how things went

USAGE SUMMARY

"how things went" can be used in written English.
It is often used in a context to ask for a summary of what happened in a particular situation. For example, "Can you tell me how things went at the meeting this morning?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

This was how things went.

The New Yorker

"I'm very excited about how things went".

The New York Times - Sports

No one can say how things went".

The Guardian

No word on how things went.

The New York Times

But I'm happy with how things went".

The New York Times - Sports

This isn't a story of how things went wrong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It's how things go".

The New York Times - Sports

Which is not usually how things go.

The New Yorker

And see how things go.

Harvard Business Review

That's how things go.

The New York Times - Travel

So we'll see how things go.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how things went" when seeking a narrative or explanation of past events, rather than just a simple yes/no answer or a single data point.

Common error

Avoid using "how things went" when referring to future events; use "how things will go" or "how things turn out" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how things went" functions as a relative clause, often used as a noun clause acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig provides many examples where it serves to inquire about or describe the progression and outcome of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how things went" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about or describe the progression and outcome of events. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it functions primarily as a relative clause, often serving as the object of a verb, and is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to casual conversations. While it is versatile, it's crucial to avoid using it when referring to future events and to consider more formal alternatives in professional settings. According to Ludwig AI, its neutral register and frequent appearance in news and media underscore its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how it turned out

Focuses on the final result or outcome of a situation.

what happened

A more general inquiry about the events that transpired.

how it played out

Emphasizes the unfolding or progression of events.

the course of events

Highlights the sequence and development of a situation.

the way things unfolded

Focuses on the manner in which events revealed themselves.

what transpired

A more formal way of asking about the events that occurred.

how the situation developed

Emphasizes the evolution and progression of the circumstances.

the outcome of the matter

Directly refers to the final result or conclusion.

the progress made

Focuses specifically on the advancement or development achieved.

the resolution of the issue

Highlights the point at which a problem or conflict was resolved.

FAQs

What does "how things went" mean?

The phrase "how things went" is used to inquire about or describe the manner in which a series of events unfolded or the outcome of a situation. It's often used to get a summary or explanation of what happened.

What's a more formal way to ask "how things went"?

For a more formal alternative, you could ask "what transpired" or "how did the situation develop?" These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Can I use "how things went" to talk about the future?

No, "how things went" refers to past events. To talk about future events, use phrases like "how things will go" or "how it will turn out".

What can I say instead of "how things went" in an email?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "what happened", "how it turned out", or "the outcome". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and content of your email.