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JungKim Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
"how" in the meaning of "that"
Dictionary.com says in its definition of "how":
15. Informal . that: He told us how he was honest and could be trusted.
I'm curious why someone would use "how" when they actually mean simply "that" in informal context.
I mean, they could have said instead: He told us that he was honest and could be trusted.
As a native speaker, do you see any difference in the nuances, however subtle that may be?
15. Informal . that: He told us how he was honest and could be trusted.
I'm curious why someone would use "how" when they actually mean simply "that" in informal context.
I mean, they could have said instead: He told us that he was honest and could be trusted.
As a native speaker, do you see any difference in the nuances, however subtle that may be?
Top answer
1. He told us how he was honest and could be trusted. 2.
- 1.
- He told us how he was honest and could be trusted.
- 2.
- He told us that he was honest and could be trusted.
- The second is simply reported speech.
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4 Answers
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1. He told us how he was honest and could be trusted.
2. He told us that he was honest and could be trusted.
The second is simply reported speech.
The first indicates that he went into some story about the importance of honesty and how many trusted friends he had, etc.
He spent a lot of words telling us about his credentials.
2. He told us that he was honest and could be trusted.
The second is simply reported speech.
The first indicates that he went into some story about the importance of honesty and how many trusted friends he had, etc.
He spent a lot of words telling us about his credentials.
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AlpheccaStars1. He told us how he was honest and could be trusted.2. He told us that he was honest and could be trusted.The second is simply reported speech.The first indicates that he went into some story about the importance of honesty and how many trusted friends he had, etc.He spent a lot of words telling us about his credentials.Is the intrinsic meaning
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JungKim Is the intrinsic meaning of "how" still at work even in such context?If it is, why would most dictionaries specifically say that "how" has the meaning of "that" in such context?Yes, I'd say the basic meaning of "how" figures in to some extent. But he isn't actually telling anybody "how" he is honest, he is telling them about his honesty. That's how di
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There is enough difference in meaning to give a citation.
He told us how we should dress for the party. (what manner of dress)
He told us how he caught a 12-pound bass, but it got away. ("that")
.He told us that he caught a 12-pound bass, but it got away.
If I used "how" I would convey the idea that this was just another fisherman's tall tale, and I was skeptical. I do
He told us how we should dress for the party. (what manner of dress)
He told us how he caught a 12-pound bass, but it got away. ("that")
.He told us that he caught a 12-pound bass, but it got away.
If I used "how" I would convey the idea that this was just another fisherman's tall tale, and I was skeptical. I do
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