Guide to English grammar

How are you? -Fine, thanks.
How did you like the party? -Oh, it was great.
How are you getting on at college? -Fine, thanks. I'm enjoying it.

NOTE
“What... like?” asks about quality. Sometimes it has a very similar meaning to “How...?” But “What... like?” does not refer to well-being.

How was the film?/ What was the film like?
How's your brother? -Oh, he's fine, thanks.
What's your brother like? -Well, he's much quieter than I am.
What does your brother look like? -He's taller than me, and he's got dark hair.

5 A special pattern with why

Why (not) can come before a noun phrase or a verb.
Why the panic? (= What is the reason for the panic?)
Look at our prices - Why pay more? (= Why should you pay more?)
Why not stay for a while? (= Why don't you stay for a while?)

6 Modifying a question word

1 We can use an adverb to modify a question word or phrase.
When exactly are you coming back?
Just what will tomorrow bring?
About how many people live here?

2 Else has the meaning “other”.

What else should I do? (= What other things ...?)
Who else did you invite? (=What other people ...?)
We can emphasize the question by using on earth.
What on earth will tomorrow bring?
We can also use ever.
Whatever can the matter be?
However did you manage to find us?
Whoever invited that awful man?
This means that the speaker has no idea what the answer is. The emphasis often expresses surprise. The speaker is surprised that someone invited that awful man.


27 Overview: question words

Question word Who, whom What Which Whose Where

Example