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how

how

1.0
Introduces a part of a sentence that shows the way or degree something happens
  • subordinating conjunction
  • /haʊ/
translation icon : cómo
  • And if it can, how do we stay safe then?

And so, you know, they know how to create debt.

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Examples

  • And then I thought, how would we find out?

  • And so today we're going to learn how to have no regrets.

  • So how did you learn how to use debt?

  • OK, so how do we, how do we approach this?

  • OK, First of all, how do you deal with that?

  • Going back to the mental health piece, how is your mental health now?

  • It helps you learn how to deal with trauma.

  • This week I'm just vlogging my week on how I survive in school.

  • I want to know how we can improve our communication skills.

  • Can you explain how the process works step by step?

Idioms

and how
  • Informal
250 8.6

Shows that you agree strongly with what someone says

how do you do
  • Formal
86 6.1

A formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time that does not need an answer

51 3.2

Something is true whatever way it happens

To ask someone how old they are

19 5.1

To ask someone to explain how or why something is true

how goes it
  • Archaic
2 8.5

To ask someone how they are when you meet them

People say it to boast about something they or someone else did

any old how
  • Informal
8.8

In a careless, messy way

God knows how
  • Informal
8.6

In a way that no one can explain

9.9

A friendly informal greeting that asks how someone is doing

9.4

To ask someone how their work or task is going

9.9

To ask how a situation is going, often as a joke about time passing

Say this when you cannot give a clear answer because it depends on things you do not know

9.9

A joking way to say roles have been switched

9.9

Show strong anger and disbelief at someone's words or actions

A fact stays true whatever way you look at it

Give advice to someone who already knows more than you

Compounds

136 4.1

Practical skill and experience for doing technical tasks

how-do-you-do
  • Formal
8.2

A polite, formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time

how-do-you-do
  • Archaic
9.3

An awkward or difficult situation that causes trouble

how-d'ye-do
  • Archaic
9.9

An awkward problem that causes a fuss

Surface Forms

how main

Etymology

How comes from the old English meaning 'in what way', and it naturally became the small word that introduces clauses explaining the way or degree something happens. So how is used to start parts of a sentence that tell the method or amount.