In 15 Seconds
- A relaxed way to say 'How are you?' in daily life.
- Usually answered with 'Good' or 'Not bad', even if life is messy.
- Perfect for friends, coworkers, and casual acquaintances in most settings.
Meaning
This is a friendly way to ask someone how they are or how their life is moving along. It is like asking 'How are you?' but it feels much more relaxed and natural.
Key Examples
3 of 6Greeting a neighbor
Hey Mark, how's it going?
Hey Mark, how's it going?
Starting a Zoom meeting
Hi everyone, how's it going today?
Hi everyone, how's it going today?
Texting a close friend
How's it going? Want to grab pizza later?
How's it going? Want to grab pizza later?
Cultural Background
It is often used as a 'drive-by' greeting. You can say it while walking past someone without stopping. A simple 'Good!' in return is expected. While common, it often alternates with 'Alright?'. In the UK, 'Alright?' is frequently used as a greeting that doesn't actually require an answer. Often appended with 'mate'. Australians use it frequently in very casual settings, often shortening the 'going' to 'goin'. The phrase has evolved into the unique slang word 'Howzit', which serves as a universal greeting across many South African cultures. In tech and startups, this is the standard way to start meetings. It signals a 'flat hierarchy' where everyone is on friendly terms. Learners from these regions often find the phrase frustrating because they expect a literal question. They might feel it is 'fake' when Americans don't wait for a real answer.
The 2-Second Rule
If you're passing someone, keep your answer under 2 seconds. 'Good, thanks!' is perfect.
Avoid Literalism
Don't tell your whole life story unless you're sitting down for coffee.
In 15 Seconds
- A relaxed way to say 'How are you?' in daily life.
- Usually answered with 'Good' or 'Not bad', even if life is messy.
- Perfect for friends, coworkers, and casual acquaintances in most settings.
What It Means
How's it going? is a standard greeting in English. It asks about the general state of your life right now. The it refers to your life, your day, or your current situation. It is not a literal question about movement. It is a way to acknowledge someone and start a conversation. Most people use it as a polite 'hello'.
How To Use It
Use this phrase when you see someone you know. You can say it while walking past a neighbor. You can also use it to start a phone call. The most common answer is Good, thanks! or Not bad. You do not need to give a long list of your problems. Even if your day is terrible, a short I'm alright is usually enough. It is more of a social ritual than a deep medical inquiry. If you are feeling extra chatty, you can say Great, how about you? to keep the ball rolling.
When To Use It
Use it in almost any casual or semi-professional setting. It works perfectly at the coffee shop or the gym. It is great for colleagues you see every day in the office. Use it when texting a friend to see what they are up to. It feels warm and approachable. It is the 'blue jeans' of English greetings—comfortable and fits almost everywhere.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in very solemn or extremely formal situations. Do not say it to a judge in a courtroom. Do not use it at a funeral or during a very serious business negotiation. If you are meeting a King or a President, stick to How do you do? instead. Also, do not use it if you actually want a 20-minute medical report. It is a 'fast' greeting, not a therapy session.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, especially in the US and Canada, people value 'friendly efficiency'. We want to be nice, but we are often in a hurry. How's it going? became the perfect middle ground. It sounds kinder than a simple Hi. It shows you care about the other person's vibe. Interestingly, in some places like Australia, it might morph into How's it gaan? with a different accent. It reflects a culture that prefers being laid-back over being stiff and formal.
Common Variations
How's everything?(A bit broader)How's your day going?(Focuses on today)What's up?(Very casual/slang)How are things?(Focuses on life events)How's it hanging?(Very informal, use only with close friends!)
Usage Notes
This phrase is the 'Goldilocks' of greetings—not too formal, not too slangy. It is safe for 90% of your daily interactions in English-speaking countries.
The 2-Second Rule
If you're passing someone, keep your answer under 2 seconds. 'Good, thanks!' is perfect.
Avoid Literalism
Don't tell your whole life story unless you're sitting down for coffee.
The 'Return' is Key
Always ask 'You?' or 'How about you?' back to keep the social balance.
The British 'Alright?'
If you're in London, you might hear 'Alright?' instead. You can actually answer 'Alright?' back as a response!
Examples
6Hey Mark, how's it going?
Hey Mark, how's it going?
A standard way to acknowledge someone you live near.
Hi everyone, how's it going today?
Hi everyone, how's it going today?
Used to break the ice before getting down to business.
How's it going? Want to grab pizza later?
How's it going? Want to grab pizza later?
A natural conversation starter via text.
I see you dropped your whole lunch... how's it going?
I see you dropped your whole lunch... how's it going?
Using the phrase sarcastically when things are clearly going poorly.
I heard the news. How's it going? Are you holding up okay?
I heard the news. How's it going? Are you holding up okay?
The tone shifts to be more sincere and caring.
How's it going? Can I get a medium latte, please?
How's it going? Can I get a medium latte, please?
Polite 'small talk' before making a request.
Test Yourself
Choose the most natural response to 'How's it going?' in a casual hallway meeting.
Person A: 'Hey! How's it going?' Person B: '________'
'Not bad, thanks! You?' is the standard polite, casual response.
Complete the phrase used to ask about a specific task.
How's it going ______ your new project?
We use 'with' to specify the subject of the 'going'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Which situation is 'How's it going?' NOT appropriate for?
Meeting royalty requires formal language like 'How do you do?' or 'Your Majesty'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'How's it going?' B: 'Pretty good. ______ ______ with you?'
The most natural way to return the question is to repeat the phrase.
Match the greeting to its formality level.
1. How do you do? / 2. How's it going? / 3. What's up?
This shows the spectrum of formality in English greetings.
Identify the 'dummy subject' in the phrase.
In 'How's it going?', what does 'it' refer to?
'It' is an ambient subject referring to the general state of things.
🎉 Score: /6
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale
Practice Bank
6 exercisesPerson A: 'Hey! How's it going?' Person B: '________'
'Not bad, thanks! You?' is the standard polite, casual response.
How's it going ______ your new project?
We use 'with' to specify the subject of the 'going'.
Which situation is 'How's it going?' NOT appropriate for?
Meeting royalty requires formal language like 'How do you do?' or 'Your Majesty'.
A: 'How's it going?' B: 'Pretty good. ______ ______ with you?'
The most natural way to return the question is to repeat the phrase.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
This shows the spectrum of formality in English greetings.
In 'How's it going?', what does 'it' refer to?
'It' is an ambient subject referring to the general state of things.
🎉 Score: /6
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNot at all! It's very friendly. However, it might be too casual for a job interview or a formal ceremony.
In a casual setting, you can say 'Hangin' in there' or 'Could be better.' This signals things aren't great without being too heavy.
In most modern offices, yes. If your boss is very traditional or formal, stick to 'How are you?'.
It's a 'dummy subject' that refers to the general situation or life in general.
They are very similar. 'How's it going?' feels slightly more about the 'situation,' while 'How are you doing?' feels slightly more about the 'person.'
In casual speech, most native speakers drop it: 'How's it goin'?'
Yes, in a casual or semi-formal email to someone you know. 'Hi John, hope you're well. How's it going?'
The most common answer is 'Good,' followed by 'Not bad' or 'Pretty good.'
Yes, but it sounds much more deliberate and less natural in casual conversation.
Yes, it's very common in the UK, though 'Alright?' and 'How are you?' are also very popular.
Yes! Just add 'with [thing]'. Example: 'How's it going with your new car?'
No, it's 'informal' or 'colloquial,' but not slang. It's standard English that everyone understands.
If you're just passing someone, a smile or a nod is sometimes enough, but a quick 'Good!' is better.
Both are correct, but 'How's it going' is used 95% of the time in speech.
Related Phrases
How are you?
similarStandard inquiry about well-being.
What's up?
similarVery casual greeting.
How's everything?
synonymAsking about all aspects of life.
How are you doing?
similarCasual inquiry about state of being.
How's it hanging?
specialized formVery casual, slightly dated slang.
How's life?
similarAsking about someone's general life status.
