how
ways of doing things
You use how in questions and explanations when you are talking about the way something is done.
How do you spell his name?
Tell me how to get there.
This is how I make a vegetable curry.
Be careful
Don't use ‘how’ to mean ‘in the way that’. For example, don't say ‘He walks to work every day, how his father did’. Instead you use like, as, or the way.
Don't use ‘how’ to mean ‘in the way that’. For example, don't say ‘He walks to work every day, how his father did’. Instead you use like, as, or the way.
➜ See like - as - the way
asking about someone's health
You use how with be to ask about someone's health.
How are you?
How is she? All right?
Be careful
Don't use ‘how’ to ask what kind of person someone is. For example, if you are asking someone for a description of their boss, don't say ‘How is your boss?’ Say ‘What is your boss like?’
Don't use ‘how’ to ask what kind of person someone is. For example, if you are asking someone for a description of their boss, don't say ‘How is your boss?’ Say ‘What is your boss like?’
What's his mother like?
asking about impressions
You use how with be to ask whether someone likes or enjoys something or not.
How was your trip?
How was the smoked trout?
Be careful
Don't use ‘how’ to ask for a description of a thing or place. For example, if you say ‘How is Birmingham?’, you are not asking someone what kind of place Birmingham is; you are asking them if they are enjoying living or working there. If you want them to give you a description of Birmingham, you say ‘What is Birmingham like?’
Don't use ‘how’ to ask for a description of a thing or place. For example, if you say ‘How is Birmingham?’, you are not asking someone what kind of place Birmingham is; you are asking them if they are enjoying living or working there. If you want them to give you a description of Birmingham, you say ‘What is Birmingham like?’
What is Fiji like?
Be careful
Don't say ‘How do you think of Birmingham?’ Say ‘What do you think of Birmingham?’
Don't say ‘How do you think of Birmingham?’ Say ‘What do you think of Birmingham?’
What do you think of his writing style?
What did you think of Tokyo?
commenting on a quality
People often use how with an adjective when they are commenting on what someone has just said.
‘She has a house there as well.’ – ‘How nice!’
‘To my surprise, I found her waiting for me at the station.’ – ‘How kind!’