how it goes

USAGE SUMMARY

"how it goes" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation or process in general, such as "This is how it goes - you'll need to sign up for an account, then submit your application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

See how it goes.

The New York Times

"That's how it goes sometimes".

The New York Times - Sports

Here is how it goes.

The New York Times

Which is how it goes.

The New Yorker

You know how it goes.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We'll see how it goes".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

This is how it went.

The New York Times - Sports

I was pleased with how it went.

The New York Times

His assessment of how it went?

The New York Times - Sports

How it went: Pretty well!

The Washington Post

Here's how it went.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how it goes" to convey a sense of acceptance or resignation when describing an unavoidable situation.

Common error

Avoid using "how it goes" when you intend to express a plan or expectation for the future. Instead, use phrases like "what will happen" or "the expected outcome".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how it goes" functions as an idiomatic expression. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to describe the general course of events, often implying acceptance or resignation. Examples from Ludwig show it being used to explain procedures or acknowledge inevitable outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how it goes" is a versatile idiomatic phrase used to express acceptance, describe processes, or acknowledge inevitability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. Its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news and media, but it's generally considered neutral to informal. When aiming for greater formality, alternative phrases like "the process unfolds" or "the situation develops" may be more appropriate. Remember to use it to express acceptance of a situation, rather than to describe future intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's the way it is

Emphasizes acceptance of an unchangeable situation or outcome.

that's how things are

Highlights the current state of affairs, often implying resignation.

it is what it is

Focuses on accepting a situation without trying to change it.

that's just life

Acknowledges that difficulties and disappointments are a normal part of existence.

the way of things

Suggests that events follow a predictable pattern or natural course.

the process is like this

Describes a specific method or sequence of actions.

this is the procedure

Explains a formal or established way of doing something.

this is what happens

Describes a typical or expected outcome in a given situation.

such is life

A philosophical expression recognizing the ups and downs of life.

that's the nature of the beast

Indicates that a particular problem or difficulty is inherent and unavoidable.

FAQs

How can I use "how it goes" in a sentence?

You can use "how it goes" to express acceptance of a situation, like in the sentence "That's just "how it goes" sometimes when you're learning a new skill".

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

While "how it goes" is generally informal, you could use phrases like "the process unfolds" or "the situation develops" in more formal contexts.

Is "how it goes" appropriate for professional communication?

It can be acceptable in casual professional settings, but consider alternatives like "the procedure" or "the expected outcome" for greater formality.

What's the difference between "how it goes" and "how it went"?

"How it goes" refers to a present or future situation, while "how it went" refers to a past event or experience.