The phrase “It is how it is” occasionally appears in conversations, social media posts, and online forums, leaving many English learners and even native speakers wondering whether it is correct. Some people use it as a variation of the well-known expression “It is what it is,” while others assume both phrases have the same meaning. In reality, they are not equally accepted in standard English, and understanding the difference can help you avoid a common language mistake.
The confusion often happens because the words how and what seem interchangeable at first glance. However, English idioms rely on fixed wording, and changing a single word can alter how natural a phrase sounds. While “It is what it is” has been recognized for decades as an established idiom expressing acceptance of an unchangeable situation, “It is how it is” is generally viewed as a nonstandard variation that appears mainly in informal speech, internet discussions, or humorous contexts.
This guide explores the meaning of “It is how it is,” explains whether it is grammatically correct, compares it with “It is what it is,” and shows you when each expression should—or should not—be used. By the end, you’ll understand the grammar, history, and practical usage of both phrases so you can choose the right one with confidence.
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Quick Answer: What Does “It Is How It Is” Mean?
“It is how it is” is an uncommon expression that generally means:
“That’s simply the way things are.”
People who use it usually want to express acceptance of a situation they cannot change. However, in standard English, the accepted idiom is “It is what it is.”
Quick Facts
| Feature | It Is How It Is | It Is What It Is |
| Common Meaning | That’s the way things are | Accept the situation as it exists |
| Grammar | Understandable but nonstandard | Standard English idiom |
| Formal Writing | Not recommended | Acceptable in informal and some professional writing |
| Everyday Speech | Rare | Very common |
| Dictionary Recognition | Generally not listed as an idiom | Widely recognized idiom |
Quick Examples
✅ Standard:
It is what it is. We’ll just have to move forward.
⚠️ Nonstandard:
It is how it is.
Although most people understand the intended meaning, the second version sounds unusual to native English speakers because it changes a fixed expression.
What Does “It Is How It Is” Mean?
Dictionary-Style Definition
Unlike “It is what it is,” the phrase “It is how it is” is not recognized as a standard English idiom in major dictionaries.
When people say it, they usually mean:
“This situation exists exactly as it does, and we have to accept it.”
In other words, they are expressing resignation or acceptance.
For example:
We can’t change the weather. It is how it is.
Most editors, however, would recommend replacing this with:
We can’t change the weather. It is what it is.
Literal Meaning
If you analyze the sentence word by word, “It is how it is” literally means:
The situation exists in the manner that it exists.
Grammatically, the sentence can be understood because how refers to the manner in which something exists.
However, English speakers rarely express this idea using this wording.
That’s why the phrase often sounds awkward.
Intended Meaning in Conversation
Most people who say “It is how it is” actually intend one of these meanings:
- That’s just the way things are.
- We can’t change it.
- We have to accept reality.
- There’s nothing we can do.
- That’s simply how life works.
These ideas are perfectly natural in English.
The wording simply differs.
Why People Use the Phrase
Several factors explain why this variation appears.
Some speakers:
- Misremember the original idiom.
- Translate directly from another language.
- Assume how and what have similar meanings.
- Intentionally change the phrase for emphasis.
- Use it humorously.
On social media, language evolves quickly, so nonstandard expressions sometimes become popular even if they are not grammatically preferred.
Is “It Is How It Is” Grammatically Correct?
This question has two different answers depending on whether you’re discussing grammar or idiomatic English.
Grammar Analysis
From a purely grammatical perspective, the sentence is understandable.
Every word functions correctly.
- It = subject
- is = linking verb
- how it is = complement
So the sentence isn’t completely ungrammatical.
The issue is that English normally expresses this idea differently.
Why Native Speakers Rarely Use It
Native speakers learn many expressions as complete units rather than building them word by word.
Examples include:
- Better late than never.
- Once in a blue moon.
- Break the ice.
- It is what it is.
Changing one word often makes the expression sound unnatural.
Imagine saying:
❌ Better delayed than never.
The meaning remains understandable.
But it no longer sounds like natural English.
The same principle applies to:
❌ It is how it is.
Is It a Fixed Expression?
No.
Unlike “It is what it is,” the phrase “It is how it is” has not become a recognized English idiom.
Because it isn’t fixed, dictionaries and style guides generally do not list it as a standard expression.
Is It Considered Nonstandard English?
Yes.
Most editors, teachers, and language experts consider “It is how it is” a nonstandard variant rather than standard English.
That doesn’t mean nobody says it.
It simply means it isn’t the preferred wording in formal or edited writing.
It Is How It Is vs. It Is What It Is
This is where much of the confusion begins.
Although the two expressions appear similar, one has become an established idiom while the other has not.
Which Expression Is Correct?
The accepted expression is:
It is what it is.
This idiom appears in:
- Books
- Newspapers
- Academic discussions
- Business communication
- Television interviews
- Everyday conversation
By contrast, “It is how it is” appears mostly in informal online communication or as an intentional variation.
Meaning Comparison
Both expressions usually communicate acceptance.
However, one sounds natural.
The other sounds unusual.
It is what it is
Meaning:
Accept the situation because it cannot be changed.
It is how it is
Intended meaning:
That’s simply the way things are.
The meanings overlap considerably.
The difference lies in standard usage.
Usage Differences
Consider these examples.
Natural:
The project was canceled. It is what it is.
Unnatural:
The project was canceled. It is how it is.
Natural:
We lost the game. It is what it is.
Unnatural:
We lost the game. It is how it is.
Native speakers overwhelmingly prefer the first version.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion exists because:
- Both begin with It is.
- Both express acceptance.
- Both contain simple words.
- Social media spreads language variations quickly.
- Some languages translate similar expressions differently.
As a result, many English learners encounter “It is how it is” online before learning the standard idiom.
Comparison Table: It Is How It Is vs. It Is What It Is
| Feature | It Is How It Is | It Is What It Is |
| Grammar | Understandable | Standard idiomatic English |
| Dictionary Recognition | Rare | Widely recognized |
| Common Usage | Uncommon | Extremely common |
| Formal Writing | Avoid | Occasionally acceptable |
| Everyday Conversation | Rare | Frequently used |
| Professional Communication | Not recommended | Sometimes appropriate |
| Sounds Natural | Usually no | Yes |
| Best Choice | Only in informal or humorous contexts | Most situations |
The Origin of “It Is What It Is” and Why “It Is How It Is” Appeared
Understanding the history of these expressions makes the difference much clearer.
History of the Standard Expression
The phrase “It is what it is” has existed in English for decades.
Although similar wording appeared earlier, the expression became especially popular during the second half of the twentieth century.
People used it to express calm acceptance of situations beyond their control.
Today, you’ll hear it in:
- Business meetings
- Sports interviews
- Political discussions
- Everyday conversations
- Television programs
- Podcasts
Its popularity comes from its simplicity.
Instead of arguing about reality, the phrase encourages acceptance.
How the Variant Developed
The variation “It is how it is” appears to have developed through informal speech and internet communication rather than through traditional published English.
Unlike the standard idiom, it has no widely recognized historical tradition.
Most examples appear in:
- Social media posts
- Online comments
- Casual conversations
- Humorous memes
- Informal discussions
Because people often modify familiar expressions for emphasis or humor, variants like this naturally emerge over time.
Social Media and Internet Influence
The internet has accelerated the spread of nonstandard expressions.
People frequently:
- Combine similar phrases.
- Shorten idioms.
- Replace words with synonyms.
- Create humorous variations.
As these expressions circulate online, they sometimes become temporarily popular despite not being considered standard English.
“It is how it is” is one example of this trend.
Modern Usage Trends
Today, “It is what it is” remains the overwhelmingly preferred expression in books, newspapers, magazines, business writing, and everyday speech.
Meanwhile, “It is how it is” continues to appear occasionally in informal online conversations, but it has not replaced the standard idiom or gained the same level of acceptance.
For clear, natural, and professional communication, “It is what it is” remains the better choice in nearly every situation.
FAQs
What does “It is how it is” mean?
“It is how it is” is an uncommon expression that generally means “That’s the way things are” or “We have to accept the situation as it exists.” People often use it to express resignation or acceptance when they believe nothing can be changed.
However, the standard English idiom is “It is what it is,” which conveys the same idea more naturally.
Is “It is how it is” grammatically correct?
The sentence is grammatically understandable, but it is not a standard English idiom. Native English speakers rarely use it because the established expression is “It is what it is.” In formal writing, academic work, and professional communication, you should use the standard idiom instead.
Should I say “It is how it is” or “It is what it is”?
You should almost always say “It is what it is.” It is the recognized and widely accepted idiom in modern English. “It is how it is” may be understood by readers or listeners, but it often sounds awkward or nonstandard.
Correct:
It is what it is. We have to move on.
Less Natural:
It is how it is. We have to move on.
Why do people say “It is how it is”?
People use “It is how it is” for several reasons:
- They mistakenly remember the original idiom.
- They confuse how and what.
- They translate a similar expression from another language.
- They intentionally change the phrase for humor or emphasis.
- They have seen it used on social media or online forums.
In most cases, the speaker intends the same meaning as “It is what it is.”
Can I use “It is how it is” in formal writing?
No. It is best to avoid “It is how it is” in formal writing because it is not considered a standard English expression. In business documents, academic papers, professional emails, and published content, use “It is what it is” or another clear alternative such as:
- That’s the way things are.
- We have to accept the situation.
- Nothing can be done about it.
Is “It is how it is” an idiom?
No. “It is how it is” is not recognized as a standard English idiom by major dictionaries or style guides. It is generally viewed as a nonstandard variation of the well-established idiom “It is what it is.”
Is “It is what it is” the correct expression?
Yes. “It is what it is” is the correct and widely accepted expression. It has been used for decades to express acceptance of an unavoidable situation and appears in books, newspapers, interviews, and everyday conversations.
What are some alternatives to “It is what it is”?
If you want to avoid repeating the idiom, consider these natural alternatives:
- That’s just the way things are.
- Such is life.
- That’s life.
- That’s the way it goes.
- We have to accept it.
- Nothing can be done about it.
- We have to make the best of it.
- It can’t be changed.
These expressions communicate a similar sense of acceptance while adding variety to your writing and speech.
Conclusion
Although “It is how it is” may seem like a logical expression, it is not the standard phrase used in modern English. Most native speakers, editors, and style guides prefer “It is what it is,” a well-established idiom that expresses acceptance of a situation that cannot be changed. While the nonstandard version is understandable, it often sounds awkward because it changes the wording of a fixed expression that English speakers have used for decades.
If your goal is to write or speak naturally, choose “It is what it is” in almost every situation. It works well in everyday conversations, interviews, blogs, and even some professional settings when you want to acknowledge reality without dwelling on circumstances beyond your control. On the other hand, “It is how it is” is best avoided in formal writing, academic work, business communication, and any context where clear, standard English is expected.
The easiest way to remember the difference is to think of “It is what it is” as a complete idiom that should not be altered. Like many common English expressions, changing one word makes it sound unfamiliar to native speakers, even if the intended meaning remains clear. By understanding the grammar, history, and usage of these phrases, you can communicate more confidently, avoid a common language mistake, and choose the expression that sounds natural in every situation.
Hi, I’m Joseph Henery — the voice behind Grammar Orbits. I help students and writers master grammar with easy explanations, practical tips, and a love for clear communication.
