Do you ever feel like you’re asking, “How is it going?” on autopilot, only to receive equally automatic responses? This overused question can make conversations feel stale and uninspired.
We’ve compiled a list of ten creative alternatives to “How is it going?” to help you breathe new life into your daily interactions and encourage more meaningful exchanges.
These fresh phrases, complete with examples, will not only make your conversations more engaging but also show genuine interest in the lives of those you speak with.
Is it Professional to Say, “How’s it going?”
Yes, “How’s it going?” can be professional in casual or informal business settings. However, its appropriateness depends on the context and the relationship between the people involved. For more formal settings, it might be better to use a more conventional greeting like “How are you?” or “Good to see you.”
What To Say Instead of “How Is It Going?”
Here are ten alternative ways to ask, “How is it going?”:
- “What’s new with you?”
- “How’s everything coming along?”
- “What’s up?”
- “How are things?”
- “Everything alright?”
- “What’s happening?”
- “How have you been?”
- “All good?”
- “How’s your day looking?”
- “What’s going on?”
1. What’s new with you?
“What’s new with you?” is a warm and friendly way to initiate conversation, showing genuine interest in any recent changes or updates in someone’s life.
This phrase is versatile and suitable for both casual encounters and catching up with old friends.
It invites the other person to share news or experiences they find significant, fostering a sense of connection and care.
Usage example:
At a class reunion, you might approach a former classmate and cheerfully inquire, “What’s new with you? I’ve been looking forward to catching up!”
2. How’s everything coming along?
“How’s everything coming along?” is a considerate and thoughtful way to ask about ongoing projects or situations.
It demonstrates an awareness of the other person’s endeavors and conveys a sincere hope that progress is being made.
This question is particularly useful in professional contexts or when discussing long-term personal goals.
Usage example:
During a project review meeting, you could ask your team, “How’s everything coming along? Are we on track with the development milestones?”
3. What’s up?
“What’s up?” is a casual and widely used expression perfect for informal settings. It is a relaxed way to greet someone while opening the door to discuss anything on their mind, from trivial matters to more significant news.
Usage example:
When you bump into a friend at a café, you might casually ask, “What’s up? Haven’t seen you around in a while!”
4. How are things?
“How are things?” is a broad and open-ended question that allows people to share details about their life or work as they see fit.
It is polite and shows that you care about the person’s overall well-being without prying too deeply into specific details unless they share more.
Usage example:
On a phone call with a distant family member, you might begin the conversation by asking, “How are things? I hope everything is going well with you.”
5. Everything alright?
“Everything alright?” expresses concern and a readiness to support or help if needed. It is particularly appropriate when you sense that someone might be facing challenges or when their demeanor suggests they are not their usual self.
Usage example:
If you notice a coworker seems quieter than usual, you might approach them and gently ask, “Everything alright? You seem a bit off today, and I want to make sure you’re okay.”
6. What’s happening?
“What’s happening?” is a casual, upbeat way to greet someone and invite them to share current or recent events.
It’s particularly common among friends and informal groups, creating a lively, conversational tone.
Usage example:
As you join a group at a party, you might greet everyone with a smile and ask, “What’s happening? I feel like I’ve missed out on the fun!”
7. How have you been?
“How have you been?” is a considerate inquiry that asks how long it has been since you last communicated with someone.
It shows that you value the relationship and are interested in their life beyond the present moment.
Usage example:
When reconnecting with an old friend via message, you might start with, “How have you been? It’s been too long since our last catch-up!”
8. All good?
“All good?” is a quick and easy way to check in on someone’s status, asking if everything is fine in a very laid-back manner.
It’s perfect for casual interactions where you want to show concern without making it seem too serious.
Usage example:
After a friend has tried something new or challenging, you could casually ask, “All good? How did it go?”
9. How’s your day looking?
“How’s your day looking?” is a great way to understand someone’s plans without being intrusive. It gives the person an opportunity to outline their day or vent about their busy schedule, showing that you care about their daily routine.
Usage example:
In the morning, you might text a friend, “How’s your day looking? Want to grab coffee if you’re free?”
10. What’s going on?
“What’s going on?” is a versatile phrase that can be used to ask about immediate happenings or general life updates.
Depending on the tone and context, it’s equally at home in casual conversations and more serious discussions.
Usage example:
When you enter a room where everyone seems agitated, you might ask, “What’s going on? Is there anything I can help with?”