was switched off at 1.40pm on May 6, how come the big falls on the market took place after that point?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how come this" when seeking a direct and relatively informal explanation for a specific situation or event. It's suitable for conversational contexts and less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "how come this" in formal writing, academic papers, or professional reports. Opt for more formal alternatives like "what is the reason for this" or "why is this the case" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how come this" functions as an interrogative expression, primarily used to elicit an explanation or reason for a particular situation. It is akin to asking "why" but carries a more informal and often surprised tone, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how come this" is a grammatically correct interrogative phrase primarily used in informal contexts to seek explanations for unexpected or confusing situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is common in news and media sources, indicating its wide acceptance in general communication. While suitable for casual conversations, it's best to avoid using it in formal or professional writing. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required when deciding whether to use "how come this" or a more formal alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why is this so

Replaces "how come" with the more formal "why is", maintaining the questioning tone about a particular situation.

what is the reason for this

Substitutes the colloquial "how come" with a more explicit inquiry about the underlying cause.

what explains this

Focuses on finding an explanation for a given scenario, replacing the direct question of "how come".

what's the explanation for this

Similar to 'what is the reason for this', this option uses a slightly more casual tone while retaining the direct query for a cause.

can you explain this

Shifts the focus to requesting an explanation from someone, rather than directly questioning the situation itself.

could you elaborate on this

Asks for more detailed information about a specific situation, implying a lack of understanding.

what's the deal with this

This is a more informal way of asking for an explanation, often used in casual conversation.

what's going on here

This phrase is a broader inquiry, seeking to understand the general situation rather than a specific cause.

how did this happen

Focuses specifically on the process or sequence of events that led to the current situation.

what brought this about

Directly asks about the cause or catalyst that initiated the current situation.

FAQs

What does "how come this" mean?

The phrase "how come this" is an informal way of asking "why is this happening" or "what is the reason for this?" It's used to express curiosity or confusion about a particular situation.

Is it okay to use "how come this" in professional emails?

While grammatically correct, "how come this" is generally too informal for professional emails. Consider using phrases like "what is the reason for this" or "why is this so" instead to maintain a professional tone.

What are some similar phrases to "how come this"?

Alternatives to "how come this" include "what explains this", "what's the explanation for this", or simply "why is this so". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

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

You can use "how come this" to inquire about something unexpected or confusing. For example, "How come this project is already over budget?" or "How come this happened without my knowledge?"