is he coming

USAGE SUMMARY

'Is he coming?' is a grammatically correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when asking a question about someone's presence and/or movements. For example: I'm about to leave for the event; is he coming?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

He was pacing back and forth and kept asking me, "Is he coming, should I go find him, is he coming?" "Jack said he'll be here.

Los Angeles Times

"Is the king coming to establish his rule again or is he coming to head an interim setup?" The meeting continues Thursday.

The New York Times

Where is he coming from?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

How is he coming across on this one?

The New Yorker

It was like, 'Where is he coming from?

The New York Times

"The only thing she keeps saying is, 'When is he coming home?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Where's he coming from?

The New Yorker

What time was he coming?

The Guardian

Why was he coming here?

Vice

He is not coming, is he? [he is not coming] F [is he Open image in new window ].

Lingua Sinica

(69) He is not coming, is he?   (70) [he is not coming] F [is he Open image in new window ]  .

Lingua Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is he coming", ensure the context is clear, specifying who 'he' refers to, especially if it's not immediately obvious to your audience.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the pronoun 'he' clearly refers to a specific individual already mentioned or known to the audience. Otherwise, replace "he" with the person's name or a more specific descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is he coming" functions primarily as an interrogative clause, specifically a yes/no question. It seeks confirmation regarding a male individual's intended arrival or participation in a particular event or location. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is he coming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used question phrase intended to inquire whether a male individual is arriving or attending something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and appears commonly in various contexts, especially News & Media. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the pronoun 'he' refers to someone clearly identified to avoid confusion. More formal alternatives like "shall we expect him" and "is his presence confirmed" can be used when a more formal tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will he be here

Focuses on the person's presence at a specific location.

is he arriving

Emphasizes the act of arrival.

is he expected

Focuses on expectation of someone's arrival.

shall we expect him

A more formal way of asking if the person is expected.

is he attending

Focuses on the person's participation in an event.

do you anticipate his arrival

Formal and emphasizes anticipation of the arrival.

when will he arrive

Asks about the time of arrival.

is his presence confirmed

Asks whether the person's presence has been officially verified.

what time is he expected

Asks about a specific expectation about his arrival time.

should we wait for him

Suggests that their arrival is uncertain and ask whether there is the need to postpone.

FAQs

How do I use "is he coming" in a sentence?

Use "is he coming" to inquire whether a specific male individual is arriving, attending, or participating in something. For example, "I'm about to leave for the event; "is he coming"?"

What's a more formal way to ask "is he coming"?

More formal alternatives include "shall we expect him?" or "is his presence confirmed?"

What can I say instead of "is he coming" to focus on arrival time?

To focus on the time of arrival, ask "when will he arrive?" or "what time is he expected?"

Which is correct, "is he coming" or "he is coming"?

"Is he coming?" is a question, while "He is coming" is a statement. Use the question form when inquiring about someone's arrival and the statement form when confirming their arrival.