what's going on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "What's going on?" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone what is happening, what events are transpiring, or what is the current situation. For example, "What's going on? I haven't heard any news from the office today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everybody's like, 'What's going on?

The New York Times

But what's going on?

The New Yorker

So what's going on?

The New York Times

"He said, 'What's going on?

The New Yorker

What's going on in there?

The New York Times

"What's going on?" you ask.

The New York Times

What's going on with her?

The New Yorker

"Tell me what's going on".

The New York Times

What's going on is serious.

The New York Times

"What's going on?" he said.

The New Yorker

"What's going on?" Of course.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what's going on" to inquire about a situation when you sense something is unusual or requires explanation. It's appropriate in most informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "what's going on" in highly formal or professional documents; opt for more sophisticated phrasing like "what is the current situation?" or "could you please provide an update?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what's going on" functions as an interrogative expression used to seek information about a current situation or event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common and correct way to inquire.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what's going on" is a versatile and commonly used inquiry, suitable for a range of situations where clarification is needed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, its informality suggests reserving it for everyday conversations rather than formal documentation. Alternatives such as "what is happening" or "what is the situation" may be more appropriate for professional environments. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing the best way to ask about ongoing events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is happening

More formal phrasing using "is happening" instead of "'s going on".

what's happening

Shorter, more direct alternative to "what's going on".

what is occurring

A more formal and less common alternative.

what's up

More informal and casual greeting.

what is the matter

Focuses on a problem or issue.

what's the problem

Directly asks about an existing issue.

what's the situation

Asks for an overview of the current state of affairs.

can you explain what's happening

Requests an explanation of events.

what has happened

Focuses on past events or occurrences.

what's the deal

Informal way of asking for an explanation or the reason behind something.

FAQs

How to use "what's going on" in a sentence?

Use "what's going on" to inquire about a situation that requires explanation or when something seems unusual. For example, "Hey, "what's going on" here? Why is everyone gathered around the printer?"

What can I say instead of "what's going on"?

You can use alternatives like "what's happening", "what is occurring", or the informal "what's up" depending on the context.

Is "what's going on" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what's going on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It is a contraction of "what is going on".

When is it inappropriate to use "what's going on"?

It is generally inappropriate to use "what's going on" in very formal or professional settings. More formal alternatives such as "what is the situation" or "could you please provide an update?" would be more suitable.