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I have been reading a novel (Sometimes it Lasts) for sometime now. And I read something that did not sound natural to me, so here I am to get some help on it.
In the novel:
“Yeah, he did” was Dad’s only response. “How’s things going for you, little girl? That boy still treating you right?”
As per my opinion it should have be:
“Yeah, he did” was Dad’s only response. “How’re things going for you, little girl? That boy still treating you right?”
As her dad was asking about things so there should have be are instead of is. Have I made the sense?
user62015
Posted 2014-06-18T03:16:10.833
Reputation: 3 999
I guess that this usage in the novel is related, if not identical, to the one explained in this question: http://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/26382/what-is-the-purpose-of-using-dont-instead-of-doesnt-in-this-phrase-but-s.
– Damkerng T. – 2014-06-18T03:54:30.017Thank you for your quick response. I will check it soon and if I find anything that I could not understand I will ping you! – user62015 – 2014-06-18T04:02:00.947
@DamkerngT. I have checked the discussion. They were telling that some people do not follow grammar rules. And it is a part of a non-standard English. I have asked because I wanted to know, was it completely right to use "is" with "things" or it should have be "how are things"? – user62015 – 2014-06-18T10:15:14.340
1I think it's better to avoid mixing up Standard with right or correct (and by the same token, Non-Standard with wrong or incorrect). Normally, we say "How are things ...?" in standard English. – Damkerng T. – 2014-06-18T10:22:06.640
@DamkerngT. Thank you so much! I wanted to hear that. I am done now. I always use "are" with "things" and I will keep it going. By the way when do you sleep? When I went to bed last night (as per my timezone) you were awake and you are still here!!! Just kidding. I appreciate your work and dedication to it. – user62015 – 2014-06-18T10:28:25.093