How I wonder what you are!

Question

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,How I wonder what you are!Up above the world so high,Like a diamond in the sky!"How" is an adverb here. I don't know in what sense it's used above. Could you please help me to choose the definition?how: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/how

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Of those choices, I'd choose : to what degree or extent

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

CliveHi,Of those choices, I'd choose : to what degree or extent Clive

How I wonder what you are!

Thanks, Clive.

How would you replace "How" in the sentence with your chosen meaning? Should there be a degree or extent associated with 'wondering' about something? I believe there could be a degree but you have to quantify it then such as in 'I wonder a lot about his drowning in the river'. I suppose "a lot" here is degree or extent of 'wonderment' and it quantifies the degree or extent. The meaning would completely change if were said 'I wonder very little about his drowning in the river'. Please guide me. Thank you.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

You seem to be answering your own questions adequately.

When we use 'how' like this in an exclamation, it usually stresses a high degree.
eg How I love you! means 'I love you very much, to a great extent.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

CliveYou seem to be answering your own questions adequately.

If you think so then it's only because of you people who have always helped me in my every English learning trouble!

"to what degree or extent" - Then, I would say the definition seems to confuse me. I'd like it to be 'to a high/great degree or extent'. What do you say? Please let me know.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

As I said, when we use 'how' like this in an exclamation, it usually stresses a high degree.
eg How I love you! means 'I love you very much, to a great extent.

If you want to say it explicitly, say (a bit awkwardly)

eg To what a high degree I love you!

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

I'm sorry, Clive, I have to ask it again. I hope you won't mind my asking again.

In "to what degree or exten", "what" is an adjective? modifying "degree". What definition of "what" fits here best?

what (adjective)

1 a — used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of a person, object, or matter what minerals do we export* b : how remarkable or striking for good or bad qualities — used especially in exclamatory utterances and dependent clauses *what mountains* *remember what fun we had* *what a suggestion* *what a charming girl
2 a (1) : WHATEVER 1a (2) : ANY ornament of what description soever* b : the...that : as much or as many...as *rescued what survivors they found
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

Please let me know. Thanks a lot.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Seems like 1a.

Clive

How I wonder what you are!

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