How/the way

Question

Which are correct:1) I arranged the flowers the way you like.2)  I arranged the flowers the way you like it.3)  I arranged the flowers the way you like them.4) I arranged the flowers how you like.5)  I arranged the flowers how you like it.6)  I arranged the flowers how you like them.Gratefully,Navi

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

1) I arranged the flowers the way you like. [ok]

2) I arranged the flowers the way you like it.

3) I arranged the flowers the way you like them. (unnatural)

The others do not work for me.

CalifJim · Answer

navitasan
Which are correct:
1) I arranged the flowers the way you like.
2) I arranged the flowers the way you like it.
3) I arranged the flowers the way you like them.

4) I arranged the flowers how you like.
5) I arranged the flowers how you like it.
6) I arranged the flowers how you like them.

Number 1 is pretty good; number 2 doesn't work; I think number 3 works, but that pattern is more appropriate for something like

I cooked the potatoes the way you like them.

Numbers 4–6 won't work. 'as' is more likely than 'how' in that adverbial position.

You can speak as you like. / Not You can speak how you like.
Customize your car as you like. / Not Customize your car how you like.
Feel free to top the pizza as you like. / Not Feel free to top the pizza how you like.

With the substitution of 'as' for 'how' in numbers 4–6, the comments are the same as for numbers 1–3.

CJ

How/the way

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