As we all know, “How are you?” is one of the most common phrases in the English language, used as part of small talk, a conversation about things that are not important, often between people who do not know each other well. It’s typically used to ask about someone’s well-being or current state.
Example 1 (‘How are you?’ is used as part of the greeting):
Beth: Hi John, how are you?
John: Oh hi, Beth, I’m doing fine. Thanks!
Example 2 (‘How are you?’ is used to check on someone’s current state or mood):
Ann: I heard you weren’t feeling well yesterday. How are you today?
Jane: I’m feeling better, thank you.
Example 3 (‘How are you?’ is used as a casual conversation starter):
Mike: Hey Sarah, how are you doing these days?
Sarah: Hey Mike, well, I’m doing pretty well. In fact, I recently got a new job.
Let’s explore alternatives to ‘How are you?’ and how they can be naturally used in conversation.
In most cases, people respond to ‘How are you?’ with a brief statement about how they are feeling or what they’ve been up to, and the conversation can naturally progress from there. Asking ‘How are you?’ is considered polite and friendly in most English-speaking cultures as part of social interaction, which doesn’t always have to be casual; it can also occur in formal settings. For example:
John: Good morning, Mr. Smith. How are you today?
Mr. Smith: Good morning, John. I’m quite well, thank you. And yourself?
John: I’m doing well, thank you for asking. I wanted to discuss the quarterly report with you.
In this example, ‘How are you today?’ is used as a polite greeting to initiate the conversation in a formal setting between the colleagues. It helps set a friendly tone while acknowledging the other person’s well-being before moving on to more substantive topics.
Below is a list of phrases you can use instead of ‘How are you?’ for the same purpose: as a polite greeting, to check on someone’s state, or to start a relatively casual conversation.
Phrases Neutral in Tone
- How are you doing today?
- How are you feeling this morning/afternoon/evening?
- How are things with you?
- How have you been?
- How is everything going?
- How are things going for you?
- How are you faring?
When you are concerned about someone’s state of affairs, and want to express this in your question, you can use one of the phrases below to inquire about how someone is coping with their challenges.
- How are you holding up?
- How are you coping?
- How are you managing?
Mini Conversations & Ways to Respond
How are you doing today?
John: Hi Sarah, how are you doing today?
Sarah: I’m doing well, thank you. I had a productive morning so far. How about you?
John: Glad to hear that! I’m doing alright, thanks for asking.
How are you feeling this morning/afternoon/evening?
Emily: Hey Mark, how are you feeling this afternoon?
Mark: I’m feeling a bit tired, but overall okay. How about you?
Emily: I’m feeling pretty good. Thanks for asking.
How are things with you?
Alex: Hi Jessica, how are things with you?
Jessica: Things are going well, thanks. I’ve been busy with work, but it’s manageable. How about you?
Alex: I’m doing alright. Just trying to stay on top of everything.
How have you been?
David: Hey Anna, how have you been?
Anna: I’ve been good, thanks! How about yourself?
David: I’ve been alright, just keeping busy.
How is everything going?
Michael: Hi Lisa, how is everything going?
Lisa: Everything’s going smoothly, thanks. How about you?
Michael: I’m doing well, thanks for asking.
How are things going for you?
Chris: Hi Sarah, how are things going for you?
Sarah: Hey Chris, things are going pretty well, thanks. I’ve been keeping busy with work and some personal projects. How about you?
Chris: That’s good to hear! Things are going alright on my end too, just trying to stay organized.
How are you faring?*
Alex: Hi Emma, how are you faring?
Emma: Hi Alex, I‘m actually feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the deadlines this week, but I’m managing.
Alex: I understand. Is there anything I can do to help?
Emma: Thanks, Alex. I think I just need to prioritize my tasks better.
How are you holding up?
Sarah: Hey Jack, I’ve heard about what you’re going through. How are you holding up?
Jack: Hey Sarah, yes, I’ve been dealing with some family issues lately, but I’m hanging in there.
Sarah: I’m sorry to hear that. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to support you.
Jack: Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate it.
How are you coping?
Lisa: Hey Mike, I know you started this job not long ago, and I understand this can be a difficult time. How are you coping?
Mike: Hi Lisa, yes, I’m finding it challenging to balance work and personal commitments, but I’m managing.
Lisa: I understand. It can be tough. Maybe you can take some time off this weekend to relax?
Mike: That’s a good idea. I’ll consider it. Thanks, Lisa.
How are you managing?
David: Hi Emily, you look a bit overwhelmed. Is it because of work pressures? How are you managing?
Emily: Hi David, I’ve been juggling a lot lately with the new project at work, but I’m handling it.
David: It sounds busy. Let me know if you need any assistance with anything.
Emily: Thank you, David. I might take you up on that offer soon.
*The phrase ‘How are you faring?’ is a more formal and slightly old-fashioned way of asking someone how they are doing or how they are managing. The word “faring” comes from an old English word meaning to travel or go, but in modern usage, it means to get along or manage in a particular situation. So, ‘How are you faring?’ essentially asks about how someone is coping with current circumstances.
Informal Alternatives to ‘How Are You?’
What’s up?
Tom: Hey Alex, what’s up?
Alex: Not much, just chilling. How about you?
What’s going on?
Sarah: Hey Emily, what’s going on?
Emily: Oh, not too much, just catching up on some Netflix. How about you?
How’s life (treating you)?
Jack: Hey Mike, how’s life treating you?
Mike: Life’s been pretty good lately, thanks. How about yourself?
What have you been up to?
Emma: Hi Sam, what have you been up to?
Sam: I’ve been working a lot, but also went hiking last weekend. How about you?
What’s the word?*
Lisa: Hey Tom, I haven’t seen you in a while. What’s the word?
Tom: Well, I just had an awesome trip.
What’s new?
Chris: Hey Jess, what’s new?
Jess: Not a whole lot, just started a new book. How about you?
What’s shaking?
Mark: Hey Sarah, what’s shaking?
Sarah: Oh, not much, just trying to stay cool in this heat. How about you?
What’s the buzz?**
John: Hey Emma, what’s the buzz?
Emma: Not sure, I’ve been out of the loop. Anything exciting happening?
How’s tricks?
Alex: Hey Mike, how’s tricks?
Mike: Tricks are good! Just got back from a trip. How about you?
What’s cooking?
Jack: Hey Emily, what’s cooking?
Emily: Oh, you know, same old same old. Just trying to stay busy with work and hobbies. How about you?
Jack: I hear you. I’ve been keeping busy too, trying to juggle everything.
*‘What’s the word?’ can be used for two reasons: 1. as a greeting (see the example exchange above), and 2. to ask about the latest news/information (e.g., What’s the word on that new restaurant downtown? – Oh, they say the business is not going fine.)
**‘What’s the buzz?’ is typically used to ask someone if there is any exciting or interesting information circulating. It suggests a desire to know what people are talking about or what’s currently popular or trending: What’s the buzz around here lately? I feel like I’ve missed something.
Heads Up!
When responding to the various questions above, pay attention to the subject and tense used in each question. Compare these two responses:
1. ‘How are things?’ – ‘They are fine.’
2. ‘What’s cooking?’ – ‘Not much.’
3. ‘What have you been up to?’ – ‘I’ve been working on a new project.’
As you can see, the answers differ in their construction due to the different structures of the questions. Therefore, listen carefully to the questions, identify the tense and subject being used, and construct your answer accordingly. Practice doing that here. Match the questions to the most natural responses.
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