Complete Guide to Using “How come + (subject + verb)” in English

The phrase “How come” is an informal way to ask why something happened or is happening. It expresses curiosity or surprise about a situation.

“How come” Usage Examples

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	How come parents worry so much?	माता-पिता इतना चिंता क्यों करते हैं?
2	How come people carpool to work?	लोग ऑफिस कारपूल में क्यों जाते हैं?
3	How come you are so upset?	तुम इतने परेशान क्यों हो?
4	How come he will not call you?	वह तुम्हें कॉल क्यों नहीं करेगा?
5	How come you stayed out so late?	तुम इतनी देर से बाहर क्यों रहे?
6	How come you cannot make a decision?	तुम कोई फैसला क्यों नहीं कर पा रहे?
7	How come you always question me?	तुम मुझसे हमेशा सवाल क्यों करते हो?
8	How come we never agree?	हम कभी सहमत क्यों नहीं होते?
9	How come your dog digs in the yard?	तुम्हारा कुत्ता यार्ड में क्यों खोदता है?
10	How come she will not come over?	वह यहाँ क्यों नहीं आएगी?

Expanded Usage Examples

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
11	How come the store is closed today?	आज दुकान बंद क्यों है?
12	How come you know so much about this?	तुम्हें इसके बारे में इतना क्यों पता है?
13	How come they left without saying goodbye?	वे बिना अलविदा कहे क्यों चले गए?
14	How come the flight got delayed?	फ्लाइट देरी से क्यों है?
15	How come nobody told me about this?	मुझे कोई यह बात क्यों नहीं बताया?

Alternative Expressions

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	Why is it that…?	ऐसा क्यों है कि…?
2	What’s the reason…?	…की वजह क्या है?
3	How is it that…?	यह कैसे हुआ कि…?

Key Grammar Rules

Structure:

• “How come” + subject + verb
  •  Correct: “How come she left early?”
  •  Incorrect: “How come did she leave early?”

Common Errors:

 “How come you to go there?” (Wrong verb form)
 “How come you went there?”

 “How come doesn’t he know?” (Incorrect negative)
 “How come he doesn’t know?”

Cultural Usage Notes

Conversation Style:

• Used in casual, informal conversations
• Common among friends and family

Indian Context:

• Often translated as “ऐसा क्यों?” or “कैसे हुआ?”
• May be softened with “जी” (ji) for respect (“How come ji you didn’t come?”)

Professional Use:

• More formal alternative: “Could you explain why…?”