how did things go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how did things go" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about the outcome or progress of a situation or event. Example: "After the meeting, I wanted to ask my colleague, how did things go with the client?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

So how did things go after 1989?

The New York Times

How did things go so wrong?

Harvard Business Review

How did things go so badly wrong?

The Guardian - Opinion

How did things go wrong so fast?

The New York Times

How did things go so wrong at NBC?

The New York Times

"How did things go in school?" Ramis asked Daniel, grinning.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

How rapidly did things go?

The New York Times

As a religion with countless gods and many sacred texts, it does not lend itself to extremism: there are no rules for governments to enforce.How did things go wrong?

The Economist

"If you're not real about where things have gone wrong, how do things get better?

Vice

How did things ever go this far?

The Guardian

He also predicted the backbench would be much more assertive in putting its case on policy, saying "fairness in how we do things is going to be very important in framing the next budget" and transparency and consultation would be crucial ingredients.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When inquiring about a specific event, follow "how did things go" with a clarifying phrase, such as "how did things go with the presentation?" to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "how did things go" when seeking detailed explanations or analyses. The phrase is best for quick updates, not in-depth reviews.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how did things go" serves as an interrogative expression. It prompts a response detailing the outcome, progress, or overall experience of a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how did things go" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative expression to inquire about the outcome or progress of a situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts, appearing frequently in News & Media. While versatile, it's best used for seeking quick updates rather than detailed analyses. Remember to follow it with a clarifying phrase for context. Alternatives include "how did it turn out" and "what was the result".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how did that go

More concise, using 'that' as a general referent.

how did it turn out

Focuses on the final result or outcome, simplifying the wording.

what was the result

Directly asks for the outcome or consequence.

how did it work out

Emphasizes the process and its successful completion.

what happened in the end

Highlights the final events or developments.

how was the experience

Shifts the focus to the overall feeling and sensations.

can you give me an update

Requests a summary of the current status or progress.

what's the status

A professional or business-oriented request for progress.

how did you fare

Inquires about someone's condition or experience, particularly in a challenging situation. It's slightly more formal.

what's the latest

Asks for the newest information or developments.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "how did things go"?

You can use alternatives like "how did it turn out", "what was the result", or "how did it work out" depending on the context.

Is "how did things go" formal or informal?

The phrase "how did things go" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. It's suitable for casual conversations as well as professional check-ins.

How to use "how did things go" in a sentence?

You can use "how did things go" in a sentence like: "I was curious to know, "how did things go" at the meeting?" or "So, "how did things go" with your presentation?"

What's the difference between "how did things go" and "what happened"?

"How did things go" implies an inquiry about the process, progress, and overall outcome, whereas "what happened" simply asks for a description of the events. "How did things go" seeks a more holistic view.