 |
| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | hu |
| |||||||||
how S1 W1
1 used to ask or talk about the way in which something happens or is done : How do you spell your name? How can I help you? I'd like to help in some way, but I'm not sure how. He explained how the system worked. We both used to work at the airport - that's how we met.
How do you spell your name?How can I help you?I'd like to help in some way, but I'm not sure how.He explained how the system worked.We both used to work at the airport - that's how we met. how on earth/in the world etc (=used for emphasis when you are surprised, angry etc) How on earth did you find out?
How on earth did you find out?2 used to ask or talk about the amount, size, degree etc of something : How big is the state of Louisiana? How many kids do they have now? How long have you been learning English? Do you know how old it is? They couldn't tell exactly how far away the bridge was. She wondered how much Angela already knew.
How big is the state of Louisiana?How many kids do they have now?How long have you been learning English?Do you know how old it is?They couldn't tell exactly how far away the bridge was.She wondered how much Angela already knew.3 spoken
a) used to ask about someone's health, especially when you meet them : 'Hi Laurie, how are you?' 'Fine, thanks. How are you?' Has Ros had the baby yet? How is she? 'How's your ankle this morning?' 'Better, thanks.'
'Hi Laurie, how are you?' 'Fine, thanks. How are you?'Has Ros had the baby yet? How is she?'How's your ankle this morning?' 'Better, thanks.'b) used when you meet someone to ask for news about their life, work etc :
4 used to ask someone about their opinion or experience of something : How was the film? 'How's your steak?' 'Mmm, it's good.' How did your exams go? How do you feel about seeing Peter again? How's that? Does that feel comfortable?
How was the film?'How's your steak?' 'Mmm, it's good.'How did your exams go?How do you feel about seeing Peter again?How's that? Does that feel comfortable?5 used after certain adjectives or verbs to refer to an event or situation : It's amazing how they've managed to get everything finished so quickly. I remember how she always used to have fresh flowers in the house.
It's amazing how they've managed to get everything finished so quickly.I remember how she always used to have fresh flowers in the house.6 [+ adjective/adverb] used to emphasize the quality you are mentioning : How lovely to see you! 'John's been in an accident.' 'Oh, how awful!' I didn't realize how difficult it was to get tickets. He was impressed at how well she could read.
How lovely to see you!'John's been in an accident.' 'Oh, how awful!'I didn't realize how difficult it was to get tickets.He was impressed at how well she could read.7 old-fashioned or written used to say that something happens to a very great degree : How the crowd loved it!
How the crowd loved it!8 spoken
how about...?
a) used to make a suggestion about what to do [= what about]: No, I'm busy on Monday. How about Tuesday at seven? How about we have that game when we get back? How about if we tell the police where Newley is hiding?
No, I'm busy on Monday. How about Tuesday at seven?How about we have that game when we get back?How about if we tell the police where Newley is hiding?b) used to ask about another person or thing : 'Mary and Ken are still away.' 'And how about Billy?' I need a long cold drink. How about you?
'Mary and Ken are still away.' 'And how about Billy?'I need a long cold drink. How about you?9 spoken used to ask someone to explain something they have just said : 'What's your family situation?' 'How do you mean?' 'Are you married?'
how do you mean?
'What's your family situation?' 'How do you mean?' 'Are you married?'10 spoken used to ask why something has happened or why a particular situation exists, especially when you are surprised by it : How come Dave's home? Isn't he feeling well?
how come?
informalHow come Dave's home? Isn't he feeling well?12 spoken used when you are very surprised by something or disapprove strongly of something : William! How can you say such a thing? How could anyone be so cruel?
how can/could somebody do something?
William! How can you say such a thing?How could anyone be so cruel?13 spoken in whatever way you like or want : Then you can arrange it how you like.
how you like/want
British English informalThen you can arrange it how you like.14 spoken used when you think something is surprising, rude, impressive etc : He scored two goals! How about that!
how about that!/how do you like that!
He scored two goals! How about that!15 spoken used to say that you think something is very impressive : I've already arranged everything. How's that for efficiency?
how's that for something?
I've already arranged everything. How's that for efficiency?16 spoken
how ... is that?
informala) used to say that an action or event has a particular quality to a great degree : He sent himself a card for Valentine's Day. How sad is that?
He sent himself a card for Valentine's Day. How sad is that?b) used to say that an action or event does not have a particular quality : They say they're not going to leave, but how likely is that?
They say they're not going to leave, but how likely is that?17 spoken used to ask someone to explain an opinion they have given : 'Rick's parents are a little strange, I think.' 'How so?'
how so?
'Rick's parents are a little strange, I think.' 'How so?'18 spoken used to mention something that may happen, and ask what should be done if it does happen : How about if we quit now?
how about if...?
informalHow about if we quit now?19 spoken used to say 'yes' strongly in reply to a question : 'Was Matt drunk?' 'And how!'
and how!
old-fashioned'Was Matt drunk?' 'And how!'