how were you doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how were you doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to inquire about someone's well-being or state in the past. Example: "I was just thinking about you and wanted to ask, how were you doing during those tough times?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And how were you doing?

The New York Times - Magazine

How were you doing — was it a regular scheduled trip, or an impromptu visit because of a persistent cold?

TechCrunch

To measure the temporal nature of the gap in terms of perceptions of their actual and aspirational past, present and future QoL according to the Leval's theory and Calman's definition of QoL, participants were asked to rate the status of each nominated SEIQoL cue (i.e. how were you doing?) based on the following questions: Past: - Where were you before you got depressed?

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

How are you doing?

The New York Times

So how are you doing?

The New Yorker

" 'Hey, how are you doing?

The New York Times

How are you doing now?

The New York Times

Haha how are you doing?

Independent

I'm good how are you doing?

The New Yorker

"How are you doing this evening?

The New York Times

They say, "Hi, how are you doing?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how were you doing", ensure the context clearly refers to a past period. Provide enough information to clarify the time frame you're asking about to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "how were you doing" when you should be using "how are you doing". The former refers to a specific period in the past, while the latter refers to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how were you doing" functions as an interrogative clause used to inquire about someone's well-being, progress, or state of affairs during a specific period in the past. As Ludwig indicates, it seeks information about a past condition or experience.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how were you doing" is a phrase used to ask about someone's condition or performance during a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and functions as an interrogative clause. While the phrase itself is valid, pay attention to the tense and context to avoid confusion with present-tense inquiries. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. Consider alternatives such as "how had you been" or "how were things going for you" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how had you been

Focuses on the state of being before a specific point in time.

how were you holding up

Asks about someone's ability to cope under difficult circumstances.

how were things going for you

Inquires about the general progress or state of affairs in someone's life.

how were you managing

Inquires about someone's ability to handle or control a situation.

how were you feeling

Specifically asks about emotional or physical well-being.

how did it go for you

Asks about the outcome or result of an event or undertaking.

how did you fare

Asks about someone's success or experience in a particular situation.

what shape were you in

Focuses on the overall condition, whether physical, emotional, or mental.

what was your experience like

Seeks a description of someone's overall encounter or situation.

what was your state of affairs

Seeks a general description of someone's circumstances or situation.

FAQs

What's the difference between "how were you doing" and "how are you doing"?

"How were you doing" refers to a past state or period, while "how are you doing" inquires about the current state. For example, "I heard you were sick last week, "how were you doing" then?" versus "Hello, "how are you doing" today?".

When is it appropriate to use "how were you doing"?

Use "how were you doing" when you're asking about someone's well-being or progress during a specific past event or period. The context should clearly indicate that you are referring to the past.

What can I say instead of "how were you doing"?

You can use alternatives like "how had you been", "how were things going for you", or "how were you feeling", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "how were you doing" refer to performance rather than well-being?

Yes, "how were you doing" can refer to someone's performance or progress in a task or activity, not just their well-being. For example, ""how were you doing" on your exams last semester?"