English Profile

how · adverb

/hɑʊ/Full view

How are you?

A1 used to ask someone if they are well and happy

Dictionary example:

"Hi, Maya, how are you?" "Fine, thanks, how are you?"

Learner example:

Dear Ramesh, How are you? (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

how (QUANTITY)

A1 used to ask or talk about quantity, size, age, etc.

Dictionary examples:

Do you know how many people are coming?

How much was that dress?

How often do you have violin lessons?

How big is the house?

How old are they?

Learner example:

How much does it cost? (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Polish)

How about...?

A2 used to make a suggestion

Dictionary examples:

How about some lunch?

How about seeing a movie?

Learner example:

How about going on Monday evening? (Key English Test; A2; Arabic)

how (WAY)

A2 used to ask or talk about the way something happens or is done

Dictionary examples:

How do we get to the mall from here?

How did you hear about the concert?

How does this machine work?

Shelley doesn't know how to ride a bicycle.

How can/could he be so stupid?

I don't know how anyone could think that way.

Learner example:

How did you know I liked skateboards? (Key English Test; A2; Turkish)

how (HEALTH)

A2 used to ask about someone's health

Dictionary examples:

How is your mother?

How are you feeling this morning?

Learner example:

How are you feeling? I hope you are feeling better. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Spanish)

how (EXPERIENCE)

B1 used to ask or talk about what an experience or event was like

Dictionary examples:

How was your flight?

How did you like the concert?

Learner example:

How was your birthday? (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

how (EMPHASIZE)

B1 used for emphasis

Dictionary examples:

I can't tell you how happy I am that you came.

How nice to see you!

I was amazed at how quickly she finished.

Learner example:

It's quite amazing how quickly she could change my reason to learn English. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Slovak)

How about ...?

B1 used to ask someone for a suggestion, opinion, or fact

Dictionary examples:

Okay, so hot dogs for the kids - how about the grownups?

I don't have any pets - how about you?

Learner example:

I don't like shopping with my mum because she wants me to wear weird clothes. How about you? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

How do you do?

A2 a formal greeting for someone that you have not met before

Dictionary example:

"I'm Jack Stewart." "How do you do? I'm Angela Black."

Learner example:

How do you do? My name is Tom. I'm a Chinese. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

How dare she/you, etc.

C1 used to express anger about something someone has done

Dictionary example:

How dare you talk to me like that!

Learner example:

How dare you call that high standards?! (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Danish)

how far

C1 used to talk about how true something is

Dictionary example:

How far do politicians represent the views of ordinary people?

Learner example:

How far and to what extent would the characteristics we are born with influence our future development in life? (International English Language Testing System; C1; Chinese)

How strange/silly/good, etc., is that?

C2 said to mean that something is strange/silly, etc.

Dictionary example:

I found my keys in the fridge - how silly is that?

Learner example:

I was astonished to find no Barbie or Lilou dolls in her room - she played only with computer-like devices and her automatic bike. Now, how peculiar is that? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

how come

C1 used to ask why or how something has happened

Dictionary example:

How come you didn't go to the party?

Learner example:

Off the record: How come that your reporter can print such lies, knowing they are perhaps hurting certain people in this important matter? (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Danish)