Cool MateHow's it going over here vs What's up?
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
How's it going over here
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
What's up?
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
| How's it going over here | What's up? | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //haʊz ɪt ˈɡəʊɪŋ ˈəʊvə hɪə//🇺🇸 //haʊz ɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ ˈoʊvər hɪr// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ʌp//🇺🇸 //wɑts ʌp// |
| Meaning | A casual way to ask someone how they are doing. | A casual way to ask someone how they are or what's happening. |
| Example | Hey! How's it going over here with the project? | When I saw my friend, I casually said, 'What's up?' |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | How's it going, How's it going today, How's it going with you | What's up, buddy?, What's up, man?, What's up with that?, Hey, what's up?, So, what's up? |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal conversations., Forgetting to respond when someone asks back., Confusing it with other greetings like 'How are you?' | Using it in a formal meeting where a respectful greeting is expected., Misunderstanding it as a question requiring a detailed answer., Not responding appropriately with a casual reply. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase in casual conversations with friends or acquaintances. It's not suitable for formal settings. | Used mainly in casual conversations among friends. It may not be appropriate in formal situations. |
Frequently asked questions: How's it going over here vs What's up?
What's the difference between How's it going over here and What's up??
How's it going over here: A casual way to ask someone how they are doing. What's up?: A casual way to ask someone how they are or what's happening.
Can you show an example of each?
How's it going over here: Hey! How's it going over here with the project? What's up?: When I saw my friend, I casually said, 'What's up?'
Can I use How's it going over here and What's up? interchangeably?
Not always. How's it going over here and What's up? are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.