The phrase “How is it going?” is a common way to greet someone and ask about their well-being or current situation.
However, using the same phrase repeatedly can make conversations feel monotonous.
Whether you’re aiming for a more formal, casual, or creative approach, having a variety of alternatives can make your interactions more engaging.
In this blog post, we will explore 20 other ways to say “How is it going?” that can help you diversify your greetings, whether in personal conversations or professional settings.
20 Other Ways to Say “How Is It Going?”
- How are you?
- How’s everything?
- How’s life?
- How have you been?
- What’s up?
- What’s new?
- How’s your day going?
- How’s it been?
- How’s things?
- How’s your week been?
- How are things going?
- How’s work (or school)?
- What’s going on?
- How are you holding up?
- How’s everything been?
- What’s happening?
- How’s your day treating you?
- How’s your world?
- How’s it hanging?
- How’s your end?
1. How are you?
Definition: A general greeting that asks about a person’s well-being.
Description: This is one of the most commonly used alternatives. It’s neutral and can be used in both casual and formal settings.
Usage Examples:
- How are you? I haven’t seen you in a while!
- Hey, how are you? Hope everything is going well.
2. How’s everything?
Definition: A casual way to check in on someone’s overall situation.
Description: This phrase is often used when you want to ask about a person’s life in general, not just their mood or emotions.
Usage Examples:
- How’s everything? Work keeping you busy?
- I just wanted to check in—how’s everything going with you?
3. How’s life?
Definition: A friendly and informal way to ask about someone’s overall situation.
Description: This greeting works well with friends, family, or colleagues when you want to know how things are going in their life.
Usage Examples:
- Hey! How’s life? Anything exciting happening?
- It’s been a while! How’s life treating you these days?
4. How have you been?
Definition: A phrase used to ask how someone has been doing over a period of time.
Description: This is great for conversations when you haven’t seen someone in a while and want to know how they’ve been since your last meeting.
Usage Examples:
- Long time no see! How have you been?
- Hey, it’s been ages! How have you been lately?
5. What’s up?
Definition: A casual greeting used to ask what someone is doing or how they are.
Description: This is an informal, everyday phrase commonly used among friends. It can mean “How are you?” or simply be a way to start a conversation.
Usage Examples:
- Yo! What’s up? How was your weekend?
- Hey, what’s up? Haven’t seen you in a while.
6. What’s new?
Definition: A greeting used to ask about recent updates in someone’s life.
Description: This phrase is useful when you want to know about any changes or exciting news from the person you’re talking to.
Usage Examples:
- Hey, what’s new? Anything interesting happening?
- What’s new? How’s work treating you?
7. How’s your day going?
Definition: A polite way to ask about someone’s day.
Description: This is often used during the day to check in on someone and see how they’re feeling or how their activities are going.
Usage Examples:
- Good morning! How’s your day going?
- I hope you’re having a good one! How’s your day going?
8. How’s it been?
Definition: A casual way to ask how someone has been doing.
Description: This phrase is great for reconnecting with someone and checking in on their well-being.
Usage Examples:
- Hey! How’s it been? Haven’t seen you in a while.
- How’s it been? Hope everything is going well!
9. How’s things?
Definition: An informal way to ask about someone’s general state.
Description: This phrase is commonly used in British English but is also understood in American English as a friendly greeting.
Usage Examples:
- Hey! How’s things? All good on your end?
- How’s things going at work these days?
10. How’s your week been?
Definition: A phrase used to ask how someone’s entire week has gone.
Description: This is useful for conversations happening later in the week or at the end of a work/school period.
Usage Examples:
- Happy Friday! How’s your week been?
- We haven’t talked in a few days—how’s your week been?
11. How are things going?
Definition: A casual way to check in on someone’s overall situation.
Description: This phrase works well in both personal and professional settings. It’s slightly more detailed than “How’s it going?” and invites a broader response.
Usage Examples:
- Hey! How are things going? You seem busy lately.
- Just checking in—how are things going at work?
12. How’s work (or school)?
Definition: A specific way to ask about someone’s job or studies.
Description: This is a great way to personalize your greeting, especially if you know the person well and want to focus on their professional or academic life.
Usage Examples:
- Hey, how’s work treating you lately?
- Haven’t seen you in a while! How’s school going?
13. What’s going on?
Definition: A casual way to ask about someone’s current activities.
Description: This phrase is often used to start a conversation and can be used in both formal and informal settings, depending on the tone.
Usage Examples:
- Hey! What’s going on? Anything exciting?
- I saw your post online—what’s going on with that new project?
14. How are you holding up?
Definition: A phrase used to check on someone’s emotional or physical well-being.
Description: This is especially useful when someone has been going through a tough time or is busy with a challenging task.
Usage Examples:
- I know you’ve been working long hours—how are you holding up?
- After everything that happened, how are you holding up?
15. How’s everything been?
Definition: A polite and friendly way to ask about someone’s overall well-being.
Description: This is slightly more formal than “How’s everything?” and works well in emails, text messages, or face-to-face conversations.
Usage Examples:
- Long time no talk! How’s everything been?
- Just checking in—how’s everything been with you?
16. What’s happening?
Definition: A casual way to ask about current events in someone’s life.
Description: This phrase is often used in relaxed conversations and can also be a substitute for “What’s up?”
Usage Examples:
- Hey, what’s happening? How was your weekend?
- What’s happening in your world these days?
17. How’s your day treating you?
Definition: A thoughtful way to ask about someone’s day.
Description: This phrase feels warm and caring, making it great for both casual and professional conversations.
Usage Examples:
- Morning! How’s your day treating you so far?
- You look tired—how’s your day treating you?
18. How’s your world?
Definition: A creative and open-ended way to ask about someone’s life.
Description: This phrase makes conversations feel more personal and inviting, allowing the other person to share as much or as little as they like.
Usage Examples:
- Hey, friend! How’s your world these days?
- Haven’t seen you in a while—how’s your world going?
19. How’s it hanging?
Definition: A very informal way to ask how someone is doing.
Description: This phrase is mostly used between friends and in relaxed social settings. It’s not suitable for professional conversations.
Usage Examples:
- Hey, dude! How’s it hanging?
- Been a while, bro! How’s it hanging?
20. How’s your end?
Definition: A unique way to ask about someone’s situation.
Description: This phrase is often used when communicating from a distance, like in phone calls or messages, asking how things are on the other person’s side.
Usage Examples:
- We’ve been so busy! How’s your end?
- I told you about my work—how’s your end going?
Conclusion:
Asking “How is it going?” can be done in many creative and friendly ways, depending on the context and your relationship with the person.
Whether you’re using casual expressions like “What’s up?” or “How’s everything?” or more formal alternatives like “How have you been?” or “How are things progressing?”, the goal remains the same—to engage and show interest in someone’s well-being or progress.
Choosing the right phrase can make your conversation more engaging and relatable, offering a better connection with the person you’re speaking to.
