Basic English: 4 types of HOW questions

Main Ideas

Alex explains four common question patterns that use “how.”

1. How + adjective

Use this pattern to ask about a quality or degree.

Examples:

• “How old are you?”
• “How hot is it?”
• “How serious is he?”
• “How difficult was the test?”

To practise, choose adjectives and form questions with them.

2. How + adverb

Use this pattern to ask about the manner or frequency of an action.

Examples:

• “How often do you call your mom?”
• “How well do you know him?”
• “How quickly can you finish this?”
• “How quietly can you speak?”

3. How many + plural count noun

Use this pattern to ask about the number of things that can be counted.

Examples:

• “How many people are here today?”
• “How many websites do you visit?”
• “How many books do you read?”

4. How much + noncount noun

Use this pattern to ask about the quantity of something treated as uncountable.

Examples:

• “How much time do you have?”
• “How much tea do you drink?”
• “How much English do you study?”

Counting units does not make the underlying substance or concept countable. For example, people count minutes or cups, not “time” or tea itself.

Additional Expressions

• “How goes?” is an informal, shortened way to ask “How is it going?” or “How are you doing?”
• “How dare you?” expresses shock or insult at someone’s behavior or words.

Scope of the Lesson

The lesson focuses on these patterns rather than covering every possible “how” question. Questions using modal verbs, such as “How can you know that?”, and questions in different tenses generally follow the same structures as other wh- questions.

Speakers and Sources

• Alex — the instructor and sole speaker in the subtitles.
• engVid — the learning resource and quiz website mentioned.
• Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube — platforms Alex mentions for following him and subscribing.