know how things are going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "know how things are going" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the status or progress of a situation or project. Example: "I just wanted to check in and see if you know how things are going with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

You never know how things are going.

The New York Times - Sports

So you never know how things are going to go".

Independent

You don't know how things are going to come out.

Independent

You never know how things are going to turn out.

Princeton University

How will you know how things are going?

The New York Times

I don't even want to know how things are going day to day".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I went home last week and I had no clue, I just didn't know how things were going to go from there.

The New York Times - Sports

— isn't valid, for the simple reason that we did not know how things were going to turn out.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They kept pestering me on the phone, wanting to know how things were going," she says in "Glory Denied".

The New York Times - Books

It was good for us sometimes to express how we were feeling and let them know how things were going for us.

The Guardian

"One time I was pumping gas at a Texaco station, it was Christmas Eve, and she wanted to know how things were going.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use active listening and ask targeted questions, otherwise it could be considered rhetorical: "Do you know how things are going?".

Common error

While acceptable, "know how things are going" can sound informal in certain professional settings. Opt for alternatives like "ascertain the status" or "monitor progress" in formal reports or presentations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know how things are going" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the current state or progress of a particular situation or activity. Ludwig AI states that it's correct and usable in English. It seeks to understand the unfolding events or the status of something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

20%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "know how things are going" is a grammatically correct phrase used to inquire about the status or progress of a situation. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is relatively rare, often appearing in news and media or academic contexts. For more formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "understand the current situation" or "monitor progress". Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get an update on the situation

This implies seeking current information, making it suitable for scenarios needing the latest news.

be aware of the progress

This alternative emphasizes the advancement aspect, suitable when monitoring development is key.

be informed about the status

This phrase highlights the aspect of receiving updates about the condition or standing of something.

check on the development

This focuses specifically on monitoring how something is evolving or unfolding.

understand the current situation

This alternative offers a broader perspective by focusing on the complete context rather than just progress.

monitor the situation

This alternative suggests continuous observation to track changes and progress.

find out what's happening

This option is more casual and focuses on discovering current events or developments.

keep abreast of developments

This phrase indicates staying up-to-date with the latest changes and advancements.

ascertain the state of affairs

A more formal alternative, it suggests a careful and thorough determination of the situation.

assess the current standing

This implies evaluating the present condition or position of something relative to expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "know how things are going" in a sentence?

You can use "know how things are going" when you want to inquire about the current status or progress of a situation. For example, you might ask, "Do you "know how things are going" with the project?"

What can I say instead of "know how things are going"?

You can use alternatives like "understand the current situation", "be aware of the progress", or "get an update on the situation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "know how things are going"?

It is appropriate to use "know how things are going" in informal or neutral contexts when inquiring about progress or status. In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "ascertain the state of affairs".

Is "know how things are going" too informal for business communication?

While understandable, "know how things are going" might be perceived as too casual for formal business settings. Opt for alternatives like "monitor the situation" or "assess the current standing" to maintain a professional tone.