How to use HOW COME…?

How to use HOW COME…?

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HOW COME is a common expression in English. It’s an informal way of asking a question – but not all questions can be asked using this form.

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We use HOW COME when we want to ask WHY something happened. It is used in informal questions. Take a look at these examples:

1. “How come you didn’t go to the party last weekend?”

“I didn’t go because I was feeling ill.”

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2. “How come he is going to give a speech at the wedding?”

“Because he is the father of the bride, so it is traditional for him to give a speech.”

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3. “Your clothes are soaking wet! How come?”

“Because it is raining heavily outside.”

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4. “How come your English is getting so much better?”

“I’ve started using DailyStep lessons!”

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.You can see that the word order in these sentences is different from the usual question structure, becausethe subject and the verb are not inverted.

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It is incorrect to say: How come didn’t you go…?

How come is he going to give…?

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.But if we start the sentence with WHY, then we need to invert the word order. Look at these examples:

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1. Why didn’t you go to the party last weekend?

2. Why is he going to give a speech at the wedding?

3. Why are your clothes soaking wet?

4. Why is your English getting so much better?

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So, how come we use the phrase HOW COME? What are its origins? 

The phrasal verb COME ABOUT in English means HAPPEN – so the question

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“How did it come about that you didn’t go to the party?” means the same as

“How come you didn’t go to the party?”

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See? It’s simple! Now, write some sentences using HOW COME. Make sure they are true to your own life if possible, as this will help you to remember them better. ( Jane Lawson)