What is how? Pronunciation and usage in English

how means . Learn how to pronounce and use how through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of how

howadverb

/haʊ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "how" in English. It's a common stumbling block for learners!

There are actually two common pronunciations, and which one you use depends on context:

1. The "How" as in "How are you?" (Most Common)

Sound: This is the pronunciation most people hear and use. It's pronounced like "hau".
Breakdown:
- "hau": It's a short, quick "a" sound, like in the word "cat." Think of a very brief, almost breathy "a."
- Stress: The stress is on the "hau" part.

2. The "How" as in "How much?" (Less Common, but Important)

Sound: This pronunciation is a bit different. It's pronounced like "hah" (with a slightly drawn-out "ah" sound).
Breakdown:
- "hah": It's a longer, more sustained "ah" sound.
- Stress: The stress is on the "hah" part.

Here's a table to summarize:

Pronunciation	Sound	Example
Common	"hau"	"How are you?"
Less Common	"hah"	"How much?"

Resources to Listen and Practice:

Google Audio: Simply search "how pronunciation" on Google, and it will play both pronunciations.
Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/how/ – This website has native speakers saying both versions.
YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce how” and you’ll find plenty of audio and visual tutorials.

Tips for Learning:

Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to how native speakers say "how" in different contexts.
Record Yourself: Record yourself saying "how," and compare it to a native speaker’s pronunciation.
Focus on the Vowel Sound: The vowel sound is the key difference between the two pronunciations.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

In what context are you trying to use the word "how"? (e.g., asking a question, referring to a method)

Usage and examples with the word how in English

Let's break down how to use the word "how" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a comprehensive guide, broken down into categories:

1. Asking for Information (Most Common Use)

As an interrogative adverb (question word): This is the most common use. "How" is used to ask how something was done, how something is, or how someone feels.
- How did you do that? (Asking about the process)
- How is your sister? (Asking about her condition)
- How much does this cost? (Asking about the price)
- How often do you go to the gym? (Asking about frequency)
- How long did it take? (Asking about duration)
- How are you feeling? (Asking about emotional state)

2. Introducing a Clause of Manner

Following a verb (especially linking verbs like be, seem, feel, look, sound): This specifies how something is.
- She sings how a professional. (Describes how she sings – with skill and training.)
- He looks how he feels – tired. (Describes how he looks – tired.)
- The cake tastes how it smells – delicious! (Describes how the cake tastes – deliciously.)
- The room feels how it should. (Describes how the room feels – comfortably.)

3. As a Particle (Often with Verbs like get)

“How” as a small, unstressed word: Often used after verbs like get, become, seem to describe a change or state. It’s almost like an adverbial modifier.
- He got how she looked. (Meaning: He became like she looked - perhaps mimicking her style or appearance.) - This usage is a bit less common and can sound slightly awkward in modern English. It’s often better to rephrase. For example: "He became like her" or "He started to look like her.”

4. Expressing Surprise or Inquiry (Less Formal)

Informal exclamation: Sometimes used to express surprise or a genuine inquiry. (Similar to “Really?” or “How?”)
- How amazing! (Expressing amazement)
- How are you managing? (Showing concern and asking about progress)

Tips and Considerations

Capitalization: "How" is not capitalized unless it starts a sentence.
Word Order: When used to ask a question, "How" usually comes at the beginning of the sentence or clause.
Alternatives: Depending on the context, you might use alternative words to ask for information: What, When, Where, Why, Which, Who.

Examples Combining Different Uses

“How did you manage to finish all that work?” (Asking for information - interrogative adverb)
“The music sounds how it was recorded – clear and vibrant.” (Introducing a clause of manner after “sounds”)
“He got how she talked – confident and engaging." (Using "how" as a particle after "got" - Again, consider rephrasing for clarity)

Resources for Further Learning:

Grammarly Blog: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-use-how/
Perfect English Grammar: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/how-to-use-how.html

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

What kind of situation are you trying to use "how" in? (e.g., writing an essay, speaking conversationally, etc.)
Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word how

Idioms of the word how

how about…?

used when asking for information about somebody/something

I'm not going. How about you?

(especially North American English)used to make a suggestion

How about a break?
How about going for a meal?
How about we go for a meal?

how can/could you!

(informal)used to show that you think somebody’s behaviour is very bad or are very surprised by it

Ben! How could you? After all they've done for us!
Ugh! How can you eat that stuff?

how come (…)?

used to say you do not understand how something can happen and would like an explanation

‘I think you owe me some money.’ ‘How come?’
If she spent five years in Paris, how come her French is so bad?

how do you do

(old-fashioned)used as a formal greeting when you meet somebody for the first time. The usual reply is also How do you do?

how’s that?

used to ask the reason for something

‘I left work early today.’ ‘How's that (= Why)?’

used when asking somebody’s opinion of something

I'll tuck your sheets in for you. How's that? Comfortable?
Two o'clock on the dot! How's that for punctuality!