Why do we say "How's things?" but not "How're things?"

[ngoc_lan]

Why do we say "How's things?" but not "How're things?"
Are there any similar sentences like this?

[susiedq]

the structure is : things / are going / (well or bad)

Things are going well at work.


'How's things?" really means "how's life?" and is an informal greeting.

[ngoc_lan]

Is it often used in spoken English? I've read some "How's things?" in some English textbook and I wonder if it is popular or not.
Is it OK if I say it when talking to friends or relatives?

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER


(1) As the other posters told you, the "'good" English is: How are things?

(2) But native speakers speak fast (in your language, too?), so it is OK to

say "How's things?" BUT it is not OK to say "How is things?"

(3) You can say:

There are 50 states.

There's 50 states.

BUT you cannot say "There is 50 states."

("There're 50 states" is correct but too difficult to pronounce.)

(4) Please remember that "How's things?" and "There's 50 states" are OK in

informal English. Do not use them in formal English, such as reports that you write

in school.

[ngoc_lan]

Thanks. Your answers are very useful to me!