Key Difference: Usually, we use the word How and What to ask about something. These two are the most used questions in the English language. The term “how” refers to know the manner of doing something. Whereas, “What” is used to find out something. These questions seek different types of answers. In this useful post, we will see the explanations of how/when/where to use these questions in English. Let’s see them one by one.
How: I have no idea how to finish the task.
What: What kind of things do you want to buy?
 |  |
How:
It shows the manner of something.
As we said earlier, the question “How” is used to know the manner of doing some work. In other words, with the help of this question, we will get to know by what method something happened. Let’s see an example to make it clear. Jacob said I want to learn how to swim in the river. From this statement, we might understand that Jacob wants to learn to swim. Here, we come up with another example for your reference. Let me show you how to catch the ball. From this sentence, we might understand that someone said that he/she will show you how to catch the ball while playing.
How Do We Spell the Word How?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word How is haʊ. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllables are phonological building blocks of words. It divides the words into parts that can help you read words more accurately. Let’s see how to split the word affect using syllables. Learning syllables can also help you to spell words correctly.
- The word “How” has only one syllable.
- It cannot be divided.
Using “How” in sentences:
- I really don’t know how to draw this picture.
- How are you, Ronnie?
- Please tell me, how to go there?
- He asked his mom, how to cook a meal.
- How much does it cost?
What:
To specify something.
The question “what” gives the answer about some situation or description of something. We can also use it to know the reason for something. Whenever you want to ask about a situation, the cost of something, or something being capable of doing something. Let’s see an example to make it clear. We usually ask someone, what’s your name? It gives the name of someone that we meet in person. Here, we come up with one more example to make it simple for you. What are you reading in the newspaper? From this question, we understand someone asked someone what he/she is reading right now.
How Do We Spell the Word What?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word What is wɒt. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “What” by syllables.
- The word “What” has only one syllable.
- It cannot be divided.
Using “What” in sentences:
- What is that?
- I don’t care what she tell.
- What’s the purpose of it?
- She doesn’t know what to do.
- What is your favorite food?
Compare: How Vs What
This table will show you the contradiction between the words How and What.
| How | What | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It refers to the method to do something. | It is the reason behind something happened. |
| Synonyms | In what way, by what method, In what manner, show how. | Therefore, for which reason? |
| Parts of Speech | Adverb | Adverb or pronoun |
| Etymology | Old English hū, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoe, also to who and what. | Old English hwæt, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wat and German was, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin quod. |
| Examples | How was your day? I asked how to turn on the machine. How to open it? This is how I made this pot. Do you know how to speak with others? | What will you do? Do what I say. What happened to you? I know what to do. This is what I need. |
Resources and References:
Resources: Cambridge Dictionary (How, What), Merriam-Webster (How, What), Collins Dictionary (How, What), Dictionary.com (How, What)
Reference: Dictionary.Cambridge.org[1], Merriam-Webster.com[2], CollinsDictionary.com[3], Dictionary.com[4].