How's it going? is an informal way of asking how are you? or how are things going? People use it as a greeting with friends, colleagues and acquaintances, and nobody expects a long answer: Good, thanks or Not bad. With with, it asks about a particular task: How's it going with your thesis? means how is your thesis coming along?
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How's it going? → Good, thanks. / Not bad, you?; How's it going with + noun?; How's + noun + going?
- 'Hey Tom, how's it going?' 'Pretty good, thanks. I just got back from holiday.'
- How's it going with your thesis? Have you finished the first chapter yet?
- How's your Spanish course going? Are you still enjoying it?
What changed
First versionHi Sam! How is going your new job?
RevisionHi Sam! How is your new job going?
When you ask how something is progressing, English word order is fixed: How is, then the thing you're asking about (your new job), and going comes last. Putting going straight after is sounds wrong. If you don't name anything, the short question is How's it going?
How are you? works with anyone, while How's it going? sounds more relaxed and is used between people on equal terms. With a teacher or a new client, a neutral version is safer: Good morning, Dr Evans, how are you?
Your turn
'Hi Lena, how's it going?' '___, thanks. Busy week at work, but I can't complain.'
Show the answer
Not bad — Lena says it's a busy week but she can't complain, which is an ordinary “not bad”: Not bad. Normal may look like a way to say “fine”, but native speakers don't use it to answer a question about how things are.
Write an exchange with a colleague or classmate: they ask How's it going with… about a specific task, and you say how it's progressing and name one step you've already taken.
'How's it going with the move?' 'Not bad, thanks. We've packed the kitchen, and the van comes on Saturday.'
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