what s up

USAGE SUMMARY

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ask me to tell you what' s up and then listen with an open mind was more likely among participants with severe depression (91%) or moderate depression (91%) compared with those with mild depression (69%) or moderately severe depression (71%) (χ=13.8, p<0.01).

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

What's up, kid?

The New Yorker

What's up, Rory.

The New York Times

"What's up Harold?

The New York Times

What's up, son?

The New Yorker

What's up, gangstas?

The New York Times

What's up with that?

The New York Times

What's up with Estonia?

The New York Times

Driver's ed? What's up?

Independent

So what's up with Mr. Rove?

The New York Times

TED NUGENT What's up, Mitt!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what s up" in informal settings with people you know well. Avoid using it in formal or professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "what s up" in business emails or formal presentations. Opt for more professional greetings like "how are you" or "good morning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what s up" primarily functions as an interjection and greeting. It is used to initiate conversations and inquire about the other person's well-being or current activities, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what s up" is a common and informal greeting, primarily used to initiate conversation or inquire about someone's well-being. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's best suited for informal contexts, such as conversations with friends and family. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage, with examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. However, it is not appropriate for professional or academic environments, where more formal greetings are preferred. Alternatives include "how are you?" or "what's going on", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how's it going

Similar in tone and usage but with a slightly different phrasing.

what's going on

Focuses more on ongoing events or situations.

what's happening

Emphasizes current events or situations.

how are you doing

A more formal and polite inquiry about well-being.

what's new

Specifically asks about recent updates or happenings.

what are you up to

Asks about current activities or plans.

how's everything

Broader inquiry about all aspects of someone's life or situation.

how have you been

Focuses on the recent past and overall well-being.

what's the matter

Used when sensing something might be wrong.

anything exciting going on

Looking for positive or interesting updates.

FAQs

How do I respond when someone asks "what s up"?

You can respond with what you're currently doing, if anything new is happening, or simply "nothing much". It depends on your relationship with the person asking.

Is "what s up" appropriate in a professional setting?

Generally, no. It's best to use more formal greetings like "how are you?" or "good morning/afternoon" in professional environments.

What can I say instead of "what s up" in a formal context?

Consider using alternatives such as "how are you", "how are you doing", or "good morning" depending on the situation.

Is there a difference between "what s up" and "what's going on"?

"What s up" is usually a general greeting, while "what's going on" often implies an inquiry about a specific situation or event.